Blog

Practical, sourced writing on privacy, Tor and the legal dark web.

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Data analysis · 24 Sep 2026
Dark Web Size Statistics: How Many Onion Sites Really Exist
Headlines cite millions of onion addresses and directories with thousands of links. We break down what those dark web size statistics actually measure, and what they leave out.
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News · 23 Sep 2026
Dark Web Marketplace Takedown Explained: Reading the Announcements
Law enforcement press releases about dark web marketplace takedowns are full of big numbers. Here is how to read them accurately, without hype or false comfort.
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Dark web literacy · 22 Sep 2026
Why Do Organizations Have Onion Sites?
Many trusted organizations run both a regular website and a Tor onion mirror. Here is why that dual setup exists and how to tell a real mirror from a fake one.
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Dark web literacy · 21 Sep 2026
What Is SecureDrop and How Does It Work for Sources?
SecureDrop is the open-source tool major newsrooms use to receive anonymous tips and documents. Here is what it is, how it works, and how journalists check what comes in.
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Privacy & OPSEC · 20 Sep 2026
Compartmentalization Basics: Separating Your Tor and Real Identity
A practical guide to compartmentalizing identities on Tor: why one wall isn't enough, how circuits and habits interact, and where the real risks hide.
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Privacy & OPSEC · 19 Sep 2026
Tor Bridges Explained: Getting Online When Tor Is Blocked
When your government or network blocks Tor directly, bridges and pluggable transports can help you reconnect. Here is how they work and how to use them.
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Privacy & OPSEC · 19 Sep 2026
Does Tor Make You Anonymous? The Myth, Explained
Tor hides your IP address, not your behavior. Here is what Tor actually protects, what it cannot protect, and how to think about anonymity realistically.
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Dark web literacy · 19 Sep 2026
Legal Dark Web 101: Who Actually Runs .onion Sites
Not every .onion address belongs to a criminal. News organizations, privacy tools, and nonprofits run onion sites too. Here's who, and why.
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Data analysis · 19 Sep 2026
How to Tell If an Onion Site Is Legit
Onion addresses have no registrar, no whois, and no central authority vouching for them. Here is how to actually read the trust signals that exist.
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News · 19 Sep 2026
News Outlets With Onion Sites: How Tor Protects Journalism
Several major news organizations run onion sites and whistleblower tools on Tor. Here is why they do it, who uses it, and how to verify an address safely.
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News · 19 Sep 2026
Council of Europe ShinyHunters Data Breach Investigation: What's Proven
ShinyHunters says it stole hundreds of thousands of Council of Europe HR files. The claim is serious, but a claim is not proof. Here's what we actually know.
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Privacy & OPSEC · 19 Sep 2026
Google Dark Web Report Shutdown: What to Use Instead
Google is shutting down its dark web monitoring feature in early 2026. Here's what that means and which tools and habits can actually replace it.
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Dark web literacy · 19 Sep 2026
Tor's Counter Galois Onion Encryption, Explained
Tor is replacing its old relay encryption with a new design called Counter Galois Onion. Here's what CGO actually improves, and why it still isn't a magic anonymity fix.
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Dark web literacy · 28 Aug 2026
Is the Hidden Wiki Safe? Why It's a Trap, Not a Directory
Is the Hidden Wiki safe? Not really: there is no single authoritative version, only clones full of dead, fake, or dangerous links. Here's a safer approach.
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Privacy & OPSEC · 27 Aug 2026
How to Verify an Onion Link Is Real Before You Trust It
A calm, practical guide to how to verify an onion link is real: where to get addresses, what signals matter, and why a familiar name is never enough on its own.
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Dark web literacy · 30 Jul 2026
How to Access Onion Sites Safely in 2026
A calm, practical walkthrough on how to access onion sites safely in 2026, covering the right browser, trusted directories, and habits that actually reduce risk.