However, since your traffic is routed through nodes that you don’t have any control over, you are at the mercy of whoever operates these nodes. The terms “deep web” and “dark web” are commonly used interchangeably. Although this is accurate in terms of the underlying technology, there is a slight difference. The deep web refers to non-indexed webpages as a whole, while dark web refers more specifically to the parts of the deep web where you can engage in illicit activities. If you’ve followed the news in the last two decades, you’ve probably heard stories and seen headlines about the deep web or dark web.
Understanding the Deep Web
The deep web consists of parts of the internet that are not indexed by standard search engines. Unlike the surface web, which includes sites like social media platforms, blogs, and publicly accessible websites, the deep web is hidden from general view and contains a vast array of resources.
Characteristics of the Deep Web
Some distinct features of the deep web include:
- Dynamic Content: Many pages are generated in response to user queries and are inaccessible unless specific search terms are used.
- Private Databases: Academic, medical, and corporate databases that require subscriptions for access are found in the deep web.
- Intranets: Private networks used by organizations for internal communication and data storage.
- Paywalled Content: Publications and journals that require payment or a subscription to view articles.
Regular Search Engines Vs Deep Web Search Engines
You may still access deep web URLs using regular browsers; however, most URLs contain lengthy strings of letters and numbers that require patience when browsing them. It’s a hidden collective of sites that you could only access through a special browser. Since all activity on the dark web is anonymous by default, it is definitely where the murkiest transactions on the internet take place. A study by researchers at King’s College London that examined the contents of over 2,700 darknet sites found that approximately 60% of them hosted illicit content. It contains 7,500 terabytes of information, compared with only 19 terabytes of information in the “surface” web.
Some of those harmful things include credit card numbers, guns, and stolen subscriptions. There is even software that makes it possible for you to remotely access the computers of others. 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. This means you have to know the exact address to the site to access it. The only other way to access a deep web site is to click on a link once you are inside the deep web.
This also includes academic journals, online marketplaces, and internet forums. With those clarification formalities out of the way, now for a quick history lesson. On September 22, 2002, US naval researchers released The Onion Router, or Tor, to the world, a software that conceals the user’s IP address and keeps them anonymous. Tor was eventually distributed amongst the public to mitigate this problem, who have since took to using it for…
You don’t need any special tools or a dark net browser to access most of the deep web; you just need to know where to look. Specialized search engines, directories, and wikis can help users locate the data they’re looking for. The Deep Web is anything on the Internet that users can’t find or access through traditional means such as popular search engines or major web browsers. Content on the Deep Web is not readily available because it’s not fully indexed by search engines or because it’s password-protected. In addition, the dark web can’t be accessed through typical browsers such as Firefox or Chrome.
A Hidden Service (also known as an ‘onion service’) is one where not only the user, but also the website itself, have their anonymity protected by Tor. This means that the IP address of the site cannot be identified, meaning that information about its host, location or content is hidden. Hidden Services are sometimes called “onion addresses” because the website name often ends .onion. The Dark Web is a collection of websites, forums, and marketplaces that are only accessible by using the Tor browser.
Later, the U.S. government developed The Onion Router (Tor) to let their intelligence officers communicate anonymously. This later became open source, leading to the Tor that we see today which lets civilians access the Dark Web, for good or bad. This includes corporate or government whistleblowers (such as WikiLeaks) that publish sensitive information on the Dark Web. If you’re concerned that your personal information could be floating around on the Dark Web or Deep Web, you need to know what that means for your personal and financial safety. After all, not everyone buying on the dark web may need something illegal — they may only want to purchase goods anonymously. Pirated software, movies, books, and other files are shared widely on the dark web.
While the deep web is often confused with the dark web, it is important to note that they are not synonymous. The dark web is a small portion of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers.
Uses of the Deep Web
The deep web serves numerous legitimate and ethical purposes, including:
- Academic Research: Scholars and students access vast databases of journals, theses, and research papers.
- Medical Records: Secure storage of sensitive patient data not available to the general public.
- Financial Transactions: Online banking and secure transaction systems designed to protect user information.
- Private Communication: Intranets and secure messaging platforms used by organizations to protect sensitive information.
Accessing the Deep Web
Accessing the deep web typically requires specialized tools and knowledge. Here are some ways individuals can explore this hidden part of the internet:
- Database Access: Utilize login credentials to access specific databases or resources.
- Specialized Search Engines: Use search engines that index deep web content, such as DuckDuckGo or specific academic search engines.
- VPNs and Proxies: For certain sections, particularly in the dark web, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or proxy may be necessary to maintain anonymity.
- With many Tor-based sites being overtaken by police authorities across the globe, there is a clear danger of becoming government target for simply visiting a dark website.
- The Dark Net is a section of the internet that is not even visible to ordinary users or available through Search engines.
- Learn how to protect your data from financial fraud and identity theft.
- Logging in is how you access the part of the Web that has your personal information, or the internal network you use at your job.
FAQs About the Deep Web
Q: What is the difference between the deep web and the dark web?
A: The deep web encompasses all unindexed parts of the internet, while the dark web refers specifically to websites that require special software to access, often associated with illegal activities.
Q: Is it safe to explore the deep web?
A: While there are safe areas within the deep web, caution is always advised. Users should avoid sharing personal information and ensure they use secure connections.
Q: How much of the internet is considered the deep web?
A: Estimates suggest that the deep web is significantly larger than the surface web, with figures often indicating it to be over 90% of the total internet.
In conclusion, the deep web represents a substantial and often misunderstood part of the internet, containing a wealth of information not available through traditional search engines. By understanding its structure and uses, users can safely navigate its resources for research and information purposes.
