The dark web browser Tor has now become extra secure as the .onion url has now been assigned special-use status. The Engineering Task Force (IETF) along with Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, part of ICANN, has granted formal recognition to the .onion domain, adding it to the list of Special-Use Domain Names.

The special-use status means that .onion can now only be used on Tor. Earlier .onion could be technically opened on the regular web due to its psdeuo-TLD status. The special-use status also opens the possibility of site-specific encryption and the use of security certificates.