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Hidden Answers
Understanding Deep Web Sites
They are not accessible through your mainstream browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. Keybase is an exciting identity service that aims to make it easy for you to link the presence of your online identities together in a cryptographic way. You can upload your PGP key or have the site create one for you, and use it to cryptographically link your Twitter profile, Github account, or Bitcoin address together. One of the most popular ways to get around the dark web is not to use a search engine at all. Unlike Ahmia and Haystak, however, DuckDuckGo doesn’t search .onion sites. Use it to search the normal internet from the privacy of your Tor Browser.
TORNADO automatically and anonymously combs through the entire dark web every 30 days based on specific keywords that help identify information that may pose potential harm. Exploiting open source intelligence provides situational awareness. Just like when navigating the surface web, the dark web has similar risks that should be taken into account when protecting your personal information.
- We did not find any official record of the actual “start date”, but we believe that the Dark Web that we know today began with the release of Free net in 2000 .
- The rise of cryptocurrencies increased the popularity of the dark web, especially for cybercriminals.
- You can install the TOR browser on your system by using a virtual private network.
- Before clicking any links, carefully read the description because they may also lead to websites with illegal content, such whistleblower websites or illegal marketplaces.
- More information about the Tor Project can be found at Tor Metrics.
The term deep web sites refers to the vast portion of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines like Google or Bing. Unlike the surface web, which is easily accessible, the deep web contains information that requires specific credentials or permissions to access.
What Constitutes Deep Web Sites?
Fee-for-service sites are another major source of deep web content. Although fee-for-service sites, such as Netflix, are visible on the web, most of their content is not. Customers must pay a fee, create a user id, and set up a password to get most of the material offered by these sites. Only those willing and able to pay the fees for these sites can get access to their content.
Regardless, it remains a reliable option for those seeking privacy and security in their online explorations. Subscription-based applications can be accessed only once the user has paid for them. The paywall prevents search engine crawlers from accessing this content. Examples include software as a service (SaaS) solutions, paid news websites, and streaming services. The dark web is the hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires specific software to access.
With all the discussions related to hacking and exploit trading on the dark web, it is a great place to see where yet-unknown vulnerabilities are being discussed. By monitoring the dark web, users might gain the advantage of knowing where exploits are before they become widespread threats. The deep web, including the dark web, will never come to users. Spam and phishing attacks may originate from a dark web marketplace, but a user has to download something infected from that marketplace to release malware. An .onion site is a dark web site that uses the .onion domain instead of regular domains like “.net,” “.com,” or “.gov.” Such sites can only be accessed using the Tor browser.
Deep web sites include a variety of content types, such as:
- Database-driven sites that require login credentials.
- Online banking platforms.
- Private corporate intranets.
- Academic databases and library catalogs.
- Medical records systems.
- Government resources and portals.
Aside from the search engines described above, there are several other relevant deep web search engines for discovering the invisible web. Bottom line, you may stumble upon some golden nuggets over here that Google or other Clearnet search engines might be devoid of. They also claim to be the Darknet’s largest search engine, although that’s something I haven’t personally verified so that I wouldn’t vouch for. SecureDrop is an open-source whistleblower submission system news organizations can install to safely and anonymously receive documents and tips from sources. It is used at over 50 news organizations worldwide, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, ProPublica, The New Yorker, and The Intercept.
This has made it the subject of cyberattacks by both the FBI and the hacker group Anonymous in the past. There’s also plenty of practical value for some organizations. Law enforcement agencies keep an ear to the ground on the dark web looking for stolen data from recent security breaches that might lead to a trail to the perpetrators.
The Importance of Deep Web Sites
While many may think the deep web sites are synonymous with illegal activities, this is a misconception. The deep web serves various legitimate purposes:
- Privacy: Users can maintain a level of anonymity while accessing sensitive information.
- Security: Businesses can protect proprietary information from competitors and unauthorized access.
- Ease of Access: Certain resources, like academic journals, can be accessed directly through university affiliations.
The Deep Web vs. The Dark Web
It is crucial to differentiate between the deep web sites and the dark web. The dark web is a small part of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is often associated with illegal activities. The majority of the deep web contains benign content.
Examples of Deep Web Sites
Some popular examples of deep web sites include:
- ProQuest: A comprehensive database for academic literature.
- LexisNexis: A powerful research tool for legal professionals.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) portals: Systems to access patient health records securely.
- Banking websites: Platforms that allow for secure online financial transactions.
How to Access Deep Web Sites
To thoroughly navigate deep web sites, consider the following:
- Ensure you have the required login credentials for specific sites.
- Utilize academic or institutional access for databases.
- For government resources, familiarize yourself with the specific portal requirements.
- Employ VPNs for enhanced security when accessing sensitive information.
FAQs about Deep Web Sites
What percentage of the internet is considered deep web?
The deep web is estimated to be over 90% of the total internet, dwarfing the surface web in size.
Are all deep web sites illegal?
No, the vast majority of deep web sites are legal and host legitimate content.
Can I access deep web sites without special software?
Most deep web sites can be accessed using standard browsers if you have the correct credentials. However, some areas, particularly the dark web, require special software like Tor.
The exploration of deep web sites can offer valuable insights and resources that are not readily available on the surface web, making it a crucial area for various types of research and information gathering.
