What Is Dread?
Dread is the largest and most active discussion forum on the darknet, often compared to Reddit for Tor users. Launched in 2018, it has become the go-to hub for:
- Vendor and market reviews
- Harm reduction information
- Marketplace announcements
- Privacy-focused discussions
It is accessible only via the Tor network and offers PGP-verified accounts, moderated subforums, and censorship-resistant infrastructure.
Is Dread Down in 2025?
Dread often experiences DDoS attacks or server migrations, causing temporary downtime. If you’re asking:
“Is Dread down right now?”
…it’s a common issue.
Make sure to always use a verified .onion mirror to access it.
Official Dread Forum Mirrors (2025)
These mirrors are known to work as of mid-2025. Always verify with a trusted directory or Dread moderator PGP.
http://dreadytofatroptsdj6io7l3xptbet6onoyno2yv7jicoxknyazubrad.onion
Use PGP verification and disable JavaScript when browsing Dread.
Why Is Dread So Important?
Dread has become essential for darknet users and researchers because:
- It provides real-time information on market status (up, down, exit scams)
- It’s one of the few non-scammy Tor forums with active moderation
- It hosts market-specific subforums, called “subs” (e.g.
/d/AlphaBay)Final Thoughts: Is Dread Still Worth Using in 2025?
Yes — despite periodic downtime, Dread remains the most reliable darknet community for:
- Verifying market legitimacy
- Reporting scams
- Learning privacy tips from seasoned users
- Connecting with other darknet vendors and buyers
But always have alternatives ready, and remember:
If you found Dread through a Google ad, it’s probably a phishing site.