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Understanding the Deep Web vs Dark Web
Freenet’s release to the public in 2000 helped activists to bring attention to the need for a way to stay anonymous online. It was followed by the Tor network, created by the US intelligence community to communicate in secret. Released to the public in 2004, Tor later became a browser offering easier access to the dark web. While the dark web can be accessed by various browsers, Tor (The Onion Router) is the most popular and well-known. The surface web is part of the iceberg above the water, visible and accessible to everyone. Then the deep web is right under the water – it’s less accessible, but basic swimming skills would be enough to get there.
The terms deep web and dark web are often used interchangeably, but they represent two distinct parts of the internet.
The indexes add a layer of uncertainty as it’s extremely difficult to verify the authenticity of a site on the dark web prior to accessing it. Illicit black markets have found a home on the dark web where you can purchase everything including novelty items, weapons, drugs, compromised credit card accounts, and even human trafficking victims. Some of these markets have abruptly closed and absconded with their customers’ money, and several have been seized by US and European law enforcement agencies. While anonymity is key to the dark web, it’s important to remember that it’s nearly impossible to be truly anonymous on the internet. Typically, those who want or need access to corporate content already know how to access it. This includes online classrooms and other teaching materials owned by schools and universities.
What is the Deep Web?
The deep web encompasses all parts of the internet that are not indexed by standard search engines like Google and Bing.
Some characteristics of the deep web include:
- Websites requiring authentication (e.g., banking sites)
- Academic databases and journals
- Internal company networks
- Private social media profiles
While the original aim of the dark web was to facilitate secret communication, the network’s anonymous nature also encouraged illegal activity. Helped by the launch of Bitcoin in 2009, the dark web quickly became a platform for criminals to source and deliver illegal items. You might use the dark web if you live in a country in which the government censors or spies on online activity. By using the Tor browser to access the dark web, you can visit sites that your government might prefer you not. Visiting the dark web, though, is different than accessing the deep web.
The hotspots for illegal activity on the Dark Web are marketplaces and forums where bad actors transact illegal products and services. Greenberg notes that while the deep web is vast and accounts for 90-something percent of the Internet, the dark web likely only accounts for about .01 percent. The dark web, sometimes referred to as Darknet, is accessed by Tor (The Onion Router) or I2P (Invisible Internet Project), which use masked IP addresses to maintain anonymity for users and site owners. This way, people who use the dark web for illegal purposes can’t be traced, and it’s difficult to tell who hosts a particular site. What the dark web and the deep web have in common is that they are both hidden from commercial search engines. The deep web is a general, catch-all term that includes not only the dark web, but also includes a lot of “mundane content,” according to Andy Greenberg at Wired.
Then get a data-monitoring tool like Avast BreachGuard to keep your personal information safe. Even though the dark web is touted as being private and secure, there are still risks involved. Just like the surface web, the dark web is riddled with scams, phishing sites, and malware designed to exploit new users who may not know any better.
Later, we’ll delve deeper into how to access the dark web, but for now, you should just be aware that if you find yourself on a Web page and you have no idea how you got there, it isn’t part of the dark web. The deep web is essentially the unindexed portion of the web that search engines cannot access. Most of the Deep Web is just stuff that’s too old or obscure to be found by one of Google’s web crawler bots that they use to help maintain their search engine.
The deep web is estimated to be significantly larger than the surface web, which includes all public websites accessible via standard search engines.
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. Avast BreachGuard scans the dark web and will alert you immediately if and when it detects your personal data. BreachGuard will guide you through the process of recovering your accounts and protecting them before a hacker can use your leaked credentials.
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a small segment of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and cannot be accessed through standard web browsers.
Accessing the dark web typically requires special software, such as Tor (The Onion Router), which anonymizes user activity.
Key features of the dark web include:
- Anonymous activity by users
- Access to illegal activities (e.g., drugs, weapons, stolen data)
- Forums for whistleblowers and activists
- Cryptocurrency transactions for privacy
While the dark web is often associated with illegal activities, it also serves as a safe haven for privacy advocates and journalists working in oppressive regimes.
Deep Web vs Dark Web: Key Differences
Here are some crucial differences between the deep web and dark web:
| Aspect | Deep Web | Dark Web |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Requires specific credentials or permissions | Requires specialized software (e.g., Tor) |
| Legitimacy | Primarily legal and legitimate content | Often associated with illegal activities |
| Size | Much larger than the surface web | Much smaller portion of the deep web |
| Purpose | Data protection, privacy, and restricted access | Anonymity and privacy for illicit and legal activities |
FAQs
1. Is all content on the Dark Web illegal?
No, while the dark web is known for illegal activities, it also hosts legitimate resources for those seeking privacy.
- Once you have installed the Tor Browser, open it and enter the address of a website on the dark web.
- The number of dark web listings that could harm an enterprise has risen by 20% since 2016.
- There is a great deal of privacy and anonymity that comes with using the dark web compared to traditional websites.
- The addresses and whereabouts of each den are known to a limited circle of individuals, although many are aware that they exist somewhere.
2. Can I access the Deep Web easily?
Yes, much of the deep web can be accessed through standard web browsers if you have the necessary credentials.
3. What risks are associated with the Dark Web?
Accessing the dark web can expose users to illegal activities, scams, malware, and potential legal repercussions.
In conclusion, understanding the distinction between the deep web and dark web is essential for navigating the complexities of the internet.
