These pages are not indexed by search engines and are protected behind security walls, authentication forms, and passwords on the deep web. Most internet users browse content online using the surface web, a segment of the internet where sites are indexed by popular search engines and can be easily viewed using traditional web browsers. While the surface web may represent most of what the average user sees, there are many more layers of hidden content to be found on the dark web. Using a special browser known as The Onion Router (Tor), users can explore these hidden sites and engage in both legal and illicit activities under the cover of an anonymous IP address.

Simply put, the deep web refers to online content not indexed by traditional search engines. Analysts estimate the deep web consists of as much as 99% of the total internet — between 1,000 and 2,000 times larger than the “surface web” accessible to ordinary users. And the amount of content hosted on the deep web continues to grow each year.

Exploring the Depths of the Deep Web

For instance, knowing if an organization’s data has been leaked can help security analysts change the relevant credentials and secure their systems before an attack occurs. This illegally-obtained data can allow malicious actors to gain access reddit darknet markets to confidential data, use stolen credit card numbers, and even bring down the entire remote infrastructure of an enterprise. Intranets, or internal networks used by companies and academic institutions, cannot be accessed by the public.

The deep web is a term used to describe the parts of the internet that are not indexed by search engines like Google. It’s often confused with the “dark web,” which is a small subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access. But the deep web is much larger and more diverse than the dark web, and it’s estimated that it makes up 90% of the internet.

How To Access The Dark Web

What’s on the Deep Web?

The how to make a darknet market is home to a wide range of content, including academic databases, government resources, and corporate intranets. It’s also where you’ll find the “dark web,” which is often associated with illegal activities like drug trafficking and hacking. However, the vast majority of the deep web is perfectly legal and contains valuable information that is not available on the surface web.

Most malware infections can be caught by your endpoint security programs. For government critics and other outspoken advocates, they may fear backlash if their real identities were discovered. For those who have endured harm at the hands of others, they may not want their attackers to discover their conversations about the event. If an activity is deemed illegal by the governing bodies you fall under, then it would be illegal. However, you can still take illegal actions within Tor that could incriminate you regardless of the browser’s legality. You could easily use Tor in an attempt to pirate copyrighted content from the , share illegal pornography, or engage in cyber terrorism.

Academic Research

It’s a dangerous area of the internet, so access it at your own risk. The dark web is not illegal, and it’s not illegal to be on the dark web. After all, it’s only meant to provide anonymity, which isn’t illegal in most regions. Freenet’s release to the public in 2000 helped activists to bring attention to the need for a way to stay anonymous online. It was followed by the Tor network, created by the US intelligence community to communicate in secret. Released to the public in 2004, Tor later became a browser offering easier access to the dark web.

Accessing The Deep Web And The Dark Web: The Risks

That’s why family identity theft protection and financial fraud protection are key security layers needed to keep your life safe and secure. If it’s legal for them to sell your data in plain sight, imagine what cybercriminals are doing on the Dark Web with stolen personal information and their complete disregard for laws or regulations. In addition to the possibility of making big money on these Dark Web marketplaces, people seek the Dark Web for other reasons as well. This part of the internet also hosts vast amounts of child pornography, with some websites reaching tens or hundreds of thousands of users.

One of the largest and most valuable parts of the deep web links is made up of academic databases and libraries. These resources contain millions of articles, studies, and papers that are not available on the surface web. This makes the deep web an invaluable tool for researchers, students, and anyone looking to access high-quality information on a wide range of topics.

Smart Organizations Leverage The Dark Web To Fortify Security

Government Resources

• Remember, the Dark Web can also be a space for people to share information and ideas without fear of censorship or retaliation.
• The term dark web refers to encrypted online content that is not indexed by conventional search engines.
• The fact is, an everyday internet user like yourself likely won’t have any contact with this level of the internet.

Many government agencies also have a presence on the deep web. This includes databases of public records, research reports, and other resources that are not easily accessible on the surface web. By accessing these resources on the deep web, citizens can get a more complete picture of what their government is doing and how it’s spending taxpayer dollars.

Corporate Intranets

Many companies also have their own intranets on the deep web. These are private networks that are only accessible to employees. They often contain sensitive information like company financials, employee records, and proprietary research. By accessing these intranets on the deep web, employees can get the information they need to do their jobs more effectively.

How to Access the Deep Web

Accessing the deep web is relatively easy, but it does require some specialized knowledge and tools. Here are the basic steps:

1. First, you’ll need to install the Tor browser. This is a special browser that allows you to access the deep web anonymously.
2. Next, you’ll need to find deep web sites, also known as “onion sites.” These sites have a .onion extension and can only be accessed through the Tor browser.
3. Once you’ve found an onion site, you can browse its content just like you would on any other website.

It’s important to note that while the deep web is largely legal, there are still some risks associated with accessing it. Some onion sites may contain malware or other malicious software. It’s important to exercise caution and use a reputable antivirus program when accessing the deep web.

Conclusion

The deep web is a vast and diverse part of the internet that is often overlooked by the general public. While it does contain some illegal and dangerous content, the vast majority of it is perfectly legal and contains valuable information that is not available on the surface web. By understanding what the deep web is and how to access it, you can unlock a wealth of knowledge and resources that can help you in your personal and professional life.