Tor Metrics — An Archive Of Historical Data With Interesting Stats
Understanding Onion Links
Onion links are a critical component of the dark web, representing a unique type of URL that is designed to maintain anonymity and privacy for both users and site owners. These links cannot be accessed through standard web browsers and require special software for browsing.
The dark web and the deep web are often used interchangeably, but they’re two distinct concepts. Search engines are integral to the web browsing experience, but only about 10% of all websites are indexed on a typical search engine. The remaining sites, including those on the dark web, won’t show up when you search Google — they can be accessed only with a direct URL, IP address, or deep web search application.
What are Onion Links?
Onion links have a specific domain suffix: .onion. They are part of the Tor network, a system that enables anonymity while browsing the internet.
- Tor Browser: To access onion links, users must use the Tor Browser, which routes internet traffic through multiple servers to conceal users’ locations.
- Privacy Protection: These links are utilized for privacy-focused services, such as secure communication platforms and anonymous marketplaces.
Basically, if a Tor IP leak occurs before you connect to the VPN, your real IP address will be exposed. But if you connect to the VPN before connecting to Tor and an IP leak occurs, only the VPN’s IP address will be exposed. Yes, but you need to take some precautions to avoid cyber threats.
It doesn’t ask for any personal details when signing up either, which is helpful for additional privacy. First, you need to know how to access the dark web, and once you’re in, you can’t just perform a normal Google search. You’ll need a dark web search engine, and we’ve compiled the best ones for you to try.
You could consider the clear or surface web the “top” and visible layer of the internet, easily accessible using a browser such as Safari, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. The area of the internet we access daily is known as the clear or surface web. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews.
How Do Onion Links Work?
Google Feud provides quick and fun Google-themed trivia games. There are different categories — my favorite one is Multiple Choice, where you need to pick the most popular autocomplete answer for a random Google search (like “is it ok to swim with …”). This is a blog with cybersecurity tips created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a popular non-profit that specializes in digital privacy. The blog contains tons of useful guides about how you can avoid online surveillance. TorMetrics is just one of many useful sites provided by TheTorProject, Debian, and Riseup.
The functionality of onion links is rooted in the Tor network’s onion routing process, where data is encrypted in layers, resembling the layers of an onion:
To access a dark web address, you must use a VPN and a suitable browser (it should be Tor). The aim is to reduce your online footprint as much as possible, anonymize your traffic, and disguise your location. The free plan comes with Tor-friendly servers in the US, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Japan. This makes it hard to connect to nearby servers, so you might experience noticeable slowdowns — luckily, you get access to VPN Accelerator, which can boost speeds on distant servers.
This book may be purchased by anybody with a cryptocurrency balance and used to receive the benefits. One of the best VPN services for providing excellent support is HMA, but others like Nord and even Proton Mail’s VPN are great too. Law enforcement agencies have benefited from the introduction of better technologies and more sophisticated methods. Packets and end users may now be analyzed with time and effort. Despite attempts to take down several child pornography sites, little progress has been made. The lack of development is due to marketplaces using much smarter strategies to avoid themselves.
- Routing: When a user accesses an onion link, their connection is routed through a series of volunteer-operated servers.
- Encryption: Each layer of encryption hides the user’s IP address, adding multiple layers of security and anonymity.
- Accessing the Content: Only the final server, known as the exit node, can decrypt the innermost layer to reach the destination website, maintaining user confidentiality.
Common Uses of Onion Links
Onion links serve various purposes in different contexts, including:
- Whistleblowing Platforms: Sites like SecureDrop allow whistleblowers to share information securely with journalists.
- Private Communication: Many users turn to onion links for email services that guarantee encrypted conversations.
- Anonymous Browsing: Users can search on platforms that provide anonymity, accessing content that might otherwise be censored or restricted.
- Marketplace Activities: Dark web marketplaces dealing in illicit goods often use onion links to maintain operations and security.
Risks Associated with Onion Links
While onion links provide anonymity, they are not without risks:
- In 2016, Russia ordered VPN providers with local servers to keep logs.
- As a result, many individuals also go to the Hidden Wiki (we will explain this in detail soon), DuckDuckGo, Searx and StartPage to also find different ways to explore the dark web.
- The Hidden Wiki is a Wikipedia for the dark web that provides links to various dark web sites.
- Due to the anonymous nature of the Tor network, these activities have flourished in this hidden corner of the internet.
- Plus, if the book has been published for over 70 years (after the author’s death), it is no longer protected by copyright in the UK and can be downloaded without breaking any laws.
- Illicit Content: Many onion links lead to illegal activities, and navigating them can expose users to law enforcement scrutiny.
- Scams: The anonymity of the dark web means there are many fraudulent services and scams, putting users’ money and data at risk.
- Malware: Some sites may attempt to install malicious software on visitors’ devices, compromising security.
FAQs About Onion Links
What is the difference between normal links and onion links?
Onion links are specifically designed for the Tor network, offering anonymity, while standard URLs do not provide such privacy features.
Are onion links legal?
Accessing onion links isn’t illegal; however, engaging in illegal activities on those sites is against the law.
Do I need to use a VPN with Onion Links?
While using a VPN is not mandatory when browsing onion links, it adds an extra layer of security and anonymity.
Conclusion
Onion links exemplify the complexities of privacy on the internet. While they offer a gateway to secure and anonymous communication, they also pose risks that users should navigate carefully. Understanding their purpose and functionality can provide valuable insights into the darker corners of the web.
