Dark Internet

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Understanding the Dark Internet

The dark internet refers to a portion of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It encompasses websites and networks that require specific software and configurations to access. This hidden layer of the internet has garnered significant attention, primarily due to its association with illicit activities.

For instance, banking websites require users to log in before viewing their account statements. Even email services such as Gmail are part of the deep web, as search engines cannot access the data on the platform. Unlike the dark web, which majorly hosts content that is illegal or otherwise restricted in nature, the deep web hosts a wide range of material. The pages on the deep web can include paywalled websites, pay-to-access services such as Netflix, private databases, email mailboxes, and any other content that is not indexed by web search engines.

As a result, the Deep Web and the Dark Web would be much larger than the Internet we use every day. Moreover, Ahmia goes beyond being just a search engine; it offers additional features such as statistics, insights, and news related to the TOR network. This makes it an incredibly valuable tool for anyone venturing into the dark web. Notably, Ahmia stands apart from other dark web search engines due to its strict policy against “abuse material,” allegedly blocking such content from appearing in search results.

By this time, it had caught the attention of law enforcement and politicians. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, called for an investigation by federal authorities including the DEA and Department of Justice to shut the site down. Using the Tor network as the anonymous marketplace and Bitcoin as the medium of exchange, the Silk Road became a one-stop shop for just about every mind-altering substance that exists. The hidden service gained traction in 2011 and then hit the mainstream when a Gawker article about the site was published. Following his graduation, he was unsatisfied with a regular day job and his legitimate attempts at entrepreneurship continually fell through. That’s when Ulbricht conceived the Silk Road, a marketplace where people could buy and sell whatever they wanted.

• Staying safe on the dark web requires even more vigilance than the public internet.
• Data breaches happen all the time, and your login credentials and other data might be on the dark web already.
• Some of these are well-known, established threats that circulate in this nook of the web.
• These attacks often include stealing victims’ data and threatening to release it on the dark web if the ransom isn’t paid.

“The index shows how cheap it is to get data on the dark web,” says Biswas. Data is the most common commodity sold on the dark web, according to Nirmit Biswas, senior research analyst at Market Research Future. “Account credentials, credit card information, addresses and social security numbers have all been hacked. Someone might not even realize they’ve been hacked, yet their company and employee information could be sold,” Biswas says. “The actors behind an attack may not access the organization’s network directly themselves. They may pay someone else to do that because that person has bought a vulnerability on the dark web to gain the access,” he says.

The Structure of the Internet

The deep web constitutes over 90% of online content and is inaccessible via search engines. In addition, the dark web can’t be accessed through typical browsers such as Firefox or Chrome. It can only be accessed through an encrypted peer-to-peer network connection or by using an overlay network, such as the Tor browser. The browser is free to download and use, and works with all major operating systems. In addition to the Tor browser, users can further protect their identities when accessing the dark web by doing so through a virtual private network (VPN). The web that can be viewed using a standard browser is referred to as the surface web; however, much of the content is kept hidden in the deep web.

Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they actually refer to different things. Deep web content — which isn’t picked up by search engines, either — includes pages that typically require additional credentials to access. Your online banking accounts and email accounts, for instance, are examples of deep web content. The dark web is the hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires specific software to access.

Without visible links, these pages are more hidden for various reasons. Carrying on with the analogy, big search engines could be considered like fishing boats that can only “catch” websites close to the surface. Everything else, from academic journals to private databases and more illicit content, is out of reach. This deep web also includes the portion that we know as the dark web.

To appreciate the dark internet, it’s essential to understand its structure:

• Surface Web: The accessible layer of the internet, indexed by search engines.
• Deep Web: A vast segment that is not indexed, including databases, private corporate sites, and academic resources.
• Dark Web: A small part of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers.

Accessing the Dark Internet

Accessing the dark internet typically requires specific tools such as:

• Tor Browser: A popular option for users wishing to access the dark web securely.
• VPN Services: Used to enhance anonymity while browsing.
• Specialized Software: Some content may require additional applications to access specific dark web services.

Content Found on the Dark Internet

The dark internet hosts a range of content, which can be both legal and illegal. Notable categories include:

• Illegal Marketplaces: Platforms for selling drugs, weapons, and stolen data.
• Whistleblower Platforms: Areas for secure sharing of sensitive information.
• Forums and Communities: Groups discussing various topics, including cybersecurity and privacy.
• Cryptography**: Resources and discussions on encryption and privacy technologies.