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Understanding the Deep Web
We do not claim, and you should not assume, that all users will have the same experiences. ⁴ Child members on the family plan will only have access to online account monitoring and social security number monitoring features. That’s why many people today prefer an identity theft protection service in combination with a financial and credit fraud protection solution.
But if this is not possible, it’s important to employ reliable security measures, including antivirus software, and to access dark web sites only via a VPN. In addition, the Tor browser, Tor applications and operating systems should be kept up to date, and companies might want to limit or monitor their use. Award-winning identity theft protection with AI-powered digital security tools, 24/7 White Glove support, and more. That’s why family identity theft protection and financial fraud protection are key security layers needed to keep your life safe and secure. If it’s legal for them to sell your data in plain sight, imagine what cybercriminals are doing on the Dark Web with stolen personal information and their complete disregard for laws or regulations.
The deep web refers to parts of the internet that are not indexed by standard search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. While many people confuse the deep web with the dark web, they are not the same; the deep web encompasses a vast array of legitimate and benign content.
What Constitutes the Deep Web?
The Deep and Dark Web lay outside the publicly accessible portions of the Internet and are used for different purposes. It’s a collection of secret websites (ending in .onion) that require special software to access them. People use Tor so that their Web activity can’t be traced — it runs on a relay system that bounces signals among different Tor-enabled computers around the world. Onion sites often use scrambled names that make their URLs difficult to remember, minimizing the odds of being reported to authorities. It’s possible to search the dark web using specialized dark web search engines like Grams or link lists like The Hidden Wiki.
In particular, individuals often are more likely to find illegal media, engage in illicit criminal activity, and trade exchange stolen data on the dark web. The term “darknet” refers to systems that aren’t listed on search engines like Google, Microsoft, or Yahoo. These are media companies that are only exposed to a small group of people rather than the general internet public and are only accessible through approval, specific scripting, and agreements. Traditional search engines return results because they contain indexes of links to websites.
Generally, the deep web includes:
- Private databases, such as academic journals and research papers.
- Online banking and financial services.
- Subscription-based content, including streaming services and news articles.
- Corporate websites that require a login.
- Medical records and health information.
Note that Sci-hub is illegal in some countries because of copyright restrictions, so you might want to check the laws in your region before accessing or downloading Sci-hub’s papers. However, the main difference is that you can get in touch with the agency without being wary of tracking. If you absolutely can’t afford to have your identity or the information you’re sharing to get leaked, we recommend going with extra protection. The CIA has set up shop on Tor for people who want to communicate with the agency anonymously. You’ll be able to access everything on the regular site, including contact information for the CIA, job listings, and archival information like the World Factbook.
Beyond that, the deep web also consists of gated content behind a log-in page. Analysts also consider protected content like your personal email, online bank account, and Dropbox dog photo album deep web content, too. Technically speaking, the dark web is the content existing on darknets, closed-off networks that exist on top of the regular internet and use its infrastructure. The two terms are used interchangeably, just like the World Wide Web and internet are. However, unlike the clear net, the dark web is well hidden, can’t be accessed via a normal web browser, and is very likely illegal. Any website that search engine crawlers can index belongs to the “surface web” — the public internet for you to find and use.
Stay Private And Protected Online With A VPN
Aside from his work at Cloudwards, his expertise has been acknowledged in reputable publications like The Daily Beast. Even though the dark web is touted as being private and secure, there are still risks involved. Just like the surface web, the dark web is riddled with scams, phishing sites, and malware designed to exploit new users who may not know any better.
Is the Deep Web Dangerous?
While the deep web contains a wealth of information, it is essential to understand that not all of it is safe. Users can encounter potential risks, which include:
- Phishing websites that attempt to steal personal information.
- Malware and viruses embedded in certain content.
- Scams that prey on vulnerable individuals.
However, most of the deep web is perfectly safe and serves functional purposes across various domains, such as business, healthcare, and academia.
Exploring the Deep Web
Accessing the deep web is relatively straightforward. Most content can be reached through regular web browsers, provided users have the proper credentials. Here are the most common methods:
- Addresses tend to be a mix of random numbers and letters, making them challenging to remember or access manually.
- Instead, the deep web describes all web pages hidden from the search engines we use every day.
- This works by limiting your search to a specific domain or website, thus eliminating irrelevant results and focusing solely on data from trusted sources.
- The dark web is a relatively new concept, at least when you consider the history of the internet as a whole.
- You could consider the clear or surface web the “top” and visible layer of the internet, easily accessible using a browser such as Safari, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
- Using specific URLs that lead to databases or secure sites.
- Signing up for membership or subscriptions to access content.
- Utilizing specialized search engines designed for exploring the deep web, such as Academic Search Engines.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deep Web
What is the difference between the deep web and the dark web?
The deep web is a vast space of web pages not indexed by search engines, while the dark web is a small portion of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and often associated with illegal activities.
How much of the internet is the deep web?
It is estimated that the deep web is significantly larger than the surface web, sometimes said to be 400 to 500 times its size.
Can I access the deep web with a standard web browser?
Yes, most content in the deep web can be accessed through standard browsers, though some resources may require specific access methods or tools.
Conclusion
The deep web plays a critical role in online activity, providing essential services and information that are not reachable through conventional means. By understanding its scope and distinguishing it from the dark web, users can safely navigate this intricate and expansive part of the internet.
