The dark web—doesn’t that sound dubious? It makes one think of a lawless underworld that only criminals and hackers dare enter. Though a little more ordinary, the reality is still quite hazardous.
Accessing the dark web necessitates specialist software, unlike the clear web, which is accessible to anybody with an internet connection. This is due to the dark web’s inherent encryption, which makes it especially helpful for illegal activity. You won’t hear about many of the dark web’s advantageous applications, though.
Take a brief tour of the dark web to discover exactly what occurs there.
Defining dark web
There is a hidden section of the internet known as the dark web. Google or Bing won’t be able to help you find it. It’s simpler if you consider it to be a different kind of the internet. Although there are differing definitions, most people concur that standard search engine indexing does not provide access to the dark web.
While some claim that the term “dark web” refers exclusively to content housed on the Tor network, others define it as any internet service that requires anonymising software to access. Either way, software-enforced anonymity is a recurring motif in all definitions of the dark web.
Search engine-indexed websites and services that are available through common web browsers make up the clear web, sometimes referred to as the surface web. It encompasses everything from social networking and news websites to e-commerce and streaming services. Because many governments control and keep an eye on the transparent web, it can be challenging for those offering illicit goods and services to do business there.
The deep web, which includes all internet content not indexed by search engines, comes next. There are scholarly materials, private databases, and other non-public data on the deep web. Essentially, to access anything on the deep web, you have to be aware of it beforehand.
One part of the deep web that is challenging to control is the black web. On the dark web, several areas are made expressly to provide anonymity and can only be accessed with specialised software like Tor.
Because of its emphasis on privacy, the dark web serves as a shelter for both legal and illegal activity. On the one hand, it gives journalists, activists, and whistleblowers a safe space to share material that is secret and communicate. However, because of its anonymity, it attracts criminal activity including cybercrime, illegal arms sales, and drug trafficking.
Access to dark web
Every Tor node on the network is a user, making Tor a decentralised network. For Tor to function, your internet traffic must first pass through several user nodes located all over the world before arriving at an exit node. The name “Onion Router” comes from the fact that each relay, like peeling an onion, decrypts a layer of encryption to reveal the next destination.
It is quite difficult for someone to link your activity to you because this method effectively hides your IP address. There is another use for Tor routing, even though most users use it to route their traffic to the clear net.
Because onion routing provides anonymity, web servers can be hosted inside the Tor network, guaranteeing that no one accessing or hosting service inside the network can link a real IP address to any traffic passing through it. It is not feasible to monitor the traffic being sent to services on the Tor network due to the use of peer-to-peer encapsulation and encryption.
Thus, you must download and install the Tor Browser to browse the black web. You will then need to know the website address that you want to visit. These websites are inaccessible through standard browsers, but you can use Google to look for links to them. Proceed with caution, as link directories may list unlawful websites.
A VPN is an additional layer of protection when used in conjunction with Tor, even if Tor offers some anonymity. You can access the Tor network without any disruption by utilising a VPN to get around restrictions placed on Tor traffic by certain internet service providers (ISPs).
Rational behind dark web’s popularity
The reputation that the dark web has for supporting illegal conduct is well-earned. Although there are a few websites that promote narcotics, stolen data, or firearms over the open internet, they are not very common. Except for extremely focused Interpol takedown efforts, criminals can operate virtually unhindered on the dark web due to the anonymity it provides, shielding them from government retaliation.
That being said, not every user of the dark web is a criminal.
Especially in nations with repressive regimes, journalists and activists frequently utilise the dark web to safely interact with sources and get around censorship. Dissidents and whistleblowers can communicate material on the dark web safely and without fear of retaliation. Always-on encryption protects their identities while allowing them to organise, communicate, and report injustices.
Difference between deep and dark web
Despite their frequent interchangeability, the words “deep web” and “black web” really refer to different subsets of the same information. The deep web includes everything on the internet that conventional search engines don’t index. This means that you can access the deep web without the need for additional software; all you need to do is log in to the intranet of your place of employment or education.
Comprising most of the internet, the deep web is enormous. It’s important to remember that the deep web is not always evil. The majority of its information is legitimate and useful for daily tasks including personal account management, accessing scholarly research, and internet banking.
Because of this, the dark web is only a small portion of the entire internet that you are unable to uncover while using a search engine. Although it’s easy to mix the two up because they both refer to areas of the internet that aren’t normally accessible, in actuality, they indicate very different things. It doesn’t help that they both sound alike.
Safety quotient of dark web
The dark web is a hub for illicit behaviour, even though not all of its users are criminals. You have to use extreme caution when utilising it. Your anonymity may not guarantee that you won’t encounter other users on the dark web, particularly if you provide personal information such as your location, bank account information, or true name.
That being said, there is far more oversight of the dark web than you might think. Intelligence services frequently breach weapons and drug trafficking websites to employ honeypots. The agency in question tries to gather as much information as it can about the users of these marketplaces while they are still open, in anticipation of potential arrests. Interacting with these markets may put you at risk of scams and legal issues. Don’t think about it; it isn’t worth it.
Malicious software and unstoppable scams abound on the dark web as well. Malware is present everywhere because of the decentralised structure of the dark web, which makes it nearly impossible to contact a website host to report malware distribution. Installing malware that can steal your personal information, lock you out of your data, or track your actions can happen when you download the incorrect file from the dark web.
To lessen the security concerns associated with browsing the dark web, use a VPN in conjunction with Tor. A notification will appear on your screen if you attempt to download a file that is known to contain a virus if you are using a VPN that has automated virus screening and traffic analysis. If you are unsure about the Tor network, using a VPN will help you remain anonymous and conceal from your ISP that you are using Tor.
This is especially helpful if you are browsing from a nation where Tor traffic might identify you as a possible source of political dissident content or leaks.