The common misconception about the dark web is that it is a place where all sorts of shady things happen, from dealing illegal drugs to hiring hitmen. While there are definitely dangers lurking in the dark web, it’s also used positively by journalists, whistleblowers, and many others. The Silk Road — one of the most famous dark web marketplaces — was known for these types of illegal items.
The terms “dark web” and “deep web” are sometimes used interchangeably but the two concepts are actually quite different. The deep web simply refers to all the websites that aren’t indexed by search engines. This includes intranets, government databases, and all manner of other benign sites that aren’t publicly available. And, of course, the dark web is also used by individuals who don’t have a particularly noteworthy motive at all – except for the fact that they want their online activity to remain private.
Find out how one single platform can help you deliver timely, actionable threat intelligence to reduce cyber risk, faster. Silobreaker puts the widest range of threat intelligence in one place, automatically collecting and analysing data from millions of sources, including those on the open, deep and dark web. The internet you use to search for more information is referred to as the surface web or open web. This is the readily visible part of the internet anyone can access with an internet connection and a normal web browser like Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome. Other terms for the surface web include the visible web, lightnet, or indexed web.
There is also potential for psychological damage since there is so much illegal activity and you may find deeply disturbing material. If you approach the dark web, keep these concerns in mind—especially if you are not technically minded. There are legitimate areas of the deep web, including mainstream sites like Netflix. That’s because websites are personalized to users’ preferences and aren’t always indexed. The deep web simply refers to the pages on the internet that are not indexed in search engines. In other words, you can’t find them when you perform a search within a search engine like Google.
These websites will also use .onion top-level domain names, and many of them will be very long, random combinations of letters and numbers. You won’t be able to access .onion addresses using a standard search engine as they aren’t indexed by crawlers. There are many legitimate uses for dark web services and communication. Drugs, weapons, and stolen IP and data are all hot businesses on the dark web, with terabytes of information on offer.
Understanding the Dark Web: What is on the Dark Web?
These groups develop their own sophisticated malware, sometimes combined with pre-existing tools, and distribute them through “affiliates”. The U.S government developed the dark web to allow spies to communicate anonymously. The US government created the dark web to give spies a platform for exchanging ideas anonymously. When the Bitcoin software was released to the public in 2009, it was a significant milestone in the dark web because it gave users the chance to purchase items anonymously.
The term dark web refers to a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines like Google, making it less accessible and often more mysterious than the surface web. It operates using specialized software, such as Tor, to anonymize users and hide their online activities.
Content Found on the Dark Web
So, what is on the dark web? The content ranges from innocuous to illegal and even dangerous. Here’s a breakdown of various types of content typically found:
- Illegal Goods: This includes drugs, firearms, and counterfeit currency.
- Stolen Data: Personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and login credentials are frequently sold.
- Hacker Services: Offerings such as hacking tools, services for hire, or access to compromised accounts.
- Forums and Communities: Various online communities focus on topics such as cybersecurity, privacy, and hacking discussions.
- Whistleblower Platforms: Websites like SecureDrop allow whistleblowers to leak information anonymously.
- Extreme Content: Some sites share graphic or illegal material, including violence and exploitation.
- Cryptocurrency Services: Transactions using cryptocurrencies are common, due to their anonymity features.
Otherwise, there’s a good chance of falling victim to a phishing scam like this fake Bitcoin mixer. Reddit is also a valuable resource for finding the dark net or deep website you’re looking for. NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 for the dark web with no restrictions for a month—great if you want to try this no-log provider’s Onion over VPN servers for yourself. Whistle blowers have used the dark web to communicate with journalists, but more frequently, it has been used by paedophile groups, terrorists and criminals to keep their dealings secret.
Accessing the Dark Web
To access the dark web, users typically need:
- Specialized Software: Tools like Tor or I2P to browse hidden services.
- Knowledge of URLs: Unlike traditional web addresses, many dark web sites have complex and random strings of characters.
- Security Measures: Ensuring online privacy using VPNs and other security protocols is often recommended.
FAQs about the Dark Web
1. What differentiates the dark web from the deep web?
The deep web encompasses all parts of the internet not indexed by search engines, including emails, databases, and private websites, whereas the dark web is a small portion of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible without specific software.
- If you are a CreditWise user and get an alert, you’ll get tips about things you can do to help protect your personal info.
- While the Tor browser works like a standard browser, web addresses on the dark web tend to be a mix of random numbers and letters, making it difficult for users to find the requisite information.
- You’ll actually have to find the dark websites that you want to search on your own.
- That said, it’s still important to take as many precautions as you can to keep your family and your technology safe.
- Moreover, the Tor network, which routes traffic through multiple servers and masks the source of a connection, has vulnerabilities that can be exploited to track user activities.
Is It Illegal To Browse The Dark Web?
2. Is everything on the dark web illegal?
Not everything on the dark web is illegal. While it hosts a significant amount of illicit content, there are also legal uses, such as privacy-focused discussions and platforms for whistleblowers.
3. Is accessing the dark web safe?
Accessing the dark web carries risks, including exposure to illegal content, hacking attempts, and potential malware. Caution and robust security measures are essential.
4. How is cryptocurrency used on the dark web?
Cryptocurrency provides a layer of anonymity that is attractive to users transacting on the dark web, facilitating the buying and selling of goods without revealing personal information.
Conclusion
In summary, what is on the dark web is a complex mix of both illicit and legitimate activities, shrouded in anonymity. While it presents opportunities for privacy and free speech, it also harbors significant risks and illegal activities that warrant caution for anyone considering exploring this hidden part of the internet.
