Frequently Asked Questions

You need Tor Browser to access any .onion website. Download it exclusively from torproject.org to ensure you get the authentic version. Regular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari cannot connect to onion addresses.

Tor Browser works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. The installation process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. After installation, launch the browser and wait for it to connect to the Tor network before pasting any onion links.

For maximum security, consider using Tails OS instead of your regular operating system. Tails runs from a USB drive and routes all traffic through Tor automatically. It leaves no traces on the computer you use.

Navigate to the marketplace using Tor Browser and click the Register or Sign Up button. You will need to create a username that does not reveal your real identity. Choose something random that you have not used elsewhere.

Create a strong password with at least sixteen characters including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Never reuse passwords from other accounts. Consider using a password manager to generate and store your credentials securely.

Complete the captcha verification to prove you are human. Some registrations require solving multiple captchas. Take your time and enter each character carefully. After successful registration, immediately proceed to enable two-factor authentication.

Onion addresses are long strings of random characters ending with .onion instead of .com or .org. Modern v3 onion addresses contain 56 characters. They look like random letters and numbers but actually encode the service's public key.

Example format: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.onion

The length and randomness of these addresses makes them impossible to guess. This is a security feature that prevents attackers from discovering hidden services through brute force. Always copy the complete address including all characters to ensure you reach the correct destination.

Tor routes your connection through multiple relays around the world to protect your anonymity. Each hop adds latency compared to direct connections. This is the trade-off for privacy and is completely normal behavior.

Network congestion can also slow connections. The Tor network handles millions of connections daily and sometimes becomes congested during peak hours. If pages load extremely slowly, try clicking the New Circuit option in Tor Browser to get a different route.

Onion services themselves may experience high traffic or server load. Torzon maintains 98%+ uptime, but if one link is slow, try a mirror address instead. Different mirrors may route through different infrastructure and offer better performance at any given time.

After logging in, navigate to your account settings or security settings page. Look for the two-factor authentication or 2FA option. Click enable and you will see a QR code displayed on screen.

Download an authenticator app on your phone. Recommended options include Aegis (Android, open source), Google Authenticator, or Authy. Open the app and scan the QR code shown on the marketplace. The app will start generating six-digit codes that change every thirty seconds.

Enter the current code from your app to verify the setup works correctly. The marketplace will also provide backup codes. Write these down on paper and store them in a secure physical location. If you lose access to your authenticator app, these backup codes are your only way to recover your account.

Never store backup codes digitally or take screenshots of them. Physical paper stored securely provides better protection than digital files that could be compromised through malware or device theft.

PGP stands for Pretty Good Privacy. It is an encryption standard that protects your messages so only the intended recipient can read them. Think of it like sealing a letter in an envelope that only one specific person can open.

Each user has two keys: a public key they share with others and a private key they keep secret. When you want to send a private message to someone, you encrypt it using their public key. Only their private key can decrypt it. Even if someone intercepts the encrypted message, they cannot read it without the private key.

To get started, download Kleopatra (Windows/Linux) or GPG Suite (macOS). Generate a new keypair following the software prompts. Add your public key to your marketplace profile so vendors can send you encrypted responses. When sending sensitive information like shipping addresses, always encrypt the message with the vendor's public key first.

Learning PGP takes about an hour of practice. The initial effort is worth it because encryption permanently protects your sensitive communications. Many tutorials exist online to guide you through the process step by step.

Phishing is the most common threat to darknet users. Attackers create fake copies of popular marketplaces to steal login credentials. These fake sites often look identical to the real ones. Verifying links before entering any information is critical.

Compare the complete URL character by character against known good sources. Use multiple trusted verification sites like dark.fail which provides PGP-signed links. If the marketplace publishes PGP-signed mirrors, verify the signature using their official public key.

Bookmark verified links in Tor Browser after confirming they work. This eliminates the need to search for links each time and reduces the risk of encountering phishing sites. Never trust links sent through messages or posted in forums without independent verification.

Watch for signs of phishing sites: unusual captchas, requests for information the real site would not ask for, slightly different visual elements, or links that differ by even one character from the authentic address.

This topic sparks debate among security experts. Tor already provides strong anonymity by routing your connection through multiple relays. Adding a VPN can introduce additional risks depending on how it is configured.

Using a VPN before Tor hides the fact that you are using Tor from your internet provider. However, the VPN provider can see that you connect to Tor. This shifts trust from your ISP to your VPN provider. If the VPN keeps logs, this could create a record of your Tor usage.

Using Tor before a VPN is generally not recommended as it can deanonymize your traffic by revealing your final destination to the VPN provider. This configuration also does not allow access to .onion addresses.

For most users, Tor alone provides sufficient anonymity. If you choose to use a VPN, select a provider with a verified no-logs policy and understand the trade-offs involved. Tails OS provides a simpler alternative by routing everything through Tor automatically.

Torzon supports two cryptocurrencies: Monero (XMR) and Bitcoin (BTC). Each has different characteristics that suit different needs.

Monero (XMR): The recommended choice with only 0.5% platform fee. Built specifically for privacy with ring signatures hiding transaction origins, stealth addresses protecting recipients, and RingCT concealing amounts. Monero transactions cannot be traced through blockchain analysis.

Bitcoin (BTC): More widely available but carries a 2% platform fee. Bitcoin transactions are publicly visible on the blockchain and can potentially be traced with sophisticated analysis. Consider using mixing services or converting to Monero for enhanced privacy when needed.

Several methods exist for obtaining Monero. Some cryptocurrency exchanges allow direct purchase with fiat currency. Check Kraken, Binance (where available), or local exchanges in your region.

If direct purchase is not available, buy Bitcoin first and then convert to Monero. Services like ChangeNow, TradeOgre, or Bisq facilitate conversion without requiring extensive identity verification. Atomic swaps enable direct Bitcoin-to-Monero exchange without intermediaries.

After obtaining Monero, transfer it to a wallet you control before depositing to the marketplace. The official Monero GUI wallet or Feather wallet are good options. This intermediate step adds a layer of separation between your purchase and marketplace activity.

Confirmation times depend on the cryptocurrency used and current network conditions.

Bitcoin: Typically requires two to three confirmations. Each confirmation takes roughly ten minutes on average. Expect thirty to forty-five minutes for deposits to become available. Network congestion can extend this time.

Monero: Usually requires ten confirmations. Blocks generate every two minutes on average. Total confirmation time is approximately twenty to thirty minutes under normal conditions.

During periods of high network usage, confirmations may take longer. Be patient and avoid sending duplicate transactions if your deposit does not appear immediately.

Torzon uses 2-of-3 multi-signature escrow for enhanced security. This means three parties hold keys: the buyer, the vendor, and the marketplace. Any two of these three keys must agree to release funds.

In normal transactions, buyer and vendor keys release funds after successful delivery. If disputes arise, the marketplace key combines with either party to resolve the situation fairly. This prevents any single party from running away with funds.

Multi-sig escrow provides stronger protection than traditional escrow. Even if the marketplace were compromised, attackers would need keys from both other parties to steal funds. This architecture significantly reduces the risk of exit scams.

After receiving your order, you confirm delivery through the platform interface. This action uses your key to authorize fund release. Keep all communication on the platform to create a record that supports your case if disputes become necessary.

First, verify that Tor Browser is connected to the network. Look for the onion icon in the browser toolbar. If connection failed, try restarting Tor Browser or checking your internet connection.

If Tor is connected but the page still does not load, the service may be experiencing temporary downtime. Try one of the mirror links instead. Different mirrors route through different infrastructure and may be accessible when the primary link is not.

Network congestion can also prevent pages from loading. Wait a few minutes and try again. The Tor network handles fluctuating loads throughout the day. If problems persist, try using the New Circuit for this Site option in Tor Browser to get a fresh connection route.

Account recovery options are limited on darknet platforms due to their anonymous nature. Most marketplaces do not have email-based password reset because users do not provide email addresses during registration.

If you set up a recovery phrase or mnemonic during registration, use it to reset your password. Some platforms offer PGP-based recovery where you can prove account ownership by signing a message with your registered PGP key.

Without recovery options configured, a forgotten password typically means permanent account loss. This is why using a password manager and storing credentials securely is so important. Create a new account if you cannot recover the old one.

Two-factor authentication codes depend on accurate time synchronization. If your phone's clock is off by more than thirty seconds, the generated codes will not match what the server expects. Check that your phone has automatic time setting enabled.

Verify you are using the correct account in your authenticator app. If you have multiple accounts, ensure you are copying the code from the right entry. Delete and re-add the account if the codes continue to fail.

If time synchronization is correct and you are using the right account, try your backup codes. Each backup code works only once. If backup codes also fail, contact marketplace support through their official channels for assistance.

First, verify the transaction was actually sent by checking a blockchain explorer. For Bitcoin, use blockchair.com or mempool.space. For Monero, use xmrchain.net (note that Monero transactions are private so you can only confirm your own outgoing transactions).

If the transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, wait for the marketplace to credit your account. Platforms require multiple confirmations before deposits appear. Bitcoin typically needs two to three confirmations while Monero may require ten or more.

Double-check that you sent to the correct deposit address. Deposit addresses are unique to each user and sometimes change between sessions. Always copy the address fresh from the marketplace before sending.

If confirmations are complete and funds still do not appear after several hours, contact marketplace support with your transaction ID. They can investigate and credit your account manually if there was a technical issue.