How to Access .onion Sites (Also Known as Tor Hidden Services)
Highlights
Download the Tor browser from “torproject.org/download” and install it. Click “Establish a Connection,” then enter the “.onion” address you want to visit into the address bar. This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on How to Access .onion Sites with the Tor Browser.
Domain names that end in “.onion” are not compatible with standard web browsers because of their unique structure. Tor’s hidden services on the “deep web” are accessible via addresses that end in “.onion.”
Warning: Many.onion sites are likely to be scams, and many of them feature extremely offensive content. Try not to use.onion domains for casual browsing; they should be used only when you have a compelling reason to visit a specific site.
What Is a .onion Site?
The Onion Router, or Tor, is a system that hides your online identity. It is intended to aid people in countries where Internet access may be censored or monitored and receives partial funding from the United States government. When you connect to the Tor network, all of your Internet traffic is routed through the Tor servers, making it impossible for your ISP or the government to track your movements online and allowing you to visit sites that are blocked in your country.
When using Tor to access google.com, your request will be forwarded from one Tor relay to another before finally arriving at a “exit node.” This node will then make a connection to Google.com on your behalf and relay any information it receives back to you. If you use an exit node, Google will think that the IP address of the node itself is contacting it, rather than your own.
However, this opens the door for eavesdropping on the “last mile” of traffic by whoever is keeping tabs on or even operating the exit nodes. A server with a “.onion” address is a Tor hidden service, which can only be accessed by using Tor. This prevents people monitoring the Tor exit nodes from snooping on your web browsing. Because of this, a website’s server can, in theory, be hidden from view by anyone using the Tor network.
“facebookwkhpilnemxj7asaniu7vnjjbiltxjqhye3mhbshg7kx5tfyd.onion” is the official Tor hidden services address for Facebook. This lets you use Tor to access Facebook, keeping your connection safe from prying eyes. It could come in handy in places where Facebook is restricted, such as those.
As Tor is slower than regular browsing, it’s not recommended that you always use it. However, it is a practical method for hiding your online footprint and evading censorship online.
How to Access .onion Sites with the Tor Browser
You’ll need to use the Tor Browser to visit a site with an.onion extension. It’s Firefox, tweaked so that it can access the web via the anonymous Tor network.
In order to proceed, please Download the Tor Browser from the Tor project’s website. All major operating systems and mobile platforms are supported.
Previously, we suggested downloading either the Orbot proxy app or the Orfox browser from Google Play for use on Android smartphones and tablets. Third-party Tor apps are available in the Apple App Store, but the Tor project has yet to release its own app for the iPhone or iPad.
The.onion address must be entered into the address bar of the Tor browser after it has been launched. The following address, for instance, would grant access to Facebook’s secret service:
https://facebookwkhpilnemxj7asaniu7vnjjbiltxjqhye3mhbshg7kx5tfyd.onion
If you prefer, you can enter to use DuckDuckGo’s secret service:
https://duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion/
If you’re using Tor, you can access.onion sites by clicking their links, and they’ll load normally in the browser. They will, however, only function in the Tor browser while using the Tor network.
Avoid Tor2Web Proxies for.onion Sites
Through Tor-connected proxies, you can access .onion sites without Tor. The proxy connects to Tor and forwards traffic over the Internet.
It’s a terrible concept! Tor browser connections to .onion sites lose anonymity. That’s why .onion addresses exist. The website you visit is anonymous, but someone monitoring your connection can see it. The service provider can monitor what you’re connecting to and intercept passwords and other private data.
But don’t use Tor2web. Facebook restricts Tor2web connections to its secret service and warns against them.
In need of.onion site lists? In order to get started, you can look up listings of .onion sites on the internet. However, many.onion site directories are actually kept on .onion sites, which are only accessible via Tor.
Warning: many .onion sites are likely frauds, and many contain extremely offensive material. If you can help it, you should avoid them. Use this method whenever you need to visit a hidden .onion web page.
