The internet opened the door to a realm of possibilities that changed the business landscape and our personal lives permanently.
No longer restricted to dial-up, many of us now consider access to a stable internet connection as a critical aspect of our daily lives — and a right. For example, we pay our bills online, check our bank statements, communicate via email, and maintain a presence on social media.
In addition, many of us rely on the web for work and entertainment, and seeking out information through search engines is customary.
However, it isn’t widely known that today’s most popular search engines — including Google, Bing, Baidu, and DuckDuckGo — only index a portion of the internet.
The area of the internet we access day to day is known as the clear or surface web. However, there is also the deep and dark web, and here’s everything you need to know about the differences.
The deep and dark web
What is the difference between the clear, deep, and dark web?
You could consider the clear or surface web the “top” and visible layer of the internet, easily accessible using a browser such as Safari, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. However, the terms dark and deep are sometimes used interchangeably.
The deep web is the second layer of the internet, which is not indexed by search engines. Websites and pages in the deep web might include password-protected content, private forums, and personalized resources.
As search engine crawlers do not catalog these pages, you would need to know the exact link to access a website in this area of the internet. This could include government services to access your records, health care services, members-only areas, intranets, or corporate resources.
The dark web, however, requires special software to access. You need to install a Virtual Private Network (VPN), (at the least, you should), and you need to use a privacy-central browser such as the Tor network to connect via nodes and proxy servers, which are more secure and aim to anonymize traffic requests. The Tor Browser is able to access the special domain names, with the suffix .onion, used in the dark web.
Is the dark web just for criminals?
When the dark web is mentioned online, it is usually in tandem with criminal marketplaces and arrests made by law enforcement agencies.
Drugs, weapons, and stolen IP and data are all hot businesses in the dark web, with hundreds of terabytes of information on offer. Traders cash in on stolen credit card data dumps, initial access points to vulnerable systems, credentials, and intellectual property belonging to companies comprised during cyberattacks.
According to Kela’s 2022 Threat Intelligence report (PDF), 48% of organizations have no documented dark web threat intelligence policy in place, despite the obvious danger.
However, the dark web has far more uses for organizations and individuals than what a small subset of criminals do under its umbrella.
To access a dark web address, you must use a VPN and a suitable browser (it should be Tor). The aim is to reduce your online footprint as much as possible, anonymize your traffic, and disguise your location.
There are many legitimate uses for dark web services and communication. For example, this can include tools hosted for combating censorship — critical services for individuals in countries with stringent government surveillance and control, as well as privacy-enhancing anonymous email and whistleblower drop boxes.
Some media outlets also maintain an online presence via the dark web when their surface websites are blocked, and other websites do the same when they are banned at the ISP level by countries during unrest and protests.
Yes, the dark web has an unsavory reputation. However, remaining anonymous can be invaluable to protesters, civil rights groups, journalists, lawyers, and other vulnerable groups.
What should I be wary of on the dark web?
Unless you know exactly where to go to access a legal and legitimate website, you need to be aware of some of the risks you might be taking. These include:
- Illegal marketplaces: If you stumble upon an underground marketplace, you will find all manner of items and services for sale including drugs, weaponry, counterfeit documents, stolen information, and malware. However, just because you’re in the dark web and may be using cryptocurrency for purchases, doesn’t mean you won’t be tracked down.
- Scams: As the Wild West of the web, even if you take the chance and try to buy something illegal, you could be scammed. Sellers are often not what they seem.
- Visits to extreme content: It’s not that likely, unless you are intending to find it, but if you stumble upon extreme or abusive content, you might find yourself subject to an investigation by law enforcement. It should also be noted that downloading such content is often illegal.
- Malware: In the same way as the clear web, websites and resources found here may be hiding malicious software designed to compromise your PC or mobile device. Malware can include information stealers, Trojans, Ransomware, or exploit kits. You may also be subject to phishing attempts.
Your guide to the dark web and how to safely access .onion websites | ZDNET
