Some people simply prefer not to share any information online and use Tor to access normal websites outside the dark web, or to visit dark web news websites and forums. The Tor Project says that of the 2 million people using Tor every day, only 1.5% of them are accessing hidden, or dark, websites. And most dark web websites are in English — according to one estimate, a staggering 78% of information on the dark web is in English. The standard dark web browser is Tor Browser, which directs your browser traffic through the Tor network so you can reach the darknet.
Do you have a plan in place that lays out how to identify, protect, detect, respond, and recovery to cybersecurity threats? That the basis of the NIST Cybersecurity Foundation, and it’s at the core of everything we do at Cybriant. We also believe that effective threat detection starts with superior threat prevention. In fact, we created a service that offers five essential cyber risk management needs that most companies should consider.
The FEDS have programs that can match identities on random things such as matching time online and other things with the browser window size, I shit you not. Before doing anything on the Dark Web or even learning about it, make sure you are protected with a VPN and Tor. Only at the end of this “chain” of onion nodes does your data become decrypted and sent to the final destination. They keep logs of all the traffic that passes through, which means that they can actually point back to you if necessary. Unsupervised Learning is a security, AI, and meaning-focused newsletter/podcast that looks at how best to thrive as humans in a post-AI world.
Exploring the Dark Deep Web
The term dark deep web refers to a part of the internet that is not indexed by standard search engines. Unlike the surface web, where websites are easily accessible, the dark deep web is characterized by anonymity, untraceable transactions, and a plethora of illegal activities.
What is the Dark Deep Web?
Content on the Deep Web is not readily available because it’s not fully indexed by search engines or because it’s password-protected. DuckDuckGo can be used to view dark web sites because it also shows .onion links. Thus, services like Google won’t bring you anywhere on the dark web, whereas DuckDuckGo will allow you to visit dark websites.
It’s imperative that any dark web exploring is done with extreme caution. The deep web protects confidential information, and the dark web allows users to browse with a considerable amount of anonymity. However, risks exist because threat actors focus efforts on accessing portions of the deep web for potential financial rewards. Over 96% of online content is on the deep web — most of the information we access on the internet requires authentication, like your online banking portal or email account. Imagine if anybody could access these accounts by just Googling your name.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an extra layer of security you can enable on your accounts. MFA protects you in the event that someone is able to gain access to your login credentials since it requires a second method of authentication before they’re able to successfully log in. According to Dataprot, a rough estimate is that the surface web makes up only 5% of the internet and the rest is made up of the deep web. The surface web is anything on the internet that you’re able to search for on standard search engines.
The dark deep web consists of encrypted networks and hidden sites that require specific software to access. The most notable of these is Tor (The Onion Router), which anonymizes users and allows them to browse anonymously. Here are some key features:
- Anonymity: Users remain anonymous while browsing, making it appealing for those wishing to hide their online activities.
- Unregulated content: Many sites on the dark deep web host illegal content, from drugs and weapons to stolen data.
- Cryptocurrency use: Transactions on the dark deep web often use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to maintain anonymity.
Accessing the Dark Deep Web
To access the dark deep web, users typically need specialized software. The two most popular tools are:
- Tor Browser: This browser routes internet traffic through a series of volunteer-operated servers, concealing the user’s IP address.
- I2P (Invisible Internet Project): Another anonymity layer, facilitating peer-to-peer communication that is hard to trace.
Risks Associated with the Dark Deep Web
- It is these qualities that make it a haven for all kinds of criminal and illegal activity.
- For instance, consider any password-protected websites such as Wells Fargo’s online banking portal.
- Rumors say that this shadow web is a place where even darker, more serious criminal activity takes place.
- Securing this data prevents it from being compromised and possibly showing up for sale on the dark web.
While the dark deep web offers anonymity, it carries significant risks, including:
- Legal repercussions: Engaging with illegal activities can lead to severe legal consequences.
- Scams and fraud: Many transactions can result in scams, with buyers often receiving nothing after payment.
- Malware exposure: Sites may distribute malware, compromising users’ devices and personal information.
Ready For A Better Internet?
Common Uses of the Dark Deep Web
The dark deep web hosts a variety of content and communities, including:
- Forums: Discussions on topics like hacking, privacy, and activism.
- Marketplaces: Platforms for buying illegal goods and services.
- Whistleblowing: Platforms where individuals can share sensitive information anonymously.
FAQs about the Dark Deep Web
1. Is the dark deep web safe to access?
No, it’s not entirely safe. Users face numerous risks, including legal issues and exposure to scams.
2. What can you find on the dark deep web?
You can find everything from illicit goods to forums discussing sensitive topics like privacy and government surveillance.
3. Can law enforcement track dark deep web activity?
While users can maintain a degree of anonymity, law enforcement agencies have developed methods to track illegal activities on the dark deep web.
4. Do I need special skills to navigate the dark deep web?
While basic knowledge of using Tor or I2P is beneficial, the dark deep web can be navigated with reasonable care and caution.
Conclusion
The dark deep web stands as a complex and often dangerous area of the internet. While it offers benefits in terms of privacy and anonymity, it also harbors numerous risks. Understanding its dynamics is crucial for anyone considering exploring this hidden side of the web.
