What is the 'Darkweb'?
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet which is inaccessible through standard search engines. To access it, you need an anonymizing browser—most commonly a Tor browser, which hides your web traffic by routing it through a series of decentralized nodes.
Is it illegal?
While using the dark web itself isn't illegal, it's notorious as a haven for cybercriminals seeking anonymity.
Dark web marketplaces peddle illicit goods and services, including stolen financial data, personal information, drugs, weapons, and hacking tools.
Criminals even rent out ransomware through a model known as Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS).
Furthermore, the dark web facilitates anonymous communication via encrypted forums and untraceable payments using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, making it a preferred tool for those involved in criminal activities.
The Dark Web: More than just crime
The dark web isn't solely a digital underworld. It also serves legitimate purposes. Investigative journalists, activists, and whistleblowers can leverage its anonymity to protect themselves. People living under oppressive regimes can bypass censorship. Cybersecurity professionals and researchers utilize it to monitor threats. Even law enforcement agencies employ dark web tactics to track criminal operations.
For example, The New York Times operates a legitimate dark web site to provide secure access to information for users in countries with strict censorship.
Surface Web & Deep Web
You can browse the internet in various ways. The dark web, as discussed earlier, is a part of the internet where the average user typically does not venture. Due to the reasons mentioned, it is generally not recommended, except in specific circumstances.
The average user primarily navigates the 'Surface Web' and occasionally the 'Deep Web'.
Surface Web
The Surface Web is the easily accessible part of the World Wide Web that you use daily through standard web browsers. Unlike the content on the dark web, everything on the Surface Web is indexed by popular search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. Because of this indexing, the content appears in search results.
Deep Web
However, the majority of the internet consists of a vast network of websites that are not visible to the average user. These sites are part of the Deep Web, not the Surface Web. Content on the Deep Web cannot be indexed by search engines, so users must log in to access it. This is essential for certain activities, such as accessing personal e-government data, health information stored by insurance companies or healthcare institutions, online banking, social media accounts, and more. Typically, these sites require users to authenticate themselves with at least a username and password.
Dark Web: What lies beneath