Want to explore the depths of the dark web but don’t know where to begin? This guide is for you. Keep reading to learn about the top dark web search engines and how to use them to more safely navigate the dark web. And whenever you go online, especially when visiting unfamiliar sites, use a VPN for an additional layer of privacy and security.
Navigating the dark web requires the right tools. Just as you need special browser software to access the dark web, dedicated dark web search engines are needed to explore the unindexed, hidden corners of the web where traditional search engines like Google or Bing can’t take you.
Here are the top dark web search engines to help you find the best dark websites:
Torch is a leading dark web search engine known for its extensive index of .onion sites. Torch stands out for its commitment to user privacy, as it doesn't store search history or collect any user data, ensuring higher anonymity. It also provides uncensored search results without displaying ads, which reduces the risk of encountering malicious links or suspicious sites.
The Dark Search dark web search engine has been praised for its simple interface and strong security features. It stands out for not tracking user activities or saving search histories, ensuring a private browsing experience. Dark Search also delivers unfiltered results and includes a feature that allows users to directly report illegal content.
Not Evil is a popular dark web search engine recognized for its extensive database of “clean” .onion sites that don’t contain illegal content. It’s designed with a strong focus on user privacy, as it does not track search queries or gather any personal information, enhancing anonymity. And it also operates without ads, which can be particularly helpful when navigating the dark web.
Candle is a well-known lightweight and intuitively designed dark web search engine that's ad-free, providing users a distraction-free environment. Like the other dark web search engines, Candle doesn't track user activity or store data, giving users peace of mind about their online activities and anonymity.
DuckDuckGo is a well-known search engine that prioritizes user privacy, making it a popular choice for dark web browsing. It doesn’t track your online activity or personal data, offering a secure, private experience. Although primarily a surface web search engine, it can also access the dark web through its .onion site, making it a great choice for users who want to explore both the surface and dark web more securely.
Haystack is a dark web search engine known for its broad index of uncensored .onion sites and strong privacy protections. Additionally, it features a minimalistic interface without ads, which means you’re less likely to land on dangerous sites or click harmful links.
Ahmia is a versatile search engine that works with both surface web and dark web sites. The company aims to make dark web browsing safer by curating search results to exclude fake or harmful sites, including those harboring malware. Ahmia allows you to search for .onion URLs through their websites on the surface web. However, users must still connect to the dark web to visit these sites through Tor.
The Hidden Wiki functions as the dark web's counterpart to Wikipedia. Although it’s not a search engine, it offers a categorized directory with indexed links to .onion web pages. While the Hidden Wiki isn’t entirely unrestricted, and uses filters to block many dangerous sites, it still lists some dubious sites that other search engines block.
Kilos specializes in locating and accessing dark web markets, many of which are focused on illegal drug trades. Unlike many search engines that avoid the darkest corners of the web, Kilos actively delves into these areas without filtering search results. While this unfiltered approach propelled Kilos to prominence as a top black market search engine, it also makes it a potentially risky gateway to dangerous sites.
A common misconception about the dark web is that it’s the same as the deep web, but this is not the case. The deep web consists of all parts of the web that aren’t indexed by standard search engines like Google. That includes private databases, medical records, academic journals, subscription-based sites, your email account, and other corners of the web that require login credentials to access.
The dark web is just a small piece of the deep web that’s hidden behind multiple layers of encryption, and requires special tools like Tor to access. It's known for providing anonymity and is often associated with illegal activities, though it also hosts forums and marketplaces for legal communications.
Now that we’ve covered the difference between the dark web and deep web, here’s an overview of the dark web’s main features, benefits, and risks:
Anonymity: Using the dark web doesn’t allow people to disappear from the internet entirely, but it does help hide their identity by disguising their IP address and encrypting their internet data—a big draw for whistleblowers, journalists, and political activists looking to find a workaround against surveillance or censorship.
Resources: The dark web provides access to restricted content, specialized research databases, and encrypted communication tools. These resources are valuable for accessing information that may be censored or unavailable on the surface web.
Security risks: It’s just a fact of the dark web that usage comes with significant security risks. The same lack of regulation and oversight that offers anonymity and freedom also means you’re potentially more exposed to malware, scams, and hackers.
To start searching the dark web, you first need the tools to access it, a trustworthy dark web search engine, and finally the know-how to navigate to .onion URLs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to searching the dark web, and doing so more securely:
Download the Tor browser: To access the dark web, download Tor — one of the best web browsers for security and privacy. Tor reroutes your connection through multiple encrypted servers, known as nodes, to help keep users and sites anonymous.
Choose a dark web search engine: The dark web is notoriously difficult to navigate safely without a directory or good search engine. Select a dark web search tool that aligns with your needs to begin your search.
Access dark web URLs: Use your chosen dark web search engine to find and access dark web links. Onion links are typically long, hard-to-remember URLs consisting of random letters and numbers ending in .onion.
Here are the .onion URL examples for a few common websites:
Note: While popular .onion sites may be relatively stable, they’re also subject to sudden changes and outages, reflecting the dynamic and often unstable nature of the dark web. In other words, dark URLs that work one day may not work the next.
Two of the best uncensored search engines are Torch and Haystack. Torch has long been a user favorite for dark web searching, and Haystack claims to have one of the largest collections of dark web websites out there. But unless you’re an expert dark web navigator, we advise using extreme caution when using either one.
Using an uncensored dark web search engine can expose users to substantial risks, including malware, scam sites, and illegal content. The lack of filtering increases the likelihood of encountering dangerous or illegal content, phishing attempts, and other security threats that can compromise your personal information and safety.
Here are some of the dangers you may find via uncensored dark web search engines:
Scam Sites: Using an unrestricted search engine increases the chance of landing on fraudulent sites designed to steal your personal information or money.
Malware: Unfiltered search results can surface websites containing malware that infects your device and steals your data, making website safety vital.
Illegal Content: With a lack of censorship, the possibility of coming across illegal content increases dramatically, ranging from drugs, weapons, gore, and other explicit content.
Phishing Attacks: In some cases, certain websites can try to copy trusted websites to trick you into providing personal information.
While browsing the dark web, it may be all too easy to stumble across illegal content, dangerous pages, and bad actors. However, if you decide to delve into the depths of the dark web, here are some helpful tips to keep you safer:
Use an anonymous browser: Use the well-known Tor browser and keep security settings at the strictest level to help protect you and your privacy.
Don't download or buy anything: Avoid purchasing anything, as this exposes you to malware, scams, and illegal content, and it can put your personal information and security at significant risk.
Keep your systems and software up to date: Checking regularly for system updates (or, better yet, enabling auto-updates) can help fix vulnerabilities that dark web malware may exploit.
Take advantage of directories: Browse a filtered index of .onion URLs to help you avoid unexpected, harmful content.
Avoid following any links: Never click an unknown or unexpected link, as you never know where it might take you — just one click can expose you to illegal content.
Scan the dark web: Use a dark web scanning service to get notified if your personal data is discovered floating around dark web sites.
Use a VPN: Connecting to the dark web with AVG Secure VPN along with Tor can help protect your connection, encrypt your data, and disguise your IP address, helping to keep your activity safer and more secure.
No matter what you’re looking for on the dark web, it's crucial that you safeguard yourself with the highest level of privacy and security. AVG Secure VPN adds an ironclad layer of extra protection, masking your IP address and encrypting your connection to help ensure your online activities, whether you’re on the dark web or not, remain hidden from hackers, snoops, and other bad actors.
Privacy | Report vulnerability | Contact security | License agreements | Modern Slavery Statement | Cookies | Accessibility Statement | Do not sell my info | | All third party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
