What Is The Dark Web? How To Access It And What You’ll Find
Understanding the Dark Web
Dark web search engines exist, but even the best are challenged to keep up with the constantly shifting landscape. The experience is reminiscent of searching the web in the late 1990s. Even one of the best search engines, called Grams, returns results that are repetitive and often irrelevant to the query. Link lists like The Hidden Wiki are another option, but even indices also return a frustrating number of timed-out connections and 404 errors. These groups develop their own sophisticated malware, sometimes combined with pre-existing tools, and distribute them through “affiliates”.
The term dark web often evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue. To comprehend what’s dark web, one must first understand the layers of the internet.
Yes, the police can still track you on the dark web if they need to, although it’s extremely hard to do so. The Tor browser you use to access the dark web can mask your identity and location. The average user won’t be able to identify you on the dark web, but the authorities can still track you down with high-level technologies. The Silk Road was perhaps one of the most well-known examples of an illegal marketplace in the darknet. It was shut down in 2013 but not before it showed the world how easy it was to buy illegal drugs, counterfeit documents, and other questionable items online.
While it’s not illegal in many places to simply get on the dark web, the dark web is used for some illegal purposes. Many things for sale on dark web marketplaces are illegal, like ransomware or other strains of malware, illicit drugs, weapons, and in some cases, even human organs. The dark web is an unregulated place with different elements that one may encounter.
Layers of the Internet
The darknet is simply an anonymous space on the web that can be abused or appreciated in turn. The Dark Web is like the hidden part of the internet, not accessible through your regular search engines or browsers. It’s intentionally kept secret and requires special software to enter. It can even be infuriating to see that information brokers’ activities aren’t even illegal because they claim to be using information that already exists in the public domain. Originally used by the United States Department of Defense to communicate anonymously, the dark web has now become a hub for users wishing to remain anonymous around the world.
To look at it in a different way, it makes up between 90% and 95% of the internet. In fact, many security researchers perform Dark Web research to keep up with the latest cybersecurity threats. The Dark Web is built on top of the Tor Network, a protocol originally designed by the U.S. government to enable anonymous communications by activists and similar parties. All traffic flowing over the Tor Network goes through multiple hops to make it more difficult to determine the source and destination of a particular request. This will route all requests through the Tor Network’s proxy servers, which helps to protect your anonymity, a good thing when browsing the Dark Web.
The internet can be divided into three main layers:
- Surface Web: This is the part of the web that is indexed by search engines like Google. It includes websites like news articles, online stores, and social media.
- Deep Web: This consists of data that is not indexed by standard search engines. It includes databases, private corporate websites, and medical records.
- Dark Web: This is a small portion of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers.
Email us at [email protected] for inquiries related to contributed articles, link building and other web content needs. “When a responsible security pro identifies a vulnerability, they report it to a valid source, they fix it, then they announce it to the world,” Pezet said. “When an unethical hacker discovers a vulnerability, they don’t disclose it. Act under the assumption that you have already been compromised,” he said. One cyber threat to individuals involves the selling of information obtained in a breach. The dark web isn’t all illicit deals and seedy undertakings; it’s used for an array of purposes.
Accessing the Dark Web
Accessing the dark web requires special software. One of the most common tools is Tor (The Onion Router), which allows users to browse anonymously.
Here’s how it works:
- Download and install the Tor Browser.
- Connect to the Tor network, which encrypts your traffic.
- Access .onion websites that exist only within the Tor network.
What’s Available on the Dark Web
- Any website that is paywalled, such as the text of news articles or educational content site that requires a subscription, is also blocked from search engine bots.
- Internet users may be inclined to access the dark web to start browsing anonymously or to satisfy their curiosity.
- This is where an employee would most likely go to reset a password for another account.
- Policing involves targeting specific activities of the private web deemed illegal or subject to internet censorship.
The dark web hosts a variety of content, both legal and illegal. Some common types of content include:
- Anonymous Forums: Places for individuals to discuss sensitive subjects without fear of being tracked.
- Illegal Marketplaces: Sites where illicit goods and services, such as drugs and weapons, are traded.
- Whistleblower Platforms: Secure ways for whistleblowers to leak information.
- Privacy-Focused Services: Services that promote anonymity and privacy.
Risks of the Dark Web
Engaging with the dark web comes with significant risks:
- Legal Consequences: Accessing illegal content can lead to prosecution.
- Scams: Many transactions on the dark web are fraudulent or deceptive.
- Malware: Downloading files can expose users to harmful software.
- Data Breach: Personal information may be compromised if proper precautions aren’t taken.
FAQs About the Dark Web
1. Is the dark web illegal?
No, while the dark web hosts illegal activities, it is not inherently illegal. Many individuals use it for legitimate purposes, such as privacy protection.
2. Do I need special equipment to access the dark web?
No special equipment is needed, but a Tor browser is necessary for safe access.
3. Can I be tracked on the dark web?
While the Tor network provides anonymity, users can still be tracked through other means, such as behavioral patterns or by not taking proper precautions.
4. What should I look out for while on the dark web?
Stay vigilant against scams, avoid illegal marketplaces, and ensure you have up-to-date antivirus protection.
In conclusion, understanding what’s dark web requires knowledge about its structure, access, content, and the associated risks. Always proceed with caution if one chooses to explore this hidden part of the internet.
