Everything You Should Know About the Dark Web
The web is divided into three sections: the surface web, deep web, and black web. The majority of the websites we visit are part of the surface web, with the deep and dark areas of the internet lying beyond.
The dark web facts are the web portion that cannot be reached without special software or a computer that has made a special connection to the Internet (such as TOR—the Onion Router, a type of proxy not visible in regular browsers). Many sites on the dark web are dangerous because they require or contain illegal content or other material people wish to keep hidden. Much of this content and material may not be legal; many journalists and activists have used these sites to research.
What is the dark web?
The Dark Web is the portion of the Internet that remains largely untouched by the legally mandated content filters most commonly associated with the Internet, called “content filters” or “firewalls.” Because of these filters, people often talk about ‘the dark web’ and ‘Tor’ interchangeably. However, this is a mistake. While content filters may block some websites on the Dark Web, many other sites can be accessed freely.
The Dark Web is usually associated with the so-called “Hidden Services” on the TOR network. Hidden Servers are the onion routers at the heart of most Dark Web sites and connect to many other servers that together make up a network, which appears as one site to anyone else on the Internet who does not have access to that network.
Let’s take a closer look at the Internet‘s three primary components: the surface web, deep web, and dark web.
- The Surface Web: this is the part that anyone can access if they’re online. Search engines like Google and Bing navigate this part of the web, as do social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It’s where most people are most comfortable – it’s what we use daily.
- The Deep Web:it is a massive database of information that search engines can’t find. It includes things like the databases for Netflix and Amazon Video, secure government websites, pages behind paywalls (like JSTOR), and many more sources of information that are open but hard to find directly. The deep web is often confused with another term that pops up from time to time: the ‘dark web.
- Dark Web: The dark web, also known as the darknet, is a section of the Internet that requires special software, configurations, or authorization to access. The dark web facts are used for many different things and can be tricky to define. It’s typically split into three categories:
- Hidden Services: These websites can only be accessed using special software or a computer with specialized built-in features that are not accessible to ordinary internet users.
- via I2P hidden services: I2P is a technology that allows users to route their web traffic through other individuals’ computers, making it impossible to trace the path of a user’s internet traffic.
- via Tor hidden services: Tor is free software and an open network that helps you bypass web censorship, access websites and communications, and keep your online identity private.
How does Tor work?
Tor is an open network that anyone can access. To become a Tor user, you must download the Tor browser, which includes special tools that allow you to surf anonymously and access hidden Dark Web sites.
The Tor browser works with the Tor network by encrypting data and sending it through multiple locations worldwide – making it almost impossible for any “man in the middle” to intercept your communications or location. Because of its encryption and anonymity features (as well as other security measures), Tor can be used for everything from messaging family members living abroad to conducting anonymous business deals or checking website availability before launching a public website.
Why Do People Use the ‘Dark Web’?
People may use the ‘Dark Web’ for three primary reasons:
Anonymisation: For various reasons, people may want to safeguard their online identity. In some cases, disclosing their identity could put them in danger — for example, in countries where the government restricts free speech or political repression occurs. Others may use it to reduce their chance of becoming a victim of crime, such as those who have been cyberstalked or are concerned about online banking security. Tor is mainly used to anonymously surf the Internet, with Hidden Services accounting for a modest fraction of its traffic (below).
Accessing ‘Hidden Services’: Most people use the Tor browser to navigate what is known as the “dark net,” essentially a hidden section of the Internet that requires special software or configuration. They typically require you to complete a simple registration process, which can include answering questions about your identity and reason for using Tor, and may have rules restricting access to minors.
Illegal activity: After all, this is the part of the net you should be wary of when it comes to illegal activity. For example, pedophiles or drug dealers may use the service to communicate anonymously and protect their identities. They may also wish to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies in their countries.
How to access the dark web with Tor?
You can access the dark web with Tor. Tor is open-source software that helps you defend against traffic analysis, network surveillance that threatens personal freedom and privacy, confidential business activities, relationships, and state security. The dark web protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers worldwide: it prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, and it contains the sites you visit from learning your physical location.
Tor works with many of your existing applications, including web browsers, instant messaging clients, remote login clients, and other applications based on the TCP protocol.
How to create a website on the dark web?
To create a website on the dark web is very simple but also cost-free. There are plenty of sites offering free hosting and domain names. To create a website, you only need a domain name and an account with one of the supported providers.
Some of the main steps involved in creating a website on the dark web are:
- You will have to get a domain name from any supported providers.
- Now, you need to log in to your account and purchase a hosting space for your website on the dark web.
- Once your website is ready, it’s glad to be hosted on the dark web! As with everything, it’s always better safe than sorry.
Is the dark web the same as the deep web?
While similar in some ways, there are two different things. The deep web is the broad term given to the vast trove of unindexed content on the web, including images, videos, and other kinds of data. The deep web is so-called because it exists outside of search engines and other accessible systems. One entrance to the deep web is Tor’s hidden services.
The dark web refers to sites that are served from servers on Tor’s network, do not follow a standard login procedure, or require physical access to specific IP addresses (such as onion sites). Sites on the dark web often need users to install special software or use cryptographic encryption to gain access.
Conclusion:
The darknet, dark web, or darknets are a series of interconnected networks of the Internet that are either not indexed by search engines or are intentionally not accessible via standard web browsers. The darknet is a series of private, invitation-only networks, also called hidden forums or darknets. The term typically refers to the collections of websites hosted on servers not accessible via standard web browsers.
FAQ:
Can the dark web be used for good?
Yes, the dark web can be used for good. For example, websites that target various minorities can be used to bring them together to achieve their goals. These websites are mainly used by people belonging to the LGBT community, people against terrorism, and others. These sites have a saving clause that allows users to block some of their personal information.
Can the dark web be shut down?
At the moment, nobody can shut down the dark web. So many websites use these networks and servers that it would be effortless for a hacker to find a new server and restore their website.
Is it illegal to view the dark web?
No, it is not illegal to view the dark web. But using it to acquire illegal content and prohibited items can certainly put you behind the bars.
Is Tor illegal in India?
No, it is not. The dark web browser Tor encrypts the IP address and location of its users making it hard to trace the user back.
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