Drugs, weapons, pornography, malware, and ransomware are all bought, sold, and traded in huge numbers. Buyers and sellers are protected by Tor, data encryption, and of course, cryptocurrency. The deep web is the part of the internet you can’t access through search engines like Google and Bing. Also referred to as “non-indexed” content, it’s any content hidden behind some kind of access control such as a log-in or code word. It contains 7,500 terabytes of information, compared with only 19 terabytes of information in the “surface” web. To look at it in a different way, it makes up between 90% and 95% of the internet.
You can use it to remain anonymous without fear of repercussion if you want to express yourself freely. But this amount of privacy has helped it gain a bad reputation as a forum for those who want to use it for illicit activities. If you’re looking to use the dark web, it’s as simple as installing a private browser, using a VPN, and making sure your computer remains safe and secure. Because of its association with certain illicit activities, there have been calls for regulation of the dark web.
What Is The Dark Web And How Do You Access It?
The internet is a vast and complex network of interconnected computers, servers, and devices. While the surface web is easily accessible and indexed by search engines, there are parts of the internet that are not. These hidden corners of the web are collectively known as the deep web and the dark web. In this article, we will explore the differences between the deep web and the dark web, and what makes them unique.
What is an example of the deep web?
Some examples of things on the Deep Web include email, subscription content (like Netflix), online banking, databases, internal company networks, or even non-public social media pages.
The deep web is often conflated with the dark web in public discourse, but they are not the same. Web content in the dark web is de facto ‘invisible’ to search engines because they are unable to crawl it. Where this differs from the deep web is that much of the deep web is not intentionally hidden from public access, whereas dark web content is deliberately obscured.
Tor: How To Access It In The Deep Web
What is the Deep Web?
The deep web refers to the parts of the internet that are not indexed by search engines. This includes databases, intranets, and other private networks that require authentication or a specific URL to access. While some people mistakenly believe that the deep web is a haven for illegal activity, the truth is that it is mostly made up of harmless and mundane content.
- Not accessible via search engines: The deep web is not indexed by search engines like Google or Bing, making it difficult to access without knowing the specific URL.
- Mostly harmless: The deep web is mostly made up of harmless content, such as academic databases, private networks, and other non-indexed sites.
- Requires authentication: Many deep web sites require a username and password or other form of authentication to access.
Is The Dark Web Dangerous Or Illegal?
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web hosts all kinds of illegal activities, many of which are the buying and selling of firearms, drugs, counterfeit money, fake passports, and stolen accounts. Darren Guccione is the CEO and co-founder of Keeper Security, the world’s most popular password manager and secure digital vault. Keeper is the first and only password management application to be preloaded with mobile operators and device manufacturers including, AT&T, Orange, America Movil and HTC. Keeper has millions of consumer customers and the business solution protects thousands of organizations worldwide. Law enforcement officials are getting better at finding and prosecuting owners of sites that sell illicit goods and services. In the summer of 2017, a team of cyber cops from three countries successfully shut down AlphaBay, the dark web’s largest source of contraband, sending shudders throughout the network.
The dark web is a small part of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access. It is often associated with illegal activity, such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and hacking. While there are legitimate uses for the dark web, it is important to be cautious when accessing it.
- Requires special software: The dark web can only be accessed using special software, such as the Tor browser.
- Associated with illegal activity: The dark web is often associated with illegal activity, such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and hacking.
- Anonymity: The dark web provides a high level of anonymity, making it a popular choice for criminals and whistleblowers alike.
FAQs
Is the deep web and the dark web the same thing? No, the deep web and the dark web are not the same thing. The deep web refers to the parts of the internet that are not indexed by search engines, while the dark web is a small part of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access.
Is it illegal to access the deep web or the dark web? No, it is not illegal to access the deep web or the dark web. However, engaging in illegal activities on either network is against the law.
Can I get a virus or malware from accessing the deep web or the dark web? Yes, there is a risk of getting a virus or malware from accessing the deep web or the dark web. It is important to use caution and protect your computer with antivirus software.
How do I access the deep web or the dark web? The deep web can be accessed by visiting non-indexed sites with a specific URL. The dark web can be accessed using special software, such as the Tor browser.
- The dark web doesn’t have an index or ranking system, which means you can’t search for sites like you would with Google or other search engines.
- Deep web, a part of the Internet that extends beyond the reach of search engines such as Google, Yahoo!
- In fact, there are instances where individuals can use it for good.
- The Tor network began as an anonymous communications channel, and it still serves a valuable purpose in helping people communicate in environments that are hostile to free speech.
- It’s a free, open-source software using a global network of servers to help you stay anonymous online.
Conclusion
The deep web and the dark web are often misunderstood and associated with illegal activity. However, the truth is that the deep web is mostly made up of harmless and mundane content, while the dark web is a small part of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access. While there are legitimate uses for the dark web, it is important to be cautious when accessing it and to protect yourself from potential risks.
What happened to Silk Road Bitcoins?
The FBI initially seized 26,000 bitcoins from accounts on Silk Road, worth approximately $3.6 million at the time. An FBI spokesperson said that the agency would hold the bitcoins until Ulbricht's trial finished, after which the bitcoins would be liquidated.