Webpages outside this list (part of the Elusive Web) would remain undetected. Consider the concept of cyberspace as an iceberg floating in the arctic sea, where our usual interactions occur on the visible apex. Beneath this observable section, however, lies a labyrinth of clandestine web pages and online resources – the uncharted territories of the cyber sphere often referred to as the Deep and Dark Internet. The Surface Web, the portion we habitually surf, could be compared to the sea’s surface – overtly visible and traversable.
The internet is a vast and complex network of interconnected computers and servers, but did you know that there’s a whole other side to it that’s hidden from plain sight? This hidden part of the internet is known as the “deep web,” and it’s estimated to be 500 times larger than the surface web that we all use every day.
What is the Deep Web?
How Big Is The Dark Web?: How Much Of The Internet Is The Dark Web?
The deep web is the portion of the internet that is not indexed by search engines like Google or Bing. This means that you can’t simply type in a search term and expect to find results from the deep web. Instead, you need specialized software and tools to access this hidden part of the internet.
The deep web is often confused with the “dark web,” which is a small subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and requires special software like Tor to access. The dark web is notorious for its use in illegal activities, but the deep web is much larger and contains a wide variety of content, including academic databases, corporate intranets, and government networks.
Why is the Deep Web Hidden?
The deep web is hidden from search engines for a variety of reasons. Some websites may not want to be indexed for privacy reasons, while others may contain sensitive information that is only intended for certain users. Additionally, some websites may be hidden because they are no longer active or have been abandoned.
How To Know If Your Personal Information Is On The Dark Web
Using threat intelligence platforms to analyze the threat data gathered from the dark web also enables organizations to defend themselves against attacks more effectively. Stolen data often ends up on the dark web for sale, giving cybercriminals the incentive to target organizations with sensitive customer data (such as financial institutions). Payment for these services is generally made using difficult-to-trace digital currency, such as Bitcoin. Operating Tor is largely similar to operating a web browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.
How to Access the Deep Web
Accessing the deep web requires specialized software and tools. One of the most popular ways to access the deep web is through the Tor network, which is a free and open-source software that allows users to browse the internet anonymously. When you use Tor, your internet traffic is routed through a series of volunteer-run servers, which makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
To access the deep web using Tor, you’ll need to download and install the software on your computer. Once you’ve done that, you can use the Tor browser to access deep web websites, which typically have a .onion domain name.
Looking For A VPN?
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. Dark Web is where you can operate without being tracked, maintaining total anonymity. Researchers from Recorded Future estimated that while there are more than 55,000 existing onion domains, only 8,400 (or roughly 15%) of these sites were active. This means that the total network of live dark web sites is only about 0.005% of the size of the surface web.
Is the Deep Web Safe?
Accessing the deep web can be risky, as it’s home to a wide variety of content, including some that is illegal or otherwise inappropriate. Additionally, because the deep web is not indexed by search engines, it can be difficult to verify the legitimacy of websites and their content.
That being said, as long as you take precautions and use common sense, accessing the deep web can be a safe and rewarding experience. Here are some tips to help you stay safe on the deep web:
- Use a reputable VPN service to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your identity.
- Only visit websites that have a good reputation and are known to be safe.
- Avoid downloading files or clicking on links from unknown sources.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts.
- Keep your software and operating system up to date to protect against vulnerabilities.
Most of the digital content in the world is not accessible via web search engines. Articles about illegal drugs and weapons obviously draw more readers than those detailing the technical challenges of harvesting data from the deep Web. It’s worth remembering that there’s a whole lot more to the deep Web than the obvious criminal element. As engineers find better, faster ways to catalog the Web’s stores of data, the Internet as a whole could transform our society in amazing ways.
People often use the dark web to keep their online activity anonymous. And this increased protection is what can motivate cybercriminals to use the platform for illegal activity. You need to use a dark web browser — such as the Tor browser — to search and access the dark web. Dark web browsers are specially designed to connect to websites on the Tor network, where most dark web sites are hosted. Though you can search dark web indexes with some clearnet browsers, you won’t be able to access the sites themselves. Not Evil has more than 32 million websites and addresses indexed from Tor servers, as well as more than 14 million onion links.
What is a deep search on Google?
As he used it, the deep web means any site or page that isn't indexed by a standard search engine, such as Google, Bing, or even DuckDuckGo (which is a clearnet search engine that doesn't track you).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a regular web browser to access the deep web?
No, you need specialized software like Tor to access the deep web.
Is the deep web illegal?
- We do not recommend accessing the dark web unless absolutely necessary.
- There are numerous directories that host .onion links and websites, but you should always exercise caution.
- The dark web serves as a space where activism against ruthless regimes and corporate or political whistleblowing thrive.
- The websites mentioned above are a good starting point for your first dark web experience.
- It could, however, be illegal to misuse or steal information found on deep websites.
No, the deep web itself is not illegal. However, some activities that take place on the deep web may be illegal.
Can I get in trouble for accessing the deep web?
What to avoid on Tor?
- Avoid sharing your personal data. Once you enter your Facebook, Google, or any other account, you are not anonymous anymore.
- Turn on the safest mode.
- Visit only HTTPS websites.
- Don't click on suspicious links.
- Update your antivirus software.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN).
Accessing the deep web is not illegal, but some activities that take place on the deep web may be illegal. It’s important to use common sense and avoid engaging in any illegal activities.
What kind of content can I find on the deep web?
The deep web contains a wide variety of content, including academic databases, corporate intranets, and government networks. However, it’s also home to some illegal and inappropriate content, so it’s important to be cautious when browsing the deep web.
Can the deep web be searched?
Although the deep web's information isn't indexed by regular search engines, it can often still be accessed. Accessing content on the deep web is relatively safe, and most internet users do it all the time.
