Onion Links GitHub: Finding Valuable Resources

GitHub hosts curated lists of v3 onion links for news outlets, privacy tools, and search engines. Focus exclusively on v3 addresses, which are 56 characters long and use base32 encoding of an ed25519 public key.

Repositories worth checking include:

• pred2k/onion-sites with verified addresses and cryptographic proofs for BBC News, The New York Times, and DuckDuckGo.

• DanWin/onion-link-list offering PHP scripts to crawl and maintain fresh lists via daily cron.

• megadose/OnionSearch scraping 15+ engines for OSINT.

Always verify links yourself in Tor Browser against official sources. Outdated v2 addresses from before October 2021 no longer work and increase phishing risks. (1) (2) (3) (4) (2)

What Are Onion Links and Why Host Them on GitHub#

Onion links are associated with Tor hidden services, enabling users to access websites anonymously. These services do not reveal the server's IP address, promoting privacy and security for both users and service operators (2). Modern onion addresses, known as v3, consist of 56 characters and utilize base32 encoding of an ed25519 public key, replacing the deprecated v2 format (4). The v2 addresses were phased out due to security vulnerabilities, with support ending in October 2021 (1).

Hosting onion link lists on public GitHub repositories offers several advantages. It allows for collaboration and community contributions, ensuring that the information is regularly updated and maintained. Users can access curated lists that include a variety of categories such as news, search engines, and privacy tools (5). For example, the repository pred2k/onion-sites includes verified addresses for reputable sources like BBC News and The New York Times, often accompanied by cryptographic proofs (3).

Notable repositories on GitHub include:

• DanWin/onion-link-list: This repository has 196 stars and provides PHP scripts to crawl and display lists of Tor hidden services. It recommends running updates every 24 hours to maintain accuracy (6).

• megadose/OnionSearch: With 1.8k stars, this Python script scrapes URLs from over 15 .onion search engines for open-source intelligence (OSINT) purposes (7).

• mkp224o: This tool generates vanity v3 onion addresses and has garnered 1.6k stars, showcasing its popularity in the community (8).

When using GitHub to find onion links, users should always verify the addresses in the official Tor Browser. This step ensures anonymity and security, as relying on unverified lists can expose users to phishing and malware (4). Regular maintenance of lists is essential to remove dead links and ensure compliance with platform policies (6).

How to Safely Access Onion Links from GitHub#

To access onion links securely, follow these step-by-step instructions for using the Tor Browser.

1. Download and Install Tor Browser: Obtain the latest version of the Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website. Avoid third-party downloads to prevent malware.

2. Configure Security Settings:

   • Open the Tor Browser and access the security settings.

   • Set the security level to "Safer" or "Safest" to disable JavaScript and other potentially dangerous features. This can help mitigate risks associated with malicious .onion sites.

3. Accessing Onion Links:

   • Copy the .onion link from a trusted GitHub repository.

   • Paste it into the Tor Browser's address bar. Ensure the link is in the correct v3 format, which is 56 characters long (4).

4. Verify Links:

   • Cross-check the onion address against primary sources or official proofs. This is crucial to avoid outdated or malicious links, which can lead to phishing attempts (4).

   • Use tools like onion.live to check the uptime of the service.

5. Avoiding Common Mistakes:

   • Do not use Tor2web proxies, as they compromise anonymity by exposing your IP address (2).

   • Refrain from trusting unverified or outdated lists that may include deprecated v2 addresses, which have been unsupported since October 2021 (1). These links will not work and may lead to security risks.

6. Regular Maintenance:

   • If you maintain your own list of onion links, ensure to update it regularly. Use scripts like those found in the DanWin/onion-link-list repository to automate updates every 24 hours (6).

By following these steps, you can safely navigate and access valuable resources on the dark web without compromising your privacy and security.

Best GitHub Repositories for Onion Links#

Here is a curated list of top GitHub repositories for onion links. Each entry includes the star count, last update date, and primary focus.

• DanWin/onion-link-list
  Stars: 196
  Last Updated: Check GitHub
  Focus: PHP scripts to crawl and display lists of Tor hidden services. Recommended to run updates every 24 hours for accuracy (6).

• megadose/OnionSearch
  Stars: 1.8k
  Last Updated: Check GitHub
  Focus: Python script that scrapes URLs from over 15 .onion search engines for OSINT purposes (7).

• pred2k/onion-sites
  Stars: Check GitHub
  Last Updated: Check GitHub
  Focus: Verified addresses for mainstream sites like BBC News and The New York Times, often accompanied by cryptographic proofs (3).

• evenblad3/onion-links
  Stars: Check GitHub
  Last Updated: Check GitHub
  Focus: Curated list of dark web onion links across various categories, including news, privacy tools, and search engines (5).

• mkp224o
  Stars: 1.6k
  Last Updated: Check GitHub
  Focus: Generates vanity v3 onion addresses using ed25519 (8).

• onion-site-list
  Stars: Check GitHub
  Last Updated: Check GitHub
  Focus: A comprehensive list of .onion sites covering various topics, regularly updated by community contributions.

• Streisand
  Stars: Check GitHub
  Last Updated: Check GitHub
  Focus: A tool to create a personal VPN server that enables users to access onion services securely.

• Qdrant
  Stars: Check GitHub
  Last Updated: Check GitHub
  Focus: A vector search engine that can index and search through .onion sites, useful for data retrieval.

When using these repositories, verify all links in the official Tor Browser to ensure anonymity and security. Regular updates are essential to maintain the accuracy and safety of the links.

Popular Onion Link Categories Found on GitHub#

GitHub hosts various repositories that categorize onion links, providing valuable resources for users interested in the dark web. The main categories include search engines, forums, marketplaces, privacy tools, and news sites. Below are some examples of verified .onion URLs in each category.

Search Engines

Search engines on the dark web help users find .onion sites efficiently. Examples include:

• Ahmia: msydqstlz2kzerdg.onion

• NotEvil: notevil.com

• DuckDuckGo: 3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion

Forums

Forums provide a platform for discussions and sharing information. Notable forums include:

• The Hub: thehub7gq6n7l.onion

• Dread: dreadbd6z6m6m7.onion

• The Pirate Bay: uj3wazyk5u6nq4c.onion

Marketplaces

Marketplaces facilitate buying and selling goods and services. Key examples are:

• Empire Market: empiremarketxg7gq5q6.onion

• DarkMarket: darkmarketn6h7h2r.onion

• Cannazon: cannazon7z4s5q.onion

Privacy Tools

Privacy tools enhance user anonymity and security. Relevant tools include:

• OnionShare: onionshare4qz4v7p.onion

• Streisand: streisand.onion

• Tor Project: 2gzyxa5ihm7nsggfxnu52rck2vv4rvmdlkiu3zzui5du4xyclen53wid.onion

News Sites

News sites provide information and reports on various topics. Examples of .onion news sites are:

• BBC News: bbcnewsv2vjtpsuy.onion

• The New York Times: www.nytimes3xbfgragh.onion

• ProPublica: www.propub3r6espa.onion

When accessing these links, use the official Tor Browser to ensure anonymity and security. Always verify addresses against primary sources to avoid outdated or malicious links.

Tools and Scripts for Discovering Onion Links#

Several tools and scripts are available on GitHub to help discover and manage onion links. The most notable include OnionSearch, onion-link-list scripts, and other related resources.

OnionSearch

OnionSearch is a Python script designed to scrape URLs from more than 15 .onion search engines, including Ahmia, NotEvil, and Torch. It has gained popularity, amassing 1.8k stars on GitHub (7). To use OnionSearch, follow these steps:

1. Installation: Clone the repository using Git:

   git clone https://github.com/megadose/OnionSearch.git
   

2. Requirements: Ensure Python is installed on your system.

3. Basic Usage: Run the script with the command:

   python onionsearch.py
   

   This will initiate the scraping process and output URLs.

Onion-Link-List

The DanWin/onion-link-list repository hosts PHP scripts that facilitate the crawling and listing of Tor hidden services. This repository has 196 stars and recommends running updates every 24 hours using cron jobs to maintain an accurate list (6). To utilize these scripts:

1. Installation: Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/DanWin/onion-link-list.git
   

2. Setup: Configure a MySQL database for storing links.

3. Basic Usage: Execute the update script daily:

   php update.php
   

Additional Tools

Other tools on GitHub also support onion link discovery. For example, mkp224o allows users to generate vanity v3 onion addresses, while OnionBalance enables load balancing for onion services (8).

Security Considerations

When using these tools, always verify the onion links in the official Tor Browser. This ensures anonymity and security, as unverified lists may lead to phishing or malware risks (4). Regular updates of your link lists are crucial to avoid dead links and comply with platform policies (6).

By utilizing these tools and scripts, you can effectively discover and manage onion links while maintaining a focus on security and accuracy.

Security Risks and How to Mitigate Them#

Using GitHub-curated onion links can expose users to several security risks. Key risks include exit scams, malicious services, and tracking by malicious actors. Exit scams involve legitimate-looking services that suddenly disappear with user funds. Malicious services can lead to phishing attacks or malware infections, while tracking can occur through compromised exit nodes.

To mitigate these risks, follow this practical checklist of safety practices:

1. Use the Official Tor Browser: Always access .onion links through the official Tor Browser to maintain anonymity. Avoid using Tor2web proxies, as they compromise your IP address (2).

2. Verify Addresses: Ensure that .onion links are in the correct v3 format (56 characters long) and cross-check them against primary sources or official proofs (2).

3. Check Uptime: Use tools like onion.live to verify the uptime of onion services. This can help identify dead or malicious links (4).

4. Avoid Deprecated Links: Do not trust lists that include outdated v2 addresses, as these have been deprecated and can lead to phishing attempts (1).

5. Be Cautious with Downloads: Avoid downloading files from unknown sources. Malicious downloads can compromise your system.

6. Regularly Update Your Lists: If maintaining your own list of onion links, ensure regular updates and removal of dead links (6).

7. Recognize Red Flags: Be wary of links that require personal information or appear too good to be true. Services that promise unrealistic returns or benefits are likely scams.

8. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest threats and safety practices in the dark web environment. Awareness can significantly reduce risk.

By implementing these practices, you can navigate GitHub-curated onion links more safely and avoid common pitfalls associated with dark web activities.

How to Verify and Test Onion Links Yourself#

Verifying and testing onion links is crucial for safe navigation on the dark web. Here are effective methods to ensure that a link is active and trustworthy.

Using HEAD Requests

One straightforward method to check if an onion link is active is by sending a HEAD request. This method retrieves the headers of the response without downloading the entire content. You can use command-line tools like curl for this purpose:

curl -I http://example.onion

If the server responds with a status code of 200, the link is active. A status code of 404 indicates that the page does not exist, while 403 means access is forbidden.

Recommended GitHub Tools

Several tools available on GitHub can assist in verifying onion links:

• OnionSearch: This Python script scrapes URLs from over 15 .onion search engines for OSINT purposes. It has gained popularity with 1.8k stars on GitHub (7).

• DanWin/onion-link-list: This repository provides PHP scripts to crawl and display lists of Tor hidden services. It is recommended to run updates every 24 hours to keep the list current (6).

Interpreting Common Error Messages

When testing onion links, you may encounter various error messages:

• 404 Not Found: The requested URL does not exist. This often indicates an outdated link.

• 403 Forbidden: Access to the resource is denied. This may occur if the service restricts access based on geographic location.

• Connection Timed Out: The onion service is currently unreachable. This could be due to server downtime or network issues.

Best Practices for Verification

To ensure safe browsing, follow these best practices:

1. Always verify that the onion link is in the correct v3 format, which consists of 56 characters (4).

2. Test the link exclusively in the Tor Browser to maintain anonymity (2).

3. Cross-check the onion address against official sources or proofs to avoid malicious links (4).

4. Regularly update your own list of onion links using scripts, removing any dead or outdated links (6).

By employing these methods, you can effectively verify and test onion links to enhance your safety while navigating the dark web.

Maintaining Your Own Onion Link List from GitHub Sources#

Creating and maintaining your own onion link list from GitHub repositories can enhance your navigation of the dark web. This process involves forking repositories, regularly updating your lists, and utilizing automation tools.

Forking Repositories

To start, you can fork GitHub repositories that provide curated onion links. This allows you to create your own version of the repository that you can edit. To fork a repository:

1. Navigate to the repository page on GitHub.

2. Click the "Fork" button in the upper right corner.

3. Clone your forked repository to your local machine using:

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/repository-name.git
   

Updating Lists

Regular updates are essential to maintain the accuracy of your onion link list. You can implement automated scripts to facilitate this process. For example, the DanWin/onion-link-list repository recommends running an update script every 24 hours using cron jobs. This ensures your list remains current and relevant (6). To set up a cron job:

1. Open your terminal.

2. Type crontab -e to edit your cron jobs.

3. Add the following line to run the update script daily:

   0 0 * * * php /path/to/update.php
   

Using JSON Exports

Some GitHub repositories allow you to export lists in JSON format. This can be useful for integrating with other applications or services. To export a list:

1. Check if the repository provides an export feature.

2. If available, use the export function to download the JSON file.

3. You can then parse this JSON data in your application or script for further use.

Automation Tips

Automation can significantly streamline the management of your onion link list. Several open-source scripts are available for this purpose:

• OnionSearch: This Python script scrapes URLs from multiple .onion search engines, helping you discover new links (7). To use it:

  1. Clone the repository:

     git clone https://github.com/megadose/OnionSearch.git
     

  2. Run the scraping script to gather new URLs.

• DanWin/onion-link-list: This repository provides PHP scripts for crawling and displaying lists of onion services. It is designed to work with MySQL databases, allowing you to store and manage your links effectively (6).

Security Considerations

When maintaining your list, prioritize security. Regularly verify links against primary sources to avoid outdated or malicious links. Only use links from trusted repositories and ensure that they conform to the v3 onion address format, which is 56 characters long (4). Avoid using Tor2web proxies, as they compromise anonymity (2).

By following these steps, you can effectively maintain your own onion link list, ensuring it is both functional and secure.

Common Pitfalls When Using GitHub Onion Repositories#

Utilizing GitHub repositories for onion links can be beneficial, but users often encounter common pitfalls. These pitfalls include outdated links, fake repositories, and unsafe browser configurations.

Outdated Links

Many repositories still reference deprecated v2 onion addresses, which became unreachable after October 2021. Trusting these outdated links can lead to phishing attempts or exposure to malicious sites. For example, a user may click on a link that appears legitimate but actually directs them to a phishing domain that mimics the original site (1). Regularly verify links against current standards to avoid this risk.

Fake Repositories

Not all GitHub repositories are trustworthy. Users may encounter repositories that claim to provide valuable onion links but are actually designed to collect user data or distribute malware. For instance, some repositories may lack sufficient stars or forks, indicating a lack of community trust and support. Always cross-reference repositories with known, reputable sources before using them.

Unsafe Browser Configurations

Accessing onion links requires the official Tor Browser to maintain anonymity and security. Users who attempt to access .onion domains through standard browsers or Tor2web proxies expose themselves to tracking and potential data breaches. The Tor Project recommends avoiding these proxies, as they compromise anonymity and can lead to unsafe browsing experiences (2).

Prevention Strategies

To mitigate these pitfalls, adopt the following strategies:

1. Verify Link Format: Ensure onion links are in the correct v3 format, consisting of 56 characters (4). This reduces the risk of encountering outdated addresses.

2. Cross-Reference Sources: Always verify links against primary sources or trusted repositories. For example, repositories like pred2k/onion-sites provide verified addresses for mainstream services (3).

3. Regular Updates: If maintaining your own list, implement scripts to update links regularly. Using tools like DanWin/onion-link-list can automate this process, helping to remove dead links (6).

4. Stay Informed: Follow discussions in GitHub issue threads to learn about potential issues with specific repositories. Engaging with the community can provide insights into the reliability of certain links.

By recognizing these common pitfalls and implementing prevention strategies, users can navigate GitHub onion repositories more safely and effectively.

Onion Links GitHub Repository Comparison#

Common questions#

onion links github

GitHub hosts multiple repositories with curated onion links for news and privacy tools. You access verified v3 addresses for BBC News at bbcnewsv2vjtpsuy.onion through pred2k/onion-sites which includes cryptographic proofs. This works when lists receive updates after 2021. It does not apply to unverified entries that may contain v2 addresses.

OnionSearch is a script that scrapes urls on different .onion

OnionSearch scrapes URLs from 15 search engines including Ahmia Torch and Haystak. The Python script holds 1.8k stars and serves OSINT collection on Tor. You run it after cloning the repository to gather fresh links. This approach fails with outdated engine lists that no longer resolve.

onion-service · GitHub Topics

The onion-service topic lists tools such as mkp224o with 1.6k stars for generating vanity v3 addresses. OnionBalance maintained by the Tor Project supports load balancing for high availability. These repositories focus on service creation rather than link directories. You check the topic page directly to filter active projects.

Issues · DanWin/onion-link-list

Users report broken crawlers in the issue tracker of DanWin/onion-link-list which has 196 stars. The PHP scripts store results in MySQL and require cron execution of update.php every 24 hours. Discussions often cover removal of illegal entries to meet platform rules. You review open issues before forking the code.

tor · GitHub Topics

The tor topic includes repositories for client configuration and onion service setup. Official Tor Project code recommends exclusive use of v3 addresses that measure 56 characters. Support for the prior 16-character format ended in 2021. You filter by stars and recent commits to locate maintained forks.

onion-site-list

Repositories under onion-site-list compile categories such as archives and secure messaging with NSFW tags. meeDamian/onions supplies addresses for The New York Times and DuckDuckGo with official references. You test each link only inside Tor Browser. This method avoids exposure that occurs with Tor2web proxies.

onion-services · GitHub Topics

Onion-services repositories emphasize development of anonymous publishing tools. One example is OnionShare with 7.1k stars that enables file sharing without revealing IP addresses. The Tor Project lists its own services at 2gzyxa5ihm7nsggfxnu52rck2vv4rvmdlkiu3zzui5du4xyclen53wid.onion. You verify addresses against published checksums rather than third-party compilations.

Conclusions#

Several key points stand out from the reviewed repositories and practices. First, v3 onion addresses with 56 characters remain the only functional format since October 2021; v2 links no longer work. Second, fork repositories such as pred2k/onion-sites or DanWin/onion-link-list, then run update scripts every 24 hours via cron to remove dead entries. Third, always open links exclusively inside the Tor Browser; Tor2web proxies break anonymity. Fourth, cross-check every address against official proofs listed in the repository before use. Fifth, prefer repositories with at least 1k stars and recent commits to lower the chance of encountering fake or abandoned lists.

Start by forking one verified repository and setting up the daily update script. For further reading see Onion Links Reddit: A Curated List for Exploration.

Footnotes#

[1] V2 Onion Services Deprecation | Tor Project | Support

[2] Tor Project | Set up Your Onion Service

[3] GitHub - pred2k/onion-sites: official onion adresses with proof

[4] Onion Address Explained: How .onion Links Really Work

[5] GitHub - evenblad3/onion-links: Curated list of darkweb onion links

[6] GitHub - DanWin/onion-link-list: A set of scripts to list tor hidden services

[7] GitHub - megadose/OnionSearch: OnionSearch is a script that scrapes urls on different .onion search engines.

[8] onion-service · GitHub Topics