The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It’s a network of websites that can only be accessed using special software, such as the Tor browser. The dark web has a reputation for being a haven for criminal activity, but it’s also used by people who want to maintain their privacy and anonymity online.
While the original aim of the dark web was to facilitate secret communication, the network’s anonymous nature also encouraged illegal activity. Helped by the launch of Bitcoin in 2009, the dark web quickly became a platform for criminals to source and deliver illegal items. In fact, it can be argued that the closure of Silk Road and subsequent arrest and conviction of Ross Ulbricht, its founder, only heightened interest in darknets and their illegal wares. The dark web hosts all kinds of illegal activities, many of which are the buying and selling of firearms, drugs, counterfeit money, fake passports, and stolen accounts.
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How to Access the Dark Web
To access the dark web, you’ll need to download and install the Tor browser. Tor (The Onion Router) is a free software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. It works by routing your internet connection through a series of volunteer-operated servers around the world, which makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
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Once you’ve installed the Tor browser, you can access the dark web by typing in a .onion URL. These URLs are only accessible through the Tor network and can’t be accessed using a regular web browser. Keep in mind that the dark web is not indexed by search engines, so you’ll need to know the specific URL of the website you want to visit.
The deep web is the first level beneath the “surface” of the visible web — and it’s significantly larger than the surface web, accounting for an estimated 96% to 99% of the entire internet. The “dark web” refers to websites that aren’t indexed by search engines like Google and Bing. This might seem strange since most people want their websites to be found through specific searches. Practices like search engine optimization (SEO) are specifically implemented to help websites perform well and rank higher in search engine results. In addition to Tor’s three layers of encryption, the browser also deletes your browsing history, erases your tracks and prevents sites from identifying and tracking you, explains Wired.
Is It Illegal To Access The Deep Web Or The Dark Web?
What to Expect on the Dark Web
The dark web can be a confusing and overwhelming place for first-time visitors. It’s important to remember that the dark web is not like the regular internet. The websites are not visually appealing, and the user interface is not user-friendly. The websites are also not searchable, so you’ll need to know the specific URL of the website you want to visit.
You’ll also find that many of the websites on the dark web are in foreign languages, and some of the content may be disturbing or illegal. It’s important to exercise caution and use common sense when browsing the dark web. If you come across something that makes you uncomfortable, it’s best to exit the website immediately.
Law enforcement officials are getting better at finding and prosecuting owners of sites that sell illicit goods and services. In the summer of 2017, a team of cyber cops from three countries successfully shut down AlphaBay, the dark web’s largest source of contraband, sending shudders throughout the network. Medical records, fee-based content, membership websites, and confidential corporate web pages are just a few examples of what makes up the deep web. Estimates place the size of the deep web at between 96% and 99% of the internet. Only a tiny portion of the internet is accessible through a standard web browser—generally known as the “clear web”. Moreover, the dark web is a small portion of the deep web that is unavailable on search engines, making it difficult to monitor.
Staying Safe on the Dark Web
The dark web can be a dangerous place, and it’s important to take steps to protect yourself. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe:
- Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) will encrypt your internet connection and help protect your privacy.
- Don’t share personal information: Avoid sharing any personal information, such as your name, address, or phone number, while browsing the dark web.
- Use a secure email provider: Consider using a secure email provider, such as ProtonMail or Tutanota, to protect your communications.
- Don’t download files: Avoid downloading files from the dark web, as they may contain malware or viruses.
For example, an unexpected drop in your credit score can be a sign of illegal activity, including identity theft. Sensitive corporate and personal data ends up on the dark web in several different ways. For example, your personal information may have been included in a data dump from a recent data breach. The name Dark Web has ominous undertones and sounds like something we should seek to avoid. Granted, criminals do gravitate towards darknet sites in order to perform unlawful activities.
It is these shady dealings that give the dark web its seedy, dangerous reputation. To your surprise, you don’t need any special tools or a darknet browser to access the deep web; you just need to know where to look. Specialized search engines, directories, paste sites, and wikis can help users locate the data they’re looking for. Although the entire dark web is part of the deep web, it isn’t true in reverse. Simply put, the deep web is any part of the Net that is not indexed by search engines. This includes websites that gate their content behind paywalls, password-protected websites and even the contents of your email.
How did my info get on the dark web?
If you're wondering “how does one's personal information get on the Dark Web?”, the answer includes data breaches, scams, and a very diverse range of cyber-attacks (phishing through email, private messages and voice calls, social media impersonation, malware infections or digital identity theft).
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself and your privacy while browsing the dark web.
Should I be worried if my information is on the dark web?
If your personal information is spotted on the dark web, it could mean someone took the information without your permission. Criminals steal personal information in a variety of ways. Some try hacking into accounts or using malware to capture passwords.
You need a special browser that’s specifically programmed to access certain parts of the Dark Web. There are several systems, but a very popular one is Tor, or “The onion router.” Using the Tor browser gives you access to all domain names ending with “.onion”, also called the onion network. Onion routing is the original technology developed in the 1990s that made the Dark Web possible. There are billions of websites on the internet that are safe and freely accessible, but it’s possible for your kids to be curious enough to search the deep or dark web. Deep web games or deep internet music might draw younger children, while drugs, weapons, and dark web images might draw the interest of older children. This includes snuff films, child pornography, hitmen for hire, hackers, and much worse.
Conclusion
- Practices like search engine optimization (SEO) are specifically implemented to help websites perform well and rank higher in search engine results.
- But remember, it’s essential to take all the necessary and important security steps before entering such sites on the dark web.
- Unless you actively seek it out, you’ll likely never have any contact with the dark web in your lifetime.
- Surface web search engines can’t access the dark web, but specialized dark web search engines can help you find what you’re looking for.
- Reports have suggested the dark web offers many illegal services, from paid assassinations to trafficking for sex and weapons.
- By design, it removes the risk of third-parties accessing files on your hard drive (like your pictures, videos, and sensitive documents).
The dark web can be a fascinating and mysterious place, but it’s important to exercise caution and use common sense when browsing. By understanding how to access the dark web and how to stay safe, you can explore this hidden part of the internet with confidence.
Is my password on the dark web?
Other Ways to Check if Your Email and Password Are on the Dark Web: Use a Reputable Dark Web Scan Tool: There are several reputable platforms available online that can scan the dark web for your data. Some examples include HaveIBeenPwned, Experian, and IdentityGuard.
