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Understanding the Deep Web and Dark Web
If it’s legal for them to sell your data in plain sight, imagine what cybercriminals are doing on the Dark Web with stolen personal information and their complete disregard for laws or regulations. In addition to the possibility of making big money on these Dark Web marketplaces, people seek the Dark Web for other reasons as well. This part of the internet also hosts vast amounts of child pornography, with some websites reaching tens or hundreds of thousands of users. Some use the Tor Project and Freenet as synonyms for the Dark Web, but that’s incorrect.
Exploiting open source intelligence provides situational awareness. Researchers from Recorded Future estimated that while there are more than 55,000 existing onion domains, only 8,400 (or roughly 15%) of these sites were active. This means that the total network of live dark web sites is only about 0.005% of the size of the surface web. Also, as more people access the dark web, the more of a talking point it becomes. As it becomes a popular topic, the interest rises, especially for children. This includes snuff films, child pornography, hitmen for hire, hackers, and much worse.
The terms deep web and dark web often create confusion among internet users, even though they represent entirely different parts of the web.
The deep web encompasses all parts of the internet that are not indexed by traditional search engines like Google or Bing.
Conversely, the dark web is a small portion of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are services that provide secure servers that enable private web access. These servers disguise your location and may impersonate sites from all over the world. Unfortunately, the dark web received a lot of media attention around 2014–15 when the founder of online black market Silk Road was convicted of various crimes, including several attempted murders-for-hire. Lately, hackers have been in the news due to attempts to sell stolen data on the dark web.
Key Differences Between Deep Web and Dark Web
First, since Google doesn’t index for dark web sites, you can’t find any by using a search engine. The darknets it operates on aren’t usually accessible via regular browsers – as we said, the Tor Network requires the Tor Browser. Note that bits and pieces of the data out of the Deep Web may be picked up by search engines in the case of a data breach or targeted attack. You may want to use Tor to avail yourself of some of the Dark Web’s services.
Understanding the differences between the deep web and the dark web can help you navigate and utilize these resources more effectively.
A doctor’s office with an online patient portal is using the Deep Web. This part of the internet is for anyone who wants the convenience of accessing their information online, while also enjoying the security of knowing only they can see it. The illicit activities of fraudsters are happening across the Gray, Deep, and Dark Web. But the real battle against fraudsters is on the Deep and Dark Web, where tracking their activity is much more difficult. Choosing the right Cyber Threat Intelligence platform can be the best weapon to win the war and protect your organization and customer data.
Deep and Dark Web sites, forums, messaging platforms and news sources, etc. platforms are covered by the monitoring service. Continuous monitoring, it helps to keep your organization, employees or customers safe. Web is the common name of the “World Wide Web“, which is a subset of the internet that consists of pages that can be accessed via any web browser. There are those who think the internet is just search engines, but the internet is a huge world. While Dark Web websites aren’t indexed and require special tools to access, they function like other websites. Not all unlawful activity on the Dark Web is necessarily malicious, though.
Smart Organizations Leverage The Dark Web To Fortify Security
- Access: The deep web can be accessed through regular browsers, while the dark web requires specific tools like Tor.
- Content: The content on the deep web includes academic databases, private corporate sites, and government resources, whereas the dark web hosts illegal activities, hacking forums, and black markets.
- Safety: The deep web is generally safe to browse if accessed properly; the dark web, however, carries significant risks, including malware and scams.
- Anonymity: Users on the dark web often seek anonymity, which can facilitate illicit behavior.
The Deep Web: A Broader Spectrum
- You can contract digital or criminal services, ranging from spam campaigns to distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
- The Dark web is another name for Darknet sites that often contain illegal information and databases referred to by criminals and unscrupulous individuals.
- Tor anonymizes users’ identity, location, and data transfers, so there tends to be a lot of criminal activity on the dark web.
- This is where things might get just a bit confusing, as the Dark Web in 2023 is nearly synonymous with illegal activity.
The deep web is vast and makes up approximately 90% of the entire internet.
Here are some common examples of content found in the deep web:
- Medical records and patient databases.
- Private corporate information.
- Legal documents and case files.
- Academic research and publications.
- Banking and financial records.
This information is non-indexed for various reasons, mainly to protect the privacy and confidentiality of users.
Exploring the Dark Web: Risks and Realities
While the dark web can serve as a platform for free speech and privacy, it also presents numerous threats.
Activities commonly associated with the dark web include:
- Drug trafficking.
- Illegal weapon sales.
- Human trafficking.
- Identity theft.
- Hacker services and tools.
Browsing the dark web can be dangerous, as users may encounter scams, malicious software, and law enforcement efforts.
FAQs
What is the most significant risk of accessing the dark web?
The greatest risk includes exposure to criminal activities, potential scams, and malware that can compromise your device.
Is everything on the dark web illegal?
While the dark web has a reputation for illegal content, not everything is illicit. Some sites advocate for privacy and free speech.
Can I access the deep web safely?
Yes, you can navigate the deep web safely by using secure passwords and trusted websites, much like browsing the surface web.
The distinction between the deep web and the dark web is crucial for understanding the breadth of online resources available and the associated risks of exploring them.
