Darknet Questions Wiki Index
Welcome to the Darknet Questions Wiki.
This wiki is focused on dark-web education, privacy, OPSEC, Tor, encryption, cryptocurrency privacy, scam awareness, and harm reduction and cyber security.
If you’re completely new, start with the Getting Started section and work your way down. You do not need to read every guide before using Tor.
1. Start Here — New Users
If you’re new to the dark web, Tor, or privacy tools, start with these guides.
Beginner’s Quick Start Guide to Exploring the Dark Web Safely
The best starting point for completely new users.
Darknet Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answers to common beginner questions about Tor, onion sites, privacy, security, and the dark web.
Tools & Software
Useful privacy, anonymity, encryption, and security software.
Link Sites for the Dark Web
Information about finding onion services and avoiding unreliable link sources.
How to Avoid Phishing Sites and Scams on the Dark Web
Essential reading before trusting onion links or interacting with unknown services.
Twelve Scams That Target New Darknet Users
Common scams and warning signs beginners should recognize.
The Darknet Bible
The Darknet Bible is a guide for newbies to get them started on safe opsec, and navigating the Darknet
2. Tor, Tails, Whonix & I2P
Guides covering anonymity networks and operating systems designed around privacy.
Accessing the Dark Web with Tails
Beginner’s Guide to Setting Up Whonix on a Linux Host
Guide to Installing Qubes OS with Whonix and Disposable Qubes
Beginner’s Guide to I2P: Private Browsing and Using the I2P Network
Is It Safe to Browse Dark-Web Onion Sites on Your Phone?
How to Inspect Tor’s Source Code
3. Privacy & OPSEC
Learn how to think about privacy instead of blindly following an OPSEC checklist.
Threat Modeling for Normal People
OPSEC for Darknet Research and Privacy
How to Remove or Replace Metadata in Your Files — and Why It Matters
Best VPNs for Privacy — Monero (XMR) Accepted
Privacy-Focused Mobile Operating Systems
Privacy-Focused Hosting Providers
Data Removal and Breach Monitoring Services
Privacy Browsers & Search Engines
Reducing your OSINT footprint
4. PGP & Encryption
PGP can look intimidating at first. Start with the appropriate beginner guide for your device, then move into key management and verification.
PGP Guide — Kleopatra
PGP Guide — OpenKeychain
PGP & Encryption Tools for Desktop
PGP Encryption Tools for Mobile
What to Learn After Creating Your PGP Keypair
PGP Key Management & Darknet Best Practices
How to Verify a PGP-Signed Onion Announcement
5. Passwords, Messaging, Email & Storage
Tools for protecting communications, accounts, and files.
Password Managers
Encrypted & Privacy-Focused Email Services
Secure Messaging Apps
Encrypted Cloud Storage
6. Cryptocurrency & Wallets
Educational resources covering Bitcoin, Monero, wallets, and privacy-conscious cryptocurrency use.
Cryptocurrency Wallets — XMR & BTC
Places to Get Monero
Privacy Considerations When Converting BTC or LTC to Monero
Installing Feather Wallet on Tails
7. Scam Prevention & Onion Verification
Use these resources before trusting links, unfamiliar services, or claims made by anonymous users.
How to Avoid Phishing Sites and Scams on the Dark Web
Twelve Scams That Target New Darknet Users
How to Verify a PGP-Signed Onion Announcement
Link Sites for the Dark Web
8. Communities & Independent Resources
Places to continue learning and find additional information.
Darknet Forums & Communities
Independent Darknet and Harm-Reduction Resources
Dark-Web, Privacy and OPSEC Websites
9. Research & Advanced Learning
For readers who want to go beyond basic guides and understand the technology and research behind anonymity systems.
Dark Web, Tor and Onion-Service Research
How to Inspect Tor’s Source Code
Darkweb & Cybersecurity Learning Resources
10. Dark-Market Safety & Harm Reduction
These guides are provided for education, scam prevention, security awareness, and harm reduction. Nothing in this wiki should be interpreted as encouragement to engage in illegal activity.
7 Steps to Signing Up to a Dark Market Safely and Securely
Before reading this section, users should understand Tor, phishing prevention, PGP verification, cryptocurrency security, and basic OPSEC.
Drug Users Bible
The Drug Users Bible furnishes individuals with safety information on their drug of choice reducing the risk of tragedy and death.
Suggested Beginner Learning Path
New to everything? Follow this order:
1. Beginner’s Quick Start Guide
↓
2. Darknet FAQ
↓
3. How to Avoid Phishing Sites & Scams
↓
4. Accessing the Dark Web with Tails
↓
5. Threat Modeling for Normal People
↓
6. OPSEC for Darknet Research & Privacy
↓
7. Learn PGP with Kleopatra or OpenKeychain
↓
8. Learn PGP Key Management & Onion Verification
↓
9. Cryptocurrency & Wallet Security
↓
10. Explore the advanced privacy and research guides
About This Wiki
The Darknet Questions Wiki is intended to make complicated privacy, anonymity, encryption, and dark-web concepts understandable to beginners.
Guides may be updated as Tor, Tails, Whonix, Qubes OS, encryption software, and other privacy tools change.
When possible, verify important security information against the official documentation for the software or service you are using.