Deep Web Dark Web

Understanding the Deep Web and Dark Web

In fact, most of the content on the deep web is quite similar to the content that you can find on Google, which is called the surface web. The terms “deep web” and “dark web” are often used interchangeably — they’re not the same thing, though. The dark web is technically a tiny sliver of the deep web, making up 0.01% of it, but the horror stories you hear about the dark web don’t actually happen on the deep web. The web situations are reminiscent of real-life scenarios, such as when one walks through an underpass and witnesses a drug trade. As long as they just walk by and look at it, they have not violated any laws. But the moment one attempts to buy illegal substances, they are breaking the law.

The terms deep web and dark web are often used interchangeably, but they refer to very different parts of the internet. Understanding these concepts is crucial for navigating online spaces safely.

At a minimum, users should ensure that their cybersecurity defenses are activated and up-to-date. The Tor Browser is currently available only for Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux. Once connected, you’ll have access to dark net websites called “Tor hidden services”. Instead of “.com” or “.org”, Dark Web addresses trail with a “.onion“.

It’s also possible that some of the sites are scams to gain access to your personal and financial data. They’re also able to gain access to your computer simply by browsing. In 2001, they estimated the deep web to be around 400 to 550 times as big as the surface web which contains 4.5 billion sites. The deep web is the 99% of the internet that you can’t search on a search engine. Cyber hygiene refers to cybersecurity best practices that everyone who actively uses the internet should be implementing to keep themselves and their data protected from common cyber threats. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an extra layer of security you can enable on your accounts.

What is the Deep Web?

Other similar sites have tried to spring up, but the FBI keeps close tabs on this type of illegal drug trade on the Internet. Tor also lets people access so-called hidden services — underground Web sites for which the dark Web is notorious. Instead of seeing domains that end in .com or .org, these hidden sites end in .onion. On the next page we’ll peel back the layers of some of those onions. But if you’re looking for a more obscure story, you may have to go directly to a specific newspaper site and then browse or search content to find what you’re looking for. The older the story, the more likely it’s stored only on the newspaper’s archive, which isn’t visible on the surface Web.

On the other hand, the dark web is a small portion of the deep web that is obscured and cannot be accessed via ordinary browsers such as Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Opera. In fact, special tools and protocols are needed to access the dark web, since it is intentionally hidden, or obscured, from view. Is because anonymity is an essential part of the dark web, however, criminal activity is also more prevalent in this part of the Internet.

The dark web is actually considered to be a small part of the deep web. It can only be accessed through special networks like Tor or via static IPs shared privately. However, the dark web is also used by individuals seeking online privacy or to bypass censorship in their home countries. Specialized browsers like Tor enable anonymous access to this part of the web. Tor does not allow the user to control which proxy they connect to, which could lead to threats like man-in-the-middle attacks and JavaScript infections, which violate user privacy.

The vast majority of transactions consisted of illegal drugs, but you could also find weapons, personal information, child pornography and stolen credit card details. Allegedly, it was also possible to hire hit men on the site, though it’s never been proven that any of these contracts were actually fulfilled. Broadly, this is the process of storing and categorizing the web pages and sites found by the search provider’s crawler bots, so that it can more easily find relevant results when users search for something. In order to properly understand how the deep web works, you first have to understand a few fundamentals of how the regular internet operates, especially as it relates to search engines.

The deep web encompasses all parts of the internet that are not indexed by traditional search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. Unlike the dark web, the deep web contains a vast amount of legitimate and useful content.

• Private databases (e.g., academic databases, medical records)
• Subscription content (e.g., journals, streaming services)
• Intranet sites (e.g., corporate or governmental resources)
• Dynamic web pages that require user interaction

• Keybase also offers extremely user-friendly secure chat and file-sharing services through its app.
• Onion sites are considered hidden in the deep web, and they use Tor to encrypt connections to them, keeping visitors and the site creators anonymous.
• Equipped with a VPN and Tor, one can easily find dark marketplaces where users can purchase everything from illegal drugs to bank account information, to children’s social security information.
• It is often offered in some portals to give threat actors the tools for cyberattacks.
• However, this site might not likely be hacked for illicit gain directly.

Characteristics of the Deep Web

Some key characteristics of the deep web include:

• Access Control: Content is often gated, requiring passwords or subscriptions.
• Privacy: There is an inherent privacy with user data not being publicly indexed.
• Volume: The deep web is exponentially larger than the surface web.

What is the Dark Web?

On the other hand, the dark web refers to a small portion of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. This area requires specific software, most commonly Tor, to access its content.

• Illegal Activities: The dark web is notorious for hosting illegal marketplaces, including drugs, weapons, and stolen data.
• Anonymity: Users often engage with the dark web to maintain privacy and anonymity for various reasons.
• Encrypted Access: Sites on the dark web use encrypted connections, making tracking difficult.

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Characteristics of the Dark Web

The dark web boasts several defining features:

• Accessibility: Requires specialized software, such as Tor or I2P.
• Risky Environment: High potential for encountering scams, illegal activities, and malicious software.
• Communities: Often home to forums and communities discussing a wide range of topics, from technology to illicit trades.

Differences Between Deep Web and Dark Web

Understanding the differences between the deep web and dark web is essential for users:

1. Access: Deep web content can often be accessed with the correct permissions, while dark web content requires special tools.
2. Content Type: The deep web has mostly benign information, whereas the dark web frequently involves illicit activity.
3. Anonymity: The deep web generally does not prioritize user anonymity, while the dark web is built around protecting user identity.

FAQs about the Deep Web and Dark Web

Is the deep web dangerous?

Generally, no. Most of the deep web consists of safe, legitimate content. However, caution is always advised when accessing unknown databases or subscription services.

Can you access the dark web safely?

Accessing the dark web poses significant risks. Using a VPN and being aware of common scams can help, but it’s crucial to understand the potential dangers involved.

Why do people use the dark web?

People may turn to the dark web for various reasons, including:

• Accessing banned content.
• Seeking anonymity for political activism or whistleblowing.
• Engaging in illegal activities.

Can anything be done about the illegal activities on the dark web?

Law enforcement agencies monitor the dark web and take action against illegal activities. However, anonymity features make it challenging to track offenders.