Understanding the Deep Web and Dark Web
In an age where NSA-type surveillance is omnipresent and privacy seems like a thing of the past, the dark Web offers some relief to people who prize their anonymity. Dark Web search engines may not offer up personalized search results, but they don’t track your online behavior or offer up an endless stream of advertisements, either. Bitcoin may not be entirely stable, but it offers privacy, which is something your credit card company most certainly does not. Human trafficking, child pornography, drugs, weapons are prohibited by law. In that case, everyone who commits such actions is considered a criminal by the law. Besides, all those who trade in such goods and services are violating the law as well.
To access a page on the Deep Web, users must have prior knowledge of its IP address or URL. Pages on the deep web can still be accessed using traditional web browsers. The collection of web pages that have been crawled and indexed by search engines is known as the Surface Web (or the Indexed Web, or Visible Web). These web pages are freely accessible to the public using the most common web browser applications like Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. According to the Journal of Electronic Publishing, the Deep Web contains 400 to 550 times more public information than the Surface Web. Search engines such as Bing and Google account for only 0.4% of the indexed Surface Web.
Ironically, the original onion routing technology behind Tor was developed by the U.S. The dark web uses cryptographic methods to partially anonymise users. This is done primarily by relaying encrypted traffic through a series of nodes, also known as onion routing, using TOR (or The Onion Router) browsers. This obfuscates IP addresses and other identifiers, hiding the user’s requests and communications. The network infrastructure is dynamic and randomised, making connections difficult to trace.
The terms deep web and dark web are often used interchangeably, but they represent different aspects of the internet that are not indexed by standard search engines. Understanding their distinctions is crucial in today’s digital landscape.
- Originally used by the United States Department of Defense to communicate anonymously, the dark web has now become a hub for users wishing to remain anonymous around the world.
- It was largely the introduction of Bitcoin in 2009 that transformed the dark web into a sanctuary for criminals.
- Each relay knows only the previous and the next relays, but full connection route stays almost untraceable.
- Moreover, if ProtonMail gets blocked in your country, Tor can circumvent this block.
While the exact figure is undecided, some experts believe it is as much as 5% of the Internet. The Dark Web can also provide some highly illegal services, such as assassinations. You may have heard about theDark Web contract killer who was hired by an Italian IT worker at a major corporation to assassinate his former partner. The suspect was caught after Europol conducted a crypto-analysis of the Bitcoin transaction to trace the suspect. A popular analogy compares the Internet to an iceberg, where the Surface Web is the visible portion while the Deep Web is the much larger submerged part. Another way to look at the Deep Web vs Surface Web question is to imagine traversing outer space in a spaceship with an incomplete map.
Defining the Deep Web
It also offers services that enable cybercriminals to launch attacks with little technical knowledge or experience. Essentially, the Dark Web uses a cluster of nodes and networks called “darknets.” These include — but aren’t limited to — peer-to-peer networks — small and big — including Tor and Freenet. While most people access the internet through common web browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, and Edge, there are deeper levels of the internet that aren’t accessible by the average user. The same anonymity that protects criminals also helps protect the privacy of those who may otherwise be persecuted for their opinions, beliefs, or even identities.
The deep web refers to all parts of the internet that are not indexed by search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. This includes:
What’s known as the dark web exists within the deep web; it’s an area of the internet that is only accessible by users who have a Tor browser installed. In general, most average internet users will never need to access content on the dark web, although it is perfectly legal to use Tor. On the other hand, the dark web welcomes more distinct groups of users, like criminals, whistleblowers, or political dissidents, who leverage off the anonymity the dark web provides. With that said, any regular internet user can visit the dark web, which is not illegal to use.
In attempting to access the Dark Web, there’s an invisible line that a person acknowledges they’re crossing – or maybe they don’t. Either way, no one is accessing the Dark Web with a sense of optimism and happiness. As cyber attacks accelerate and nefarious actors all over the globe seek to more rapidly connect with buyers of illegal goods and information, the term Dark Web has entered the lexicon in a prominent way. Top safety measures should be taken when accessing a potentially dangerous place like the dark web. Yes, you can access the dark web on mobile, but remember, you can do so if you have a Tor browser installed. Tor Metrics is the website that measures who and where uses the network.
- Databases
- Private corporate websites
- Online banking systems
- Medical records
- Educational resources
- Subscription-based content
How To Access Dark Web
In fact, the deep web is estimated to be significantly larger than the surface web, which contains all the easily searchable content. According to some estimates, the deep web might be hundreds of times larger than the surface web.
Diving into the Dark Web
The dark web is a subset of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. Some notable characteristics of the dark web include:
- Anonymity: Users and site operators can remain anonymous.
- Use of specific networks: Access typically requires the Tor browser or I2P.
- Illegal activities: While not all content is illegal, many dark web marketplaces host illicit activities.
Overall, the dark web has gained notoriety for its associations with criminal activities, including drug trafficking, weapons sales, and hacking services.
Differences Between Deep Web and Dark Web
Here are some key differences:
| Aspect | Deep Web | Dark Web |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Standard browsers | Specialized software (e.g., Tor) |
| Content Type | Legitimate websites, databases | Anonymous and often illegal activities |
| Legal Status | Legal | Mixed, depending on content |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the deep web safe to navigate?
Yes, the deep web is generally safe as long as users operate within legal boundaries. However, it includes sites that require passwords or subscriptions, so maintaining personal information security is crucial.
2. Do I need special software to access the dark web?
Yes, accessing the dark web typically requires the Tor browser or similar software, designed to anonymize user activity.
3. What are the risks of exploring the dark web?
The dark web can expose users to illegal activities and potential scams. Additionally, navigating it can lead to cybersecurity risks such as malware and hacking.
4. Can I find anything legitimate on the dark web?
Yes, while it is primarily known for illegal activities, there are some legitimate uses for the dark web, such as forums for whistleblowers and platforms for political activists.
Conclusion
The deep web and dark web are integral parts of the internet that often go unnoticed by the average user. By understanding their differences and implications, individuals can navigate the online landscape more safely and responsibly.
