Deep Web vs Dark Web: What’s the Difference?

The internet is a vast and mysterious place, with many layers that most people don’t even know exist. Two of these layers are the deep web and the dark web, which are often used interchangeably but are actually quite different. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between the deep web and the dark web, and what makes each one unique.

What is the Deep Web?

The deep web is the part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines like Google or Bing. This means that you can’t find it by simply searching for it, and you need special software or tools to access it. The deep web is estimated to be 500 times larger than the surface web, and it contains a wealth of information that is not available to the general public.

The deep web includes things like academic databases, corporate intranets, and government databases. It’s a place where people can access information that is not intended for the general public, and where sensitive data is often stored. While the deep web is not inherently dangerous, it’s important to be cautious when accessing it, as there are parts of the deep web that are used for illegal activities.

Legal Uses Of The Dark Web

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a small part of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access. The most common way to access the dark web is through the Tor network, which allows users to browse the internet anonymously. The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and child pornography.

While the dark web is often used for illegal activities, it’s important to note that not all of the dark web is used for nefarious purposes. There are also parts of the dark web that are used for legitimate reasons, such as whistleblowing and political activism. However, due to the anonymity of the dark web, it can be a dangerous place for the unwary.

Any webmaster can place a script on their website (called the robots.txt) to instruct web crawlers to not crawl certain URLs. Also, as more people access the dark web,  the more of a talking point it becomes. As it becomes a popular topic, the interest rises, especially for children. The EI-ISAC Cybersecurity Spotlight is a practical explanation of a common cybersecurity concept, event, or practice and its application to Elections Infrastructure security. It is intended to provide EI-ISAC members with a working understanding of common technical topics in the cybersecurity industry.

Deep Web vs Dark Web: Key Differences

Stolen data often ends up on the dark web for sale, giving cybercriminals the incentive to target organizations with sensitive customer data (such as financial institutions). It is worth noting that some pages on the deep web contain valuable personal data to cybercriminals. Securing this data prevents it from being compromised and possibly showing up for sale on the dark web.

The Dark Web’s Risk To Your Business

• Access: The deep web requires special software or tools to access, while the dark web requires the Tor network.
• Size: The deep web is much larger than the dark web, with an estimated size of 500 times the surface web.
• Content: The deep web contains a wealth of information that is not available to the general public, while the dark web is often associated with illegal activities.
• Anonymity: Both the deep web and the dark web offer a degree of anonymity, but the dark web is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access.

Therefore, navigating the dark web comes with inherent risks, and caution should be exercised at all times. Tor may be the most well-known method for accessing dark web sites, but there is another decentralised anonymizing initiative called the Invisible Internet Project (I2P) that uses many of the same strategies. I2P is essentially its own internet, so its users may do things like blog and chat without revealing their true identities. Some can even be accessed via a typical browser section… others are Wiki-style directories that are assembled by users.

FAQs

Is the deep web illegal?

No, the deep web is not inherently illegal. It contains a wealth of information that is not available to the general public, such as academic databases, corporate intranets, and government databases.

On certain dark web sites and pages, people can purchase guns and drugs, or hire hitmen and prostitutes. Though the name implies it exists in some underground virtual catacombs completely hidden from view, the deep web is actually something you probably access every day. The term refers to parts of the Internet you have to log in to view; the pages that need passwords, or payments, to be accessed. Therefore, as Daily Dot points out, you’re on the deep web every time you log in to social media, or your email. You’re also on it when you look at your bank account online, or when you have full access to an article because you have a subscription. Even though the surface web is considered to be a much safer place for users to explore and use the internet, the dark web is actually legal to access but indulging in illegal activities is prosecuted.

Can I access the deep web on my phone?

Surface Web And Dark Web: Exploring Layers Of Web

Yes, you can access the deep web on your phone using special software or tools. However, it’s important to be cautious when accessing the deep web, as there are parts of it that are used for illegal activities.

Is the dark web only used for illegal activities?

No, the dark web is not only used for illegal activities. While it is often associated with illegal activities, there are also parts of the dark web that are used for legitimate reasons, such as whistleblowing and political activism.

Can I get in trouble for accessing the dark web?

• Beyond the layer of our routine digital interaction, awaits an extensive, unexplored dominion known as the Unseen Web and the Shadow Web.
• This is why the security of the internet, as well as organizations, is important.
• Early on, the public learned of HopSkipDrive’s event, which impacted 155k student guardians.
• These are rather common examples but, there are several things that malicious actors could be doing with your data.

Yes, accessing the dark web can be risky, as it is often associated with illegal activities. It’s important to be cautious when accessing the dark web, and to make sure that you are not engaging in any illegal activities yourself.

How do I access the deep web?

The deep web requires special software or tools to access. Some common ways to access the deep web include using a VPN, Tor browser, or I2P.

Furthermore, engaging in illegal activities on the dark web, such as buying or selling drugs or hacking tools, is against the law in most jurisdictions. The Deep Web is anything on the Internet that users can’t find or access through traditional means such as popular search engines or major web browsers. Content on the Deep Web is not readily available because it’s not fully indexed by search engines or because it’s password-protected.

How do I access the dark web?

The dark web can be accessed using the Tor network. You will need to download and install the Tor browser, which will allow you to browse the internet anonymously.