What is the deep web vs dark web?
The deep web is largely used to protect personal information, safeguard databases and access certain services, whereas the dark web is often used to engage in illegal activities. It is also used for military/police investigations, political protests and anonymous internet browsing.
The internet is a vast and mysterious place, with hidden corners and dark alleys that many people are unaware of. Two such corners are the Deep Web and the Dark Web, two terms that are often used interchangeably but which actually refer to two distinct parts of the internet.
This could include government services to access your records, health care services, members-only areas, intranets, or corporate resources. On the other hand, there are numerous valid reasons for people to utilize the dark net. This section of the internet is home to illegal drugs, illegal firearms sales and child pornography. It’s also a place for hackers o sell the personal and financial information of victims, such as their Social Security numbers and credit card numbers. People often use the dark web to keep their online activity anonymous. And this increased protection is what can motivate cybercriminals to use the platform for illegal activity.
Latest Dark Web News – January 2024
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. Darknet, Dark web, Deep web – many have heard these terms, but not everyone knows their definitions and the difference between the Deep and Dark web. More importantly, few know whether it is illegal to go on the Dark web or not and how secure it is. Unsupervised Learning is a security, AI, and meaning-focused newsletter/podcast that looks at how best to thrive as humans in a post-AI world. It combines original ideas and analysis to bring you not just what’s happening—but why it matters, and how to respond.
What is the Deep Web?
Access
The Deep Web is the part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines like Google. This means that it is not easily accessible to the general public, but it is not necessarily illegal or nefarious. In fact, much of the Deep Web is made up of academic databases, corporate intranets, and other sites that are only accessible to certain users with specific permissions.
Dark Web Tools And Services
While the Deep Web may be difficult to access, it is not inherently dangerous. However, it is important to exercise caution when exploring this part of the internet, as there are some sites that may contain malware or other security risks. It is also worth noting that some illegal activities do take place on the Deep Web, so it is important to be aware of the risks and to take appropriate precautions.
- Sci-Hub provides free access to scientific papers, with millions of documents.
- Some of this information can be extremely valuable on darknet forums.
- They’re also able to gain access to your computer simply by browsing.
- Avast BreachGuard scans the dark web and will alert you immediately if and when it detects your personal data.
What is the Dark Web?
Illuminating The Hidden Corners: An Exhaustive Examination Of The Hidden Web And Shadow Web Cosmos
Intranets, or internal networks used by companies and academic institutions, cannot be accessed by the public. They require access to a specific VPN service and credentials before they can be viewed. Organizations use intranets for internal communication and documentation and for hosting internal online tools. Interestingly, even Facebook can be accessed as a Tor-hidden service, allowing users in countries with no legal access to its platform to visit the website safely.
It can only be used to access the content uploaded to the Freenet, which is a peer-to-peer distributed data store. Once you upload something, it stays there indefinitely even if you stop using Freenet, so long as it is popular. After all, it’s much less popular, can’t be used to access normal websites, and isn’t as easy to use, among other disadvantages. Both rely on a peer-to-peer routing structure combined with layered encryption to make browsing private and anonymous. Dark net websites are called “Tor hidden services”, and they can be distinguished from normal websites by their URLs.
The Dark Web is a small subset of the Deep Web that is intentionally hidden and only accessible through special software like the Tor browser. Unlike the Deep Web, the Dark Web is known for its association with illegal activities, including the sale of drugs, weapons, and stolen data. The anonymity provided by the Tor network makes it a popular destination for criminals and hackers, and law enforcement agencies around the world are actively working to combat illegal activities on the Dark Web.
Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, once said, “The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn’t understand.” He was not wrong. In fact, when most people think about the Internet, people they think of booking a vacation online, logging onto social media, or watching a video on YouTube. You’ll actually have to find the dark websites that you want to search on your own. For example, dissidents who fear political prosecution from their governments might use the dark web to communicate with each other. As many as 70.79% of users claim to use the Tor browser for anonymity, 62.28% said they use it for additional security, and 27.07% used it out of curiosity about the dark web.
It is important to note that not all activity on the Dark Web is illegal or nefarious. There are also legitimate uses for the Tor network, including protecting the identities of journalists, activists, and whistleblowers. However, the vast majority of the Dark Web is dedicated to illegal activities, and it is not a place that most people should venture into without a good reason and a solid understanding of the risks involved.
Conclusion
The Deep Web and the Dark Web are two distinct parts of the internet that are often misunderstood and conflated. While the Deep Web is simply the part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines, the Dark Web is a hidden and anonymous part of the internet that is known for its association with illegal activities. It is important to exercise caution when exploring either part of the internet, and to be aware of the risks and potential dangers involved.
Can someone track your Tor history?
When using Tor Browser, no one can see the websites that you visit. However, your service provider or network admins may be able to see that you're connecting to the Tor network, though they won't know what you're doing when you get there.
