Understanding .onion Addresses: Complete Guide to Dark Web URLs
Learn how .onion addresses work, how to find and verify them, and best practices for safely accessing onion sites. Complete guide to dark web URLs and domains.
What Are .onion Addresses?
.onion addresses are special domain names used exclusively on the Tor network. Unlike regular web addresses (like example.com), .onion addresses are long strings of random characters that provide anonymity for both website operators and visitors.
How .onion Addresses Work
.onion addresses are automatically generated when someone sets up a Tor hidden service. They consist of:
- •16-character addresses: Older format (v2) - example: 3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion
- •56-character addresses: Newer format (v3) - example: zlal32teyptf4tvi.onion
- •Cryptographic keys: Each address is derived from a public key, making them impossible to guess
How to Access .onion Sites
- 1.Open Tor Browser and wait for connection to establish
- 2.Type the .onion address directly into the address bar (including the .onion extension)
- 3.Never use regular search engines to find .onion addresses - they won't work
- 4.Use verified directories like torhub.io for trusted .onion links
Verifying .onion Addresses
Always verify .onion addresses from multiple trusted sources before using them. Phishing sites often mimic legitimate addresses with similar-looking characters.
⚠️ Warning: Never click .onion links from untrusted sources. Always verify addresses manually.
Conclusion
Understanding .onion addresses is fundamental to safely navigating the dark web. Always verify addresses from trusted sources and never use search engines to find them.