Relying on a directory's "verified" label is a good start, but for true security, you should perform your own checks.
When visiting a verified link, check the URL bar in the Tor Browser for the onion icon , which confirms a secure connection to the onion service. topic links 20 onion verified
If you skip to Layer 1, you are gambling. In the darkness of the deep web, the light of personal verification is the only flashlight you truly own. Relying on a directory's "verified" label is a