Most people have heard of the dark web and that it’s bad—but many people don’t truly know what the dark web is used for and what kind of content it contains.
, a cybersecurity firm, defines the dark web as, “the part of the internet where users can access unindexed web content anonymously through special web browsers.”
The dark web is commonly associated with bad, illegal activities. But it can also be used legally by innocent groups such as intelligence communities, whistleblowers, members of the media and ordinary people whose communication or activity may be closely monitored or restricted by the government.
What is the surface web (open web)?
The surface web, also known as the open web, is the part of the internet accessible to everyday users without needing special browsers or software. These websites can be indexed and easily found through standard search engines. According to
, the open web makes up only about 5% of the internet’s total content, while the remaining majority exists on the deep web and dark web. Approximately 90% of all websites are on the deep web. In many ways, the surface web is only the tip of the iceberg.
The dark web exists within the deep web, a section of the internet that can only be accessed using a Tor (The Onion Router) browser. While accessing it is legal, most everyday internet users will never have a reason to visit this part of the web.
How did the dark web start?
According to
, the dark web is believed to have originated in 2000 with the launch of Freenet, a thesis project created by Ian Clarke while he was a student at University of Edinburgh. The project aimed to develop a “Distributed Decentralized Information Storage and Retrieval System.”
However,
states that the dark web’s origins can be traced back to researchers and scientists at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, who recognized in 2002 how vulnerable digital activity and communication were to monitoring, interception, and exploitation. The dark web developed from a need for more secure communication within the intelligence community, even though it is now commonly linked to illegal or suspicious activity.
How does the dark web work?
The dark web relies on a technology known as “onion routing,” which helps shield users from surveillance and tracking by sending their data through a random network of encrypted servers. As users access websites, their information passes through thousands of relay points that obscure their identity and make their online activity extremely difficult to trace.
Is the dark web dangerous?
The dark web is often viewed negatively because it can serve as a hub for hackers and criminal activity, making it a risky space to browse. While simply accessing the dark web is not illegal, engaging in illegal activity there remains unlawful, regardless of anonymity. According to
, a 2020 study estimated that roughly 57% of content on the dark web is associated with illegal activity.
Even though the dark web offers anonymity, interacting with individuals engaged in illegal activity can still carry serious legal consequences. In recent years, major law enforcement crackdowns on dark web marketplaces have led to hundreds of arrests worldwide. Anonymity on the dark web does not mean there are no repercussions.
The dark web is commonly used for illegal activities such as the trading of drugs, weapons, passwords, stolen identities, and other illicit goods, as well as the distribution of illegal pornography and harmful content. Over time, its anonymity has also contributed to ongoing cybersecurity risks and data breaches since its development.
Can the dark web be used legally?
Despite its reputation as a dangerous space, the dark web can have lawful applications, including offering a way for individuals in heavily surveilled countries to communicate privately and avoid government censorship.
The New Yorker and The Guardian are among some news organizations that use the dark web to allow whistleblowers to securely and anonymously leak sensitive information to reporters.
Undercover officers and intelligence agents use the dark web as a secure channel to communicate and investigate criminal markets while protecting their identities and IP addresses.
While the anonymity of the dark web can be appealing for certain reasons, it creates a hub for criminals, putting all users in danger.
Given that the risks of accessing the dark web far outweigh any potential benefits, it is strongly recommended that you avoid it entirely.
Adria Peters began her position with Forum Communications Company as Audience Engagement Specialist in June 2024. Readers can reach Adria by email at adria.peters@forumcomm.com.
Most people have heard of the dark web and that it’s bad—but many people don’t truly know what the dark web is used for and what kind of content it contains.
, a cybersecurity firm, defines the dark web as, “the part of the internet where users can access unindexed web content anonymously through special web browsers.”
The dark web is commonly associated with bad, illegal activities. But it can also be used legally by innocent groups such as intelligence communities, whistleblowers, members of the media and ordinary people whose communication or activity may be closely monitored or restricted by the government.
What is the surface web (open web)?
The surface web, also known as the open web, is the part of the internet accessible to everyday users without needing special browsers or software. These websites can be indexed and easily found through standard search engines. According to
, the open web makes up only about 5% of the internet’s total content, while the remaining majority exists on the deep web and dark web. Approximately 90% of all websites are on the deep web. In many ways, the surface web is only the tip of the iceberg.
The dark web exists within the deep web, a section of the internet that can only be accessed using a Tor (The Onion Router) browser. While accessing it is legal, most everyday internet users will never have a reason to visit this part of the web.
How did the dark web start?
According to
, the dark web is believed to have originated in 2000 with the launch of Freenet, a thesis project created by Ian Clarke while he was a student at University of Edinburgh. The project aimed to develop a “Distributed Decentralized Information Storage and Retrieval System.”
However,
states that the dark web’s origins can be traced back to researchers and scientists at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, who recognized in 2002 how vulnerable digital activity and communication were to monitoring, interception, and exploitation. The dark web developed from a need for more secure communication within the intelligence community, even though it is now commonly linked to illegal or suspicious activity.
How does the dark web work?
The dark web relies on a technology known as “onion routing,” which helps shield users from surveillance and tracking by sending their data through a random network of encrypted servers. As users access websites, their information passes through thousands of relay points that obscure their identity and make their online activity extremely difficult to trace.
Is the dark web dangerous?
The dark web is often viewed negatively because it can serve as a hub for hackers and criminal activity, making it a risky space to browse. While simply accessing the dark web is not illegal, engaging in illegal activity there remains unlawful, regardless of anonymity. According to
, a 2020 study estimated that roughly 57% of content on the dark web is associated with illegal activity.
Even though the dark web offers anonymity, interacting with individuals engaged in illegal activity can still carry serious legal consequences. In recent years, major law enforcement crackdowns on dark web marketplaces have led to hundreds of arrests worldwide. Anonymity on the dark web does not mean there are no repercussions.
The dark web is commonly used for illegal activities such as the trading of drugs, weapons, passwords, stolen identities, and other illicit goods, as well as the distribution of illegal pornography and harmful content. Over time, its anonymity has also contributed to ongoing cybersecurity risks and data breaches since its development.
Can the dark web be used legally?
Despite its reputation as a dangerous space, the dark web can have lawful applications, including offering a way for individuals in heavily surveilled countries to communicate privately and avoid government censorship.
The New Yorker and The Guardian are among some news organizations that use the dark web to allow whistleblowers to securely and anonymously leak sensitive information to reporters.
Undercover officers and intelligence agents use the dark web as a secure channel to communicate and investigate criminal markets while protecting their identities and IP addresses.
While the anonymity of the dark web can be appealing for certain reasons, it creates a hub for criminals, putting all users in danger.
Given that the risks of accessing the dark web far outweigh any potential benefits, it is strongly recommended that you avoid it entirely.
Adria Peters began her position with Forum Communications Company as Audience Engagement Specialist in June 2024. Readers can reach Adria by email at adria.peters@forumcomm.com.
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