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What Does the Dark Web Mean?
The dark web, also known as the DarkNet, is comprised of websites whose IP addresses are intentionally hidden. Dark web content is accessed over encrypted overlay networks that use the public Internet but require a special kind of software to act as an overlay network gateway.
The dark web is used by criminals and shoppers on the black market, as well as by law enforcement and journalists, so it has both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, the dark web allows government agencies to share classified information.
On the negative side, the dark web has become a marketplace where customers can shop for illicit goods and services and even leave reviews, just as on the public-facing Internet.
The dark web is a subset of the deep web, a term used to describe web content that is not intended to be crawled by traditional search engines. In contrast, website content that is indexed and can be accessed through traditional search engines is known as clear web content.
The dark web is infamous as the default trading place for illegal merchandise and services. It is hidden, secretive, and, for the most part, decidedly unpleasant.
What is the dark web, and how does it work? We explain it to you.
Key Takeaways
- The dark web is a hidden part of the Internet, accessed using special tools like Tor, and offers anonymity for both legal and illegal activities.
- What is inside the dark web ranges from illegal goods like drugs and stolen data to privacy-focused forums and platforms for whistleblowers.
- The dark web operates on overlay networks like Tor and I2P, which allow encrypted and anonymous communication, making it separate from the clear and deep web.
- While the dark web was originally created to protect privacy, it’s often exploited for criminal activities, including cybercrime and illegal trade.
- Caution is necessary when accessing the dark web due to the high risk of encountering scams, malware, and other dangers.
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The Internet vs. The Web
In casual conversation, we tend to use “Internet” and “web” interchangeably. When we tell someone to “go on the Internet” or “go on the web,” we mean the same thing, and it starts with firing up a browser. But in reality, the Internet and the Web are two very different constructs.
The Internet is a global network of computers, supporting various services like email and file transfers. The web is just one of those services, delivering websites.
Think of the web as buildings – shops, cinemas, libraries – while the Internet is the road connecting them. Other services like email and DNS also use the Internet infrastructure, but they don’t serve web pages.
Types of Threats on the Dark Web
The dark web is full of illegal goods – things like drugs, weapons, and fake IDs, usually bought and sold with cryptocurrency to keep things anonymous.
Another big issue is data leaks. People’s personal info – credit card numbers, passwords, even medical records – gets stolen and traded for identity theft or fraud.
Malware is also a problem. Hackers rent or sell malware that can steal data, control systems, or be used in cyberattacks.
Then there are the scams. Fake sites and marketplaces trick people into paying for stuff that doesn’t exist just to steal their money or info.
What can you find on the dark web? Lots of illegal stuff – stolen data, malware, scams – all the shady things that make up what is illegal on the dark web.
Dark Web vs. Clear Web vs. Surface Web & Deep Web
The web, as you know it, the publicly accessible set of websites that are indexed by Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other search engines, contains approximately 55 billion web pages. This is called the clear web, sometimes referred to as the “surface web.”
As for what is available on the dark web, it ranges from illegal goods and services to privacy-focused communications and forums, but accessing it requires special software, like Tor.
Here’s a table to compare the surface web (clear web), deep web, and dark web at a glance.
| Layer | Description | Access | Content type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface web (clear web) | Publicly accessible websites indexed by search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. | Freely accessible by anyone with an Internet connection. | Public websites, blogs, e-commerce sites, and more. |
| Deep web | Private, unindexed data requiring specific permissions to access, such as private databases, corporate intranets, and back-end services like Gmail and Google Drive. | Requires permissions, logins, or specific credentials to access. | Private databases, login-protected websites, corporate systems, and confidential data. |
| Dark web | A small part of the deep web focused on anonymity, requiring specific software like Tor to access. Often associated with illegal activities but also hosts legal uses. | Requires specialized software like Tor to access. | Illegal goods and services, privacy-focused forums, whistleblowing platforms. |
Overlay Networks
An overlay network is a collection of computers connected to the Internet but using their own encrypted protocols, making them inaccessible through standard Internet routes. Volunteers run special routing nodes that handle traffic between these computers.
The dark web consists of several overlay networks, each functioning independently. Access requires specific tools like Tor, I2P, or the Tails OS. Websites on these networks have unique suffixes, like .onion for Tor and .i2p for I2P, and can’t be found using regular browsers or search engines.
Tor, the largest dark web network, was developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory to ensure secure, anonymous communication. It uses “onion routing” to send encrypted traffic through around 7,000 volunteer nodes, providing strong anonymity.
Why People Use the Dark Web
It is this very anonymity, of course, that makes the dark web such an attractive proposition for criminals, leading to its association with illegal activities like drug and gun sales, stolen credit cards, ID theft, and cybercrime. Many dark web marketplaces operate like underground versions of eBay, where users can buy malware, ransomware, and stolen data.
Buyers often pay in cryptocurrency, with Bitcoin (BTC) commonly used for less sensitive transactions. For more secretive deals, cryptocurrencies like Monero are preferred for their enhanced privacy.
Fraud is common on the dark web, but some marketplaces offer ratings and escrow services to build trust. Despite its criminal uses, the dark web was originally created to ensure privacy and freedom of communication.
So, today, what the dark web is used for includes everything from criminal exchanges to anonymous whistleblowing, highlighting why the dark web was created – to protect privacy, but often exploited for illegal purposes.
Cybercrime-as-a-Service
The dark web even makes it possible to engage with criminal service providers who offer Cybercrime-as-a-Service. This new service industry for cybercriminals is one of the most impactful disruptors that has drastically altered the threat landscape for businesses of all sizes.
The dark web marketplaces are full of criminals offering to conduct ransomware, cryptojacking, and distributed denial-of-service attacks on your behalf for a fee.
Often, with the ransomware attacks, there is no money required upfront. The service provider simply takes a cut of the profits. This means anyone can harness the destructive power of these debilitating attacks, and to do so requires neither IT skills nor financial investment.
The more sophisticated cybercrime-as-a-service providers even supply a dashboard for their customers to log in to, allowing them to monitor the progress and success rate of their ransomware campaign.
How to Get on the Dark Web
To safely access the dark web, you’ll need to use specific tools designed to navigate its encrypted network.
Start by downloading the Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website. It’s a specialized browser that lets you access the Tor network so that you can reach .onion websites, which are the staple of the dark web.
Once Tor is installed, connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) before you open the browser. A VPN will mask your IP address, adding an extra layer of security and anonymity.
With Tor Browser open, you can connect to the dark web by entering the complete .onion URL of the website you wish to visit.
Unlike the Clear Web, dark web sites aren’t indexed by search engines, so you won’t find these addresses through Google or Bing. Instead, you’d typically find them via specific directories or forums within the dark web itself.
Be cautious when browsing, as the dark web hosts both legal and illegal content. Avoid clicking on ads or downloading unknown files, as what happens if you go on the dark web can include exposure to malware or scams.
Also, if you’re wondering what the dark web looks like, it’s less polished, often simple and functional, and focused on anonymity rather than aesthetics.
Legitimate Uses of the Dark Web
Most of what is on the dark web will make you want to bleach your eyes, but there are other respectable uses that this technology has been put to.
SecureDrop is an open-source whistleblower submission system for media organizations to securely accept documents from anonymous sources. It runs on the Tor network. The Associated Press, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The CBC, ProPublica, and more use this service.
Journalists in repressive regimes use Tor to alert the outside world to social injustice and human rights abuses.
Tor allows law enforcement officials to visit dubious websites and services without leaving compromising tracks. If an IP address from a government or law enforcement agency was found in the site’s logs, it would reveal the site was under surveillance.
It allows you to bypass state censorship. When Turkey blocked access to ProtonMail, the secure and encrypted email service, the only way residents in Turkey could access it was via ProtonMail’s .onion site.
Dark Web Pros and Cons
The dark web offers both benefits and serious risks. Here’s a look at the pros and cons.
- Users can stay anonymous, which is useful for whistleblowers, journalists, or those under oppressive regimes
- It allows private communication without tracking or data collection
- The dark web is often used for trading drugs, weapons, and stolen data
- Scammers, hackers, and malware are common threats, making it a risky place for users
The Bottom Line
The dark web is a real and hidden part of the Internet, accessible only through specialized tools like the Tor Browser. It offers anonymity for both legal and illegal activities, making it appealing for those seeking privacy, but also a hub for criminal activity.
What is inside the dark web ranges from illegal goods and services, like drugs and stolen data, to privacy-focused forums and whistleblower platforms. While the dark web has legitimate uses, it’s also a place where users must exercise caution due to the risks involved.
FAQs
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References
- Onion Routing (Onion-router)
- Tor Project | Anonymity Online (Torproject)
- Share and accept documents securely (Securedrop)
