Dark Web and Its Untold Story

Dark Web is generally portrayed as a bad place where criminals gather to communicate away from the law. Although that’s not totally true, there are also plenty of good reasons for you to access dark web websites. So in this article, we will try to figure out what is Dark Web is and things related to it.

So What is Dark Web?

The dark web is just like it sounds — it is below the surface web and not completely dark.

The Dark Web is the most controversial and dangerous part of the internet or it is the hidden collective of internet sites only accessible by a specialized web browser such as Tor.

The dark web is the 3rd layer of the internet, after the surface web and deep web. So before going into depth let's talk about three major Web Layers:

1. The Surface Web

The surface web or clean web is the part of the internet anyone can access at any time using browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc. Any indexed page you can access through a simple Google search is included. You can only see the information that the website’s administrator wants you to and can’t access the files in the backend, account pages, or archives.

As an example, you can browse products from online stores (like Amazon or Flipkart) on the surface web. However, what you see and do on the site is limited until you log into an account and this is when you enter the deep web.

2. The Deep Web

The deep web is the private layer, and it’s often password-protected. It’s the biggest part of the web. Deep web pages can’t be accessed through a simple search, as search engines do not index them — it’s a layer of the internet only accessible to people with a specific link or login credentials.

This category includes cloud drives, account pages on different websites, medical records, credit card information, reports, etc. Most times, you need a specific URL and a password to access pages on the deep web. For example, your company database would be on the deep web.

The dark web and the deep web are not the same, although people often use these two terms interchangeably.

3. The Dark Web

The dark web is the third layer of the internet and the hardest to find. It consists of websites that can’t be accessed using a regular browser. It also uses a different URL structure than sites on the surface and deep web. Websites on the dark web have a string of random letters and numbers that end with .onion instead of .com. Tor is the most commonly used browser for the dark web. However, additional networks include Freenet, Riffle, and I2P. We can find both legal and illegal websites/activities on the dark web, as it is not regulated by any organization.

Web Layers

Is the Dark Web Illegal?

The dark web is legal in most countries, as long as you don’t engage in illegal activities, you shouldn’t have any problems. However, in countries with high censorship (like China), accessing the dark web is entirely illegal. It is strongly advised by every government not to use the dark web for fun/illegal activities to avoid facing legal consequences.

In some countries, even if you did nothing illegal on the dark web, you may be put under surveillance for simply using a dark web browser, like Tor. Authorities use the dark web as a tool to catch criminals participating in illegal activities such as human trafficking, drug or weapon deals, and more.

Here are some most famous criminal cases involving the dark web:

• The Silk Road Case. This site was like the Amazon of the dark web. It started with a good cause in mind but ended up being a host for the sale of illegal goods — such as drugs, weapons, and forged paperwork. The person behind the website got caught because he promoted his website on the surface web using his real email address.
• AlphaBay Case. This website continued where the Silk Road stopped — it sold and traded drugs, weapons, and other illegal products. The owner ended up getting caught because he used weak passwords, his real email address, zero encryption, and more.

Illegal Activities

I know these types of stories leave a negative impression of the dark web, but there is plenty of legal and positive activity that the dark web gives you access to. I recommend that you only visit trusted, reputable sites and protect yourself with additional security measures.

What Can We Do on the Dark Web?

There are many beneficial activities and resources available on the dark web, but it’s important to keep your identity anonymous nonetheless. Using Tor without precautions can make you vulnerable to a number of cyber threats such as hackers, trackers, and malware. However, when you practice safety while visiting the dark web, you can enjoy the many positives it has to offer, such as:

• Free speech. The dark web gives people living in countries under heavy censorship a chance to communicate openly without risk of exposure.
• Exposing criminals or corrupt public figures. Journalists and whistleblowers turn to the dark web as a safe place to share/receive anonymous tips online or investigate controversial situations.
• Buying products is cheaper. Some products can be found on the dark web for less money, such as electronics or security software. But making purchases on the dark web is risky, so you should always use bitcoin and buy from credible sources.
• Research material. On the dark web, you can find free resources such as digital books and research papers.
• Communicating anonymously. There are online communities and support websites available on the dark web, where you can get tips and advice without revealing your identity.

Note: Before indulging in any dark web-related activities, it is advisable to research sites ahead of time, and use your regular browser to search which sites are reputable and which are not. There’s tons of information provided online by security experts, like ExpressVPN, recommending trustworthy .onion links.

Dangers Related to Dark Web That Everyone Should Know About:

The lack of oversight on the dark web can make you vulnerable to cyber attackers any time you visit. These risks are easily avoidable when you are well-informed and know how to protect yourself against them.

Most commonly seen dangers include:

• Potential Malware: By entering the wrong URL or accidentally downloading a malicious file, can install infectious viruses or malware on your device which will expose your personal information or identity. I recommend you browse the dark web with a direct goal in mind — research specific sites ahead of time and keep a list of links that you can trust.
• Dangerous Activities: The dark web is the home of many criminal activities. From the use of stolen or fake documents to drug and weapon dealing. Not only this, it’s a network that includes assassins for hire, child pornography, and even live streams of murders. If you accidentally end up on one of those pages, you may face legal charges, should someone find out.
• Fraudulent Sites: Most of the Hackers on the dark web can easily access your personal data using viruses like trojans. Most of the time all it takes is a simple misclick before all of the information stored on your computer gets leaked. And now we are in this era where cybercriminals are smarter and can activate your computer cameras and microphones to get live streams without your knowledge.
• And many more

Dark Web Services

Why isn’t the dark web shut down?

The dark web hasn’t been shut down since it’s nearly impossible to do — plus, it helps authorities investigate crime and injustice around the globe. Since there are thousands of servers connecting the dark web worldwide, it won’t help if one government shuts it down — it will continue to exist everywhere else.

More Tips to Stay Safe on the Dark Web:

1. Use a different email.
2. Use Bitcoin for any trade,
3. Turn off your location.
4. Be mindful of what you open.
5. Cover your camera and your speaker.
6. Close all unnecessary apps and services on your device.
7. Always use VPN before accessing Dark Web.

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Photo Credits: Google Photos