Often likened to an environment for a hotbed of illicit criminal activity, the dark web is a part of the internet that modern search engines like Google cannot index. Frequently used interchangeably, it is important to note that the deep web and the dark web are not one and the same. The deep web is content that is behind a paywall or requires a sign-in, with examples being medical record websites, fee-based websites, corporate intranet pages, and banking websites. Within the deep web, is the dark web which is purposely hidden and needs a special browser — Tor — to access and view.
Dangers of the Dark Web
The dangers lurking in the dark web are vast, with common use cases being the sale of social security numbers, bank account information, weapons, drugs, and more. Generally speaking, dark websites look identical to any other website you visit on the internet with a few differences. The most notable difference is that instead of ending in the traditional .com address, dark web websites end in .onion, which can only be accessed with a Tor browser. Most recently, the dark web has seen a rise in usage with the rise in popularity of cryptocurrency and, more specifically, bitcoin. Payment for purchases made on the dark web is nearly always required to be made with crypto because it aids anonymity.
What Is the Purpose of the Dark Web?
While the dark web has a more negative connotation than the surface web, it is not inherently all nefarious. One of the original purposes of creating the dark web was to create an anonymous space for free speech. As such, it remains popular with individuals looking to have private and confidential discussions in a safe and secure environment. Examples of legitimate websites that can be found on the dark web include Facebook, whistleblower websites like Wikileaks, and political news sites.
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