Content
Understanding the Deep Web vs Dark Web
These protected pages would be considered part of the deep web because search engines don’t index them, therefore “hiding” them from most of the public. Many of the email addresses and identities of your organization are exposed on the internet and easy to find for cybercriminals. With that email attack surface, they can launch social engineering, spear phishing and ransomware attacks on your organization. KnowBe4’s Email Exposure Check Pro (EEC) identifies the at-risk users in your organization by crawling business social media information and now thousands of breach databases. For example, law enforcement agencies and journalists use the darknet to keep in touch with whistleblowers, while others use it to protect their identities from government and private surveillance. Make sure you know what information you are looking for when you log onto the encrypted website.
In the age of the internet, the terms deep web and dark web are often used interchangeably, but they refer to two distinct parts of the online world. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone interested in internet safety, data privacy, and the various layers of online content.
- This includes using advanced firewalls, secure data centers, regular security updates, and SSL encryption for data transmission.
- Beyond the illegal behaviors that need surveillance, privacy is necessary for situations where anonymity is crucial.
- This is actually the smallest part of the web, which is shocking considering Google typically finds millions of results with each search.
- Corporate data breaches are becoming alarmingly more frequent, and cyber criminals will often try to sell that data on the Dark Web.
- An early version of the Tor browser was created to combat the challenges presented by the lack of privacy during the initial days of the internet.
What is the Deep Web?
The deep web encompasses all parts of the internet that are not indexed by traditional search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. This signifies a vast majority of online content that remains hidden from conventional search queries.
Key characteristics of the deep web include:
- Private Databases: Information stored in private databases such as government records, academic databases, medical records, and commercial sites.
- Subscription-Based Services: Online journals, magazines, and other services that require a paid subscription.
- Password-Protected Sites: Websites that require login credentials to access certain types of content.
- Intranets: Internal networks within organizations that hold sensitive data.
In reality, the internet is enormous, and it has around one billion websites existing on servers around the globe. This is accomplished by wrapping every communication in multiple layers of encryption that are transported through multiple routing points. Since trust is the most valued currency on the web, it’s critical that marketing executives build their awareness of the risks as well as how to manage any public relations issues that could follow the fallout.
If your personal details can be found on web search engines, then they’re most likely available on the Dark Web, too. Despite its menacing name, the Dark Web is not illegal per se, nor is it unlawful to access it. However, the undeniable fact is that most of the activities that happen on the Dark Web are related to criminal actions.
The anonymity and encryption protocols in place make it challenging for law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend those involved in criminal activities on the dark web. Content on the deep web includes private intranets, private member sites, public and private databases, and many other types of hidden content. Most of this content is completely legal and may even be used to power applications and services we interact with on a daily basis – it just isn’t meant to be searchable by the public. All password-protected content is part of the deep web, including financial accounts, secure databases, webmail accounts, and subscription websites. While the Deep Web can be a refuge for criminals, not all websites on the deep web are used to facilitate malicious activities. There are parts of the Internet hidden from the public that are not meant for illegal activity as well.
It exists as a relatively small cluster of pages kept on an encrypted network that aren’t publicly accessible. These pages can’t be searched, and they can’t even be viewed on a normal browser—you need tools like I2P or Tor, which conceal your identity, in order to access them. The surface web and dark web, no matter which part of the internet the user accesses, nothing will stay secret or safe at all. Hackers and cybercriminals have been misusing the internet as a tool to spread and deploy cyberattacks.
Some examples include Empire Market, Dream Market and Nightmare Market. Every search engine uses bots to crawl the web and add the new content they find to the search engine’s index. It isn’t known how large the deep web is, but many experts estimate that search engines crawl and index less than 1% of all the content that can be accessed over the internet. This is done primarily by relaying encrypted traffic through a series of nodes, also known as onion routing, using TOR (or The Onion Router) browsers. This obfuscates IP addresses and other identifiers, hiding the user’s requests and communications.
It is more of a cyber-underworld where dark activities and confidential data is sold. A normal or average user cannot access the information or data present on the dark web without the Tor browser. Average users usually experience browsing on the surface web whereas, users like cybercriminals use the deep web and dark web to conduct malicious activities and cybercrimes. Let us proceed further to find out what are these different layers of the internet and how they are accessed. The Dark Web is an anonymous part of the Internet that has been encrypted online.
Our Network
Estimates suggest that the deep web is significantly larger than the surface web, with some studies claiming it constitutes about 90% of the total content available online.
What is the Dark Web?
While the deep web includes information that is simply not indexed, the dark web is a small portion of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. Users typically utilize specific software, such as Tor, to access these sites.
Key features of the dark web include:
- Anonymity: Users can browse and communicate without revealing their identities, which makes it appealing for privacy advocates and those evading censorship.
- Illegal Activities: The dark web is notorious for hosting illegal marketplaces, where drugs, weapons, and stolen data are bought and sold.
- Whistleblowing Platforms: Certain areas of the dark web provide safe spaces for whistleblowers and activists to communicate and share information without fear of reprisal.
- Censorship Circumvention: Many individuals in oppressive regimes use the dark web to access uncensored information and communicate safely.
Deep Web vs Dark Web: Key Differences
To further clarify the distinctions, here are some key points comparing the deep web and the dark web:
| Aspect | Deep Web | Dark Web |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Accessible via standard browsers; requires no special software. | Requires specific software, like Tor, for access. |
| Content | Primarily legitimate content (e.g., databases, private sites). | Often contains illegal or illicit content. |
| Anonymity | Does not typically focus on anonymity. | Anonymity is a defining feature. |
| Size | Much larger than the surface web. | Smaller segment of the deep web. |
FAQs about Deep Web vs Dark Web
1. Can I explore the deep web safely?
Yes, much of the deep web can be explored safely as it comprises legitimate content. However, being cautious with personal information is always advised.
2. Is the dark web illegal?
Accessing the dark web is not illegal, but many activities conducted there can be, such as purchasing illicit items or engaging in criminal forums.
3. How can I access the dark web?
To access the dark web, one typically needs to download Tor or other privacy-focused browsers designed to access onion sites.
4. Does using the dark web guarantee anonymity?
While the dark web offers enhanced anonymity, it is not foolproof. Users should still take precautions to protect their identity.
Conclusion
The differences between the deep web vs dark web are significant. Understanding what each entails can help you navigate the internet more safely and responsibly, whether you’re seeking legitimate information in the deep web or exploring the more obscure and often perilous environments of the dark web.
