How Dark Websites Work

A simple info graphic-style explanation of how traffic flows through the Tor network to access a dark website.

Some .onion sites that are legal, helpful, and commonly used for journalism, privacy, and research.

🖼️ Visual Diagram: How Dark Websites Work

Here’s a simplified text version of the visual diagram. If you want an actual image, let me know and I can generate one.

css
[You] 
   ↓
[Your Computer + Tor Browser]
   ↓
[Entry Node] → [Middle Node] → [Exit Node]
   ↓
[Dark Website (.onion)]

Tor Browser: Routes your traffic through three random servers (called "nodes").
Entry Node: Knows your IP but not the destination.
Middle Node: Passes data securely without knowing you or the site.
Exit Node: Delivers your request to the .onion site—but can’t trace you back.

Everything is encrypted at each step, like layers of an onion—hence the name Onion Routing.

Name	Purpose	Onion Link
Secure Drop	Anonymous whistle blowing for journalists	Depends on each media outlet (e.g., The Guardian’s SecureDrop)
ProPublica	Independent investigative journalism	`https://www.propub3r6espa33w.onion/`
The Hidden Wiki	Directory of .onion sites (Caution: mixed content)	`http://zqktlwi4fecvo6ri.onion/wiki/index.php/Main_Page`
Duck Duck Go (.onion)	Private search engine for Tor users	`http://duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion/`
Tor Project (.onion)	Download Tor securely	`http://expyuzz4wqqyqhjn.onion/`

⚠️ Note: Always verify .onion links through trusted sources. Malicious clones are common on the dark web.