Exploring the Dark Web: What You Need to Know
You Need A Special Browser To Access The Dark Web
If you visualize the internet as an ocean, you’ll find it populated with websites and collections of data at all depths. Yet, the typical internet user only has access to the first few feet, a layer of the internet known as the surface web. To maintain anonymity, all transactions on the dark web are conducted with Bitcoin, a virtually untraceable digital currency, and other types of digital currencies. As a result, dark web users can interact, communicate, share files and conduct business confidentially. The dark web contains a wide variety of services and content to its users, some of which skirts or disregards legality.
The term “dark web” has gained prominence in recent years, often associated with illicit activities and mysterious online marketplaces. To comprehend what it entails, it’s essential to distinguish it from the surface web and the deep web.
Although the data may be publicly available on social media or in business directories, it’s scraped and reposted. “But it still exposes a vast number of individuals to phishing scams, corporate fraud, and social engineering,” he says. According to the Privacy Affairs Dark Web Price Index, attackers can make a lot of money from stolen personal information on anything from credit cards to Netflix accounts. Currently, the going rate for stolen credit card information with a balance of up to $1,000 is only $70, while cards with a balance of up to $5,000 cost $110. “The index shows how cheap it is to get data on the dark web,” says Biswas. Data is the most common commodity sold on the dark web, according to Nirmit Biswas, senior research analyst at Market Research Future.
Much of the content on the deep web would not be available at all if only the surface web existed. Private databases can be as simple as a few photos shared between friends on Dropbox. They also include financial transactions made on major sites like PayPal.
Most of the content online sits on the Deep Web, which is not accessible via search engines, like the world wide web is. That is because the Deep Web hosts information that is private for a range of reasons, mainly security and privacy related. As previously mentioned, more than 90% of the traffic on the Net is already on the deep web, so the keys to accessing it safely are virtually the same as for the open web. While you obviously don’t have to perform a penetration test on every website you log into, you should ensure that it runs on a secure framework that uses HTTPS encryption. For instance, when you log in to your favorite video streaming site or check your bank account balance online, that’s the deep web at work.
Understanding the Web Layers
Browsers like Tor, an open-source and free software, allow people to access dark websites where these goods are available, like a digital marketplace. These websites may look similar to any other surface or deep website you’d encounter. Malicious software, also known as malware, is a critical concern and can affect unsuspecting users. Even simply browsing the dark web out of curiosity can expose you to such threats, like phishing malware or keyloggers. While an endpoint security program can identify such threats if they end up on your computer, it’s ideal to avoid them altogether.
The Dark Web remains inaccessible to search engines like Google or Bing due to the technologies used. The content cannot be indexed by them and, in most cases, this is not desirable as they violate the guidelines of the search engines. The information that can be found in worldwide networks by users and search engines is only a small part of what is considered to be the World Wide Web by experts. Estimates assume that search engines or URLs can only reach 1 to 5 percent of all information. As a result, the Deep Web and the Dark Web would be much larger than the Internet we use every day. To employ a skilled technology analyst before building any type of dark web monitoring.
The internet is generally divided into three layers:
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. Meanwhile, the dark web is part of the iceberg deepest in the water – you’d need special diving equipment to reach it.
- Surface Web: This is the portion of the internet that is indexed by search engines and is accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Examples include social media, blogs, and news sites.
- Deep Web: This segment encompasses content not indexed by standard search engines, such as online banking, medical records, and private databases. It is significantly larger than the surface web but is typically legal and safe to access.
- Dark Web: This is a small section of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It requires special software, like Tor, to access.
What’s Dark Web? A Closer Look
The dark web is often shrouded in mystery and fear. Here are some key points to understand what it is:
- Many sites on the dark web operate anonymously, allowing users to interact without revealing their identities.
- It can host both legal and illegal activities, including forums, blogs, and marketplaces.
- Popular dark web marketplaces have been known for the sale of illegal drugs, weapons, and stolen data.
- While it does harbor illegal activities, it also serves as a platform for whistleblowers and activists, providing a way to communicate without fear of censorship.
Accessing the Dark Web
To venture into the dark web, specific tools and precautions are necessary:
- Using Tor: This is the most common method for accessing the dark web. Tor anonymizes your internet traffic by routing it through multiple servers.
- VPN Services: Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) add another layer of security, hiding your IP address and encrypting your data.
- Safe Browsing Practices: Always be cautious about what information you share. The dark web can be rife with scams and malicious content.
Issues and Controversies
The dark web is not without its controversies and risks:
- While it provides anonymity, it also facilitates illegal transactions and criminal activity.
- Law enforcement agencies are continually working to monitor and infiltrate dark web networks.
- The presence of harmful content raises ethical questions about freedom of expression versus public safety.
FAQs About the Dark Web
Q1: Is the dark web illegal?
A: Accessing the dark web itself is not illegal; however, many activities conducted on it, such as buying illicit drugs or weapons, are unlawful.
Q2: What can you find on the dark web?
A: While there are illegal activities, you can find forums, blogs, and whistleblower services, alongside legitimate content.
Q3: Is using the dark web safe?
- Given that the dark web is more difficult to access than the standard internet, it understandably contains a much smaller number of websites.
- The deep web includes the internal sites of companies, organizations, and schools.
- Building on their work, the Tor Network went live in 2002, making the dark web widely available for the first time.
- For instance, the website of the Torch dark web browser is cnkj6nippubgycuj.onion, while the Tor website for DuckDuckGo is 3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion.
A: It can be safe if proper precautions are taken. Using Tor and a VPN, along with being cautious about sharing information, can mitigate risks.
Q4: Why do people use the dark web?
A: Users may seek privacy for various reasons, such as escaping government censorship, sharing sensitive information securely, or engaging in illegal activities.
In conclusion, understanding what’s dark web involves recognizing its dual nature. It is a realm that can offer both anonymity and safety, as well as peril and illegality. Approach it with informed caution.
