The Dark Web: A Hidden Corner of the Internet

• This is how anonymity is built and data is protected in the Tor browser system.
• For example, accessing child pornography websites is illegal in many countries.
• Although the dark web is not illegal, it has become a hotspot for illegal activities due to its anonymous nature.
• For example, some websites require credentials like a login to verify a user’s identity before granting access to their online resources.

Browse Privately

Cybercriminals and other malicious actors rely heavily on the capabilities of the Dark Web in various unlawful ways. The hotspots for illegal activity on the Dark Web are marketplaces and forums where bad actors transact illegal products and services. Most people only interact with the visible or “surface web.” These are the nearly two billion public websites you can access through search engines — from Wikipedia to public sector websites and news sites. Here’s a guide that will help you learn about the dark web, the sites that populate it, and how you can visit it safely using the added protection of a VPN and antivirus software. All commonly public-facing websites accessed via traditional browsers like Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Firefox are contained here.

The internet is a vast and diverse place, full of information and resources that can be accessed by anyone with a connection. But did you know that there is a part of the internet that is hidden from view, accessible only through specialized software and with a high level of anonymity? This part of the internet is known as the dark web.

What Is The Dark Web And How To Legally Access It?

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a collection of websites that are not indexed by search engines and cannot be accessed through regular web browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. These websites are often hosted on the Tor network, which allows users to browse the internet anonymously and access websites that are not accessible through traditional means.

What Is The Dark Web And Should You Access It?

The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, such as the sale of drugs, weapons, and stolen personal information. However, it is also used by people who want to keep their online activities private, such as journalists, whistleblowers, and political activists. The dark web can also be a valuable resource for researchers, who can use it to access information that is not available through traditional sources.

The average monthly traffic received by the deep web is 50% more than surface websites. The volume of public data on the deep web is 400 to 500 times greater than that of the surface web. The terms dark web and deep web are perceived to be linked with illegal and otherwise suspicious activity; however, a vast difference exists between the two. On the internet, the deep web is not indexed by web crawlers, while the dark web is intentionally kept hidden. Another major safeguard to utilize is Two-Factor Authentication (also known as Multi-Factor Authentication) that utilizes a different medium to verify your identity, such as texting a code to your phone. For our clients, we constantly scan the Dark Web for any information related to their company domains.

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. The project soon evolved to become Freenet — a platform for free speech online. Users could discuss, share, and publish information anonymously and free of government censorship.

How to Access the Dark Web

Accessing the dark web requires the use of specialized software, such as the Tor browser. The Tor browser allows users to browse the internet anonymously by routing their internet connection through a series of servers around the world, making it difficult for anyone to track their online activity. Once you have installed the Tor browser, you can access the dark web by visiting websites with a .onion extension.

At the same time, Tor became an effective shield for the illicit sale of heavily controlled goods, such as guns and drugs. The Tor network also gave hackers, terrorists, and distributors of illegal pornography a secure method of communication. The term dark web first appeared in print in a 2009 newspaper article describing these criminal applications. With billions of indexed pages of dark websites, Haystak proves itself as a dominant player among dark web search engines.

It is important to note that accessing the dark web can be dangerous, as it is home to a wide range of illegal activities. If you do decide to access the dark web, be sure to take precautions to protect your privacy and security. This may include using a virtual private network (VPN) and being cautious about the websites you visit and the information you share.

Conclusion

The dark web is a hidden corner of the internet that is often associated with illegal activities. However, it is also used by people who want to keep their online activities private and access information that is not available through traditional sources. If you do decide to access the dark web, be sure to take precautions to protect your privacy and security.