The internet consists of three parts: surface network, deep network, and dark network.
Dark Web is an area of the Internet that only certain browser programs, such as Tor or i2p, have access to. They are used by many different people to hide their online activities. The dark network’s anonymity makes it an attractive technology for illegal purposes.
While this type of business accounts for a significant proportion of content on the dark internet, the fact that Tor can bypass surveillance measures is useful in certain circumstances, even in legitimate activities such as free speech for political dissidents in authoritarian countries.
What’s the Difference Between the Dark Web and the Deep Web?
Deep Web simply stores information that nobody can easily access. This includes everything that is password-protected, from subscription services, bank accounts to medical information. This area actually makes up the majority of the web.
On the other hand, the dark web is a special place on the deep web that is linked to criminal activities and illegal markets. To access it, you need to use special browsers. The two most popular browsers are Freenet and Tor.
Who Uses the Dark Web?
The dark web is home to criminals and citizens who are equally interested in privacy. Some people feel extremely attached to their privacy and prefer to spend their free time in places where they cannot be seen, even if they only play roulette online.
Other people want to communicate beyond the reach of governments.
The anonymity the dark web offers is of great interest to those who want to protect their illegal activities from the public.
Most of what is sold in the dark network are illegal, so buying these illegal products is, of course, prohibited. Users of the dark web use it to buy illicit drugs, hire assassins, recruit unethical hackers, steal other people’s identity and bank account details, among other nefarious activities.
See Also: Future of Big Data and Data Mining in Real Life Business
Because of the existence of so many shameful sites, the dark network has gained a bad reputation.
Who Created the Dark Web?
The dark web was created by the US government to allow spies to exchange information anonymously.
American military scientists developed a technology known as Tor (The Onion Router) in the mid-1990s and made it publicly available.
At the end of 2000, cryptocurrency appeared in the form of Bitcoin making it the last piece of the puzzle needed to make the dark web thrive.
The Legitimate Side of the Dark Web
For people living in oppressive regimes, blocking large parts of the Internet or persecuting political dissent, the dark web is a lifeline that provides access to information and protection against persecution.
In more free societies, this can be an important information and communication tool that protects people against retaliation or judgment at work or in society.
Does Google Index the Dark Web?
By definition, the dark web is not available to search with engines like Google or normal browsers like Chrome or Firefox. According to Domains 4 Less, because of the way the dark web is organised, it is almost impossible to determine the type of sites that fill it. Google crawlers may never come across this page because no previously indexed page points to it.
In addition, this page may require authentication, e.g. filling out the search form and clicking Submit. If a page contains illegal content, Google may not want to display this type of content in search results which means that it’s not indexed.
Dark Web Search Engines
The dark web is not indexed and is accessible via a Tor, a search engine such as Google, which is why it is more difficult to access and find what you are looking for.
Although Google does not index sites on the dark web, there are Tor search engines specifically designed for this purpose. But even the best dark web search engines are required to keep up with the ever-changing landscape.
Is the Dark Web Safe?
The dark web is not a safe place. The two most insidious dangers of the dark web are ransomware and malware. Ransomware is a computer programme designed to block access to your computer until you pay a ransom. Malware, on the other hand, damages your computer.
These pieces of malicious software are passed through the dark web and then used to gain unauthorized access to websites. So, if you use the dark web, there is a risk of exposure to malware or ransomware that may paralyze your business and even steal your identity.
You might want to read: Importance of Information Security
Is the Dark Web Illegal?
Due to Tor’s anonymity, it is unfortunately also a popular nesting place for criminal and illegal purposes.
Although it is legal to access the dark web using a dedicated or anonymous browser, visiting many websites on the dark web is illegal.
