Darknet Glossary
Comprehensive A-Z terminology guide for understanding darknet concepts, technologies, and culture.
A
Address Hopping
The practice of frequently changing cryptocurrency addresses to increase anonymity.
Ahmia
A search engine that indexes content from the Tor network, filtering out illegal content.
Anonymity Network
A network designed to provide anonymous communication by concealing user identities and activities.
B
Bitcoin
The first decentralized cryptocurrency, widely used for darknet transactions before Monero became popular.
Blockchain
A distributed ledger technology that records transactions across multiple computers.
Bridge Relay
An unlisted Tor relay used to circumvent censorship in countries that block Tor.
C
Circuit
In Tor, a path through the network consisting of three relays: entry, middle, and exit.
Clearnet
The regular, publicly accessible internet as opposed to darknets.
Cold Storage
Storing cryptocurrency offline to protect against theft or hacking.
D
Darknet
An overlay network that requires specific software to access, designed for anonymity.
Dead Drop
A method of exchanging information or goods without direct contact between parties.
Decentralized
A system without a central point of control, making it resistant to shutdown.
Deep Web
Parts of the internet not indexed by search engines, distinct from the darknet.
Deanonymization
The process of revealing the true identity of an anonymous user.
E
End-to-End Encryption
Encryption where only the communicating users can read the messages.
Escrow
A payment system where funds are held by a third party until transaction conditions are met.
Exit Node
The final relay in a Tor circuit that connects to the destination on the regular internet.
Exit Scam
When a marketplace or vendor disappears with users funds held in escrow.
F
FE (Finalize Early)
Releasing escrow funds before receiving goods, often a sign of scams.
Freenet
A peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication and file sharing.
G
Garlic Routing
I2P encryption method bundling multiple messages together like cloves of garlic.
Guard Node
The first relay in a Tor circuit, which knows your real IP address.
H
Hidden Service
A server accessible only through Tor, using a .onion address.
HTTPS
Secure HTTP protocol using SSL/TLS encryption for web traffic.
I
I2P
Invisible Internet Project - an anonymous network layer for censorship-resistant communication.
IndexNow
Protocol for instant search engine indexing of new content.
M
Mixing Service
A service that mixes cryptocurrency to obscure the transaction trail.
Monero (XMR)
A privacy-focused cryptocurrency with built-in anonymity features.
Multisig
Multi-signature - requiring multiple keys to authorize a transaction.
O
Onion Routing
Encryption technique using multiple layers, like an onion, for anonymous communication.
Onion Address
A .onion URL identifying a hidden service on the Tor network.
OPSEC
Operational Security - practices to maintain anonymity and avoid detection.
P
PGP
Pretty Good Privacy - encryption program for secure communication.
Pseudonymity
Using a consistent fake identity rather than complete anonymity.
R
Relay
A server in the Tor network that routes traffic.
Ring Signature
Cryptographic signature that hides the actual signer among a group.
S
Silk Road
The first major darknet marketplace (2011-2013), founded by Ross Ulbricht.
Stealth Address
One-time addresses generated for each transaction in privacy coins.
T
Tor
The Onion Router - software enabling anonymous communication over the internet.
Tumbler
Service that mixes cryptocurrency to break the transaction trail.
Tails
The Amnesic Incognito Live System - a security-focused operating system.
V
VPN
Virtual Private Network - encrypts internet connection and masks IP address.
Vendor
A seller on a darknet marketplace.
W
Wallet
Software or device for storing cryptocurrency private keys.
Whonix
A security-focused operating system designed for anonymity.
Z
Zero-Knowledge Proof
Cryptographic method proving knowledge without revealing the information itself.
ZeroNet
A decentralized web-like network using Bitcoin cryptography.