Basically, the sites you use daily — from your favorite news site to a local restaurant — are part of the surface web. What makes these websites part of the surface web is that they can be located via search queries and have recognizable endings like .com, .edu, .gov, or .org. You are able to find websites on the surface web because they are marked as “indexable,” meaning search engines can index and rank them.
Because the dark web is largely unregulated, never visit dark websites without first confirming their authenticity. Tor Browser is a free browser that routes your traffic through the encrypted Tor network. Download Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website, because unlicensed third-party downloads may come bundled with malware. When the Bitcoin software was released to the public in 2009, it was a significant milestone in the dark web because it gave users the chance to purchase items anonymously. There are different reasons why people protect their online identities. Tor is still available today and is one of the best browsers used to access the dark web.
Use VPN for extra protection
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Reports have suggested the dark web offers many illegal services, from paid assassinations to trafficking for sex and weapons. Illegal drug marketplaces like the Silk Road have been hijacked for police surveillance in the past. By utilizing custom software to infiltrate and analyze activity, this has allowed law officials to discover user identities of patrons and bystanders alike.
For Business
Medical records, fee-based content, membership websites, and confidential corporate web pages are just a few examples of what makes up the deep web. Estimates place the size of the deep web at between 96% and 99% of the internet. Only a tiny portion of the internet is accessible through a standard web browser—generally known as the “clear web”. The dark web is part of the internet that isn’t visible to search engines and requires the use of an anonymizing browser called Tor to be accessed.
The deep web is all content online that isn’t part of the surface web; pages that aren’t indexed by standard search engines like Bing or Google. If you simply use Google to search for deep web content, you’ll get no results. Most of this deep web information is uninteresting and consists of data that is hidden behind a password or paywall.
Dark Web Markets
The main distinction is more about the entry and exit points you use to get into the Tor network. If you plan on visiting .onion sites, you still need a Tor exit point and not a VPN at the other end of your connection, for example. However, it is essential to note that this does not provide any extra security for your device or information. Yes, it’s possible that your phone number is on the dark web. The best way to find out is to check the “Have I Been Pwned” website. This website allows you to type in your email address or phone number and see if it’s been compromised in any data breaches.
- Unlike I2P and Tor, you don’t need a server to host content.
- As above, make sure you’re only visiting .onion sites you trust and don’t share any personal information.
- Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the dark web and how to access it.
- Businesses need dark web monitoring software to gain a clear picture of their risk from credential compromise.
The dark web comprises only 3% of the traffic in the Tor network. Infect devices with malicious software to either harvest additional data, use it in subsequent attacks, or extort victims for money — which is what ransomware does. The computing resources malicious hackers need to carry out their attacks. This high barrier entry to the Dark Web exists to protect user identities, online activities and location, and maintain their anonymity. Those who want to browse and use the Dark Web need to use specialized software, such as the Tor browser.
The dark web contains a wide variety of services and content to its users, some of which skirts or disregards legality. While the intention and purpose of users on the dark web may vary, the dark web itself is neither good nor bad. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in oureditorial policy.
