Contents
The deep web is the 99% of the internet that you can’t search on a search engine. Cyber hygiene refers to cybersecurity best practices that everyone who actively uses the internet should be implementing to keep themselves and their data protected from common cyber threats. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an extra layer of security you can enable on your accounts. MFA protects you in the event that someone is able to gain access to your login credentials since it requires a second method of authentication before they’re able to successfully log in. These dangers can interrupt business operations, defraud a company and devalue a brand’s integrity.
While web content not indexed by standard search engines is as old as the Internet, the term Deep Web itself was coined by Computer-scientistMichael K. Bergman in 2001. As mentioned, The Onion Router, which helped fuel the Dark Web, was a creation of the US Naval Research Laboratory in the mid-1990s to shield the identity of intelligence agents. As TOR grew in sophistication, it was also adopted by criminals and others who wished to remain anonymous online.
The primary challenge of using the deep web arises from the fact that standard search engines do not index it in the same way they do the surface web, making it far more difficult to navigate. Furthermore, this means that relationships and considerable expertise are essential in order to access all the data sources across the deep web. The deep web is often conflated with the dark web in public discourse, but they are not the same. Web content in the dark web is de facto ‘invisible’ to search engines because they are unable to crawl it. Where this differs from the deep web is that much of the deep web is not intentionally hidden from public access, whereas dark web content is deliberately obscured.
Understanding the Deep Web and Dark Web
They want to help corporate powers find and use the deep Web in novel and valuable ways. Data in the Deep Web is hard for search engines to see, but unseen doesn’t equal unimportant. As you can see just from our newspaper example, there’s immense value in the information tucked away in the deep Web. All of those challenges, and a whole lot of others, make data much harder for search engines to find and index. Keep reading to see more about what separates the surface and deep Web.
The terms deep web and dark web are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different parts of the internet. Understanding the distinction between these two entities is crucial for anyone navigating the online landscape.
What is the Deep Web?
The simple answer here is no, it is not illegal to access the deep web. Every time you access your bank account, stream tv on your account, enter a database. The threat comes when you access illegal sites or engage in illegal transactions. This includes things such as purchasing unlicensed weapons, child pornography, or worse. In essence, the illegal areas of the deep web belong to the dark web.
The surface web is the part of the Internet that most people easily see and access. The deep web is the part of the Internet that is hidden from the public, either through obscurity or authentication. Contents of the deep web cannot be indexed by conventional search engines like Google or Yahoo! Search. Finally, the dark web is a meager part of the deep web that can only be accessed using special tools like Tor. As such, most of the attention is placed on online marketplaces for drugs, exchanges for stolen data, and other illegal activities when people think of the dark web.
The deep web encompasses all parts of the internet that are not indexed by traditional search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. This includes:
Some of them do it out of genuine depravity while others do it simply to cement the Dark Web’s hellish, boogeyman reputation of a Wretched Hive and add fuel to its fearmongering fire. Hackers can and will acquire your IP address and dox you if you aren’t taking proper security measures, and just like the surface web, you should be mindful of the websites you visit in case of malware. DuckDuckGo can be used to view dark web sites because it also shows .onion links. Thus, services like Google won’t bring you anywhere on the dark web, whereas DuckDuckGo will allow you to visit dark websites.
- Databases: Academic, medical, and governmental databases that require login credentials.
- Private networks: Intranet sites that are accessible only to employees of particular organizations.
- Subscription content: Sites that charge fees for premium content, such as online journals and streaming services.
- Dynamic web pages: Pages that are generated in real-time, making them difficult for search engines to index.
The deep web is estimated to be significantly larger than the traditional web, containing a vast amount of information that remains unseen by the average user.
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a small portion of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. To access the dark web, users typically employ specific software, the most notable being Tor (The Onion Router).
Characteristics of the dark web include:
- Anonymity: Users can browse and communicate anonymously, making it attractive to various individuals and groups.
- Illicit activities: It is often associated with illegal activities such as the sale of drugs, weapons, and stolen data.
- Forums and marketplaces: Various platforms exist where users can discuss and trade in a range of goods and services, both legal and illegal.
- Political activism: Some use the dark web to communicate safely in oppressive regimes where free speech is restricted.
Key Differences Between the Deep Web and Dark Web
- Access: The deep web can be accessed with standard web browsers, while the dark web requires special software.
- Content type: The deep web consists primarily of benign, lawful content, whereas the dark web can feature illegal and dangerous content.
- Anonymity: Users on the dark web often seek anonymity, while the deep web typically does not prioritize it.
FAQs About the Deep Web and Dark Web
1. Is the deep web illegal?
No, the deep web itself is not illegal. It simply contains information and resources that are not indexed by search engines.
2. Can anyone access the dark web?
Yes, anyone can access the dark web with the right tools (like Tor), but users should be cautious due to the potential legal and security risks involved.
3. What are the risks associated with the dark web?
Using the dark web can expose individuals to illegal activities, scams, malware, and potential law enforcement scrutiny.
- Although fee-for-service sites, such as Netflix, are visible on the web, most of their content is not.
- There are numerous directories that host .onion links and websites, but you should always exercise caution.
- There’s always serious risk of dark web files being infected with malware.
4. Are there legitimate uses for the dark web?
Yes, the dark web can provide a secure way for journalists, activists, and whistleblowers to communicate in unsafe environments.
Conclusion
In summary, while the deep web and dark web are interconnected, they serve distinct purposes and have different implications. The deep web is a vast resource for those requiring specific information, while the dark web presents both opportunities and risks that come with anonymity and illicit activities. Understanding these concepts is vital for responsible internet use.
