PRIVACY ALERT: Websites You Visit Can Find Out Who You Are
Understanding the Deep Web
The deep web refers to parts of the internet that are not indexed by traditional search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. While it is often confused with the dark web, the deep web encompasses a much larger segment of the internet.
One of its greatest features is that it is specifically designed to prevent adversary attacks targeting your OS – as it says on the website – “Subgraph OS is an adversary resistant computing platform”. In case of any suspicious malware targeting an application, Subgraph activates a sandbox container and deals with it. Copyrighting means monitoring communication, and that – means no freedom of speech – which is against their rules. I2P sends user’s traffic through about distributed computers, this way creates a vast number of paths through which your messages can be sent. In my next post, I’ll explain how to prepare to navigate the Dark Web. We’ll consider the risks you might face and discuss measures you must take to protect yourself.
Engaging in illegal activities, accessing illicit content, or attempting to breach security systems can have severe legal consequences. This means that the identities and locations of darknet users are hidden from public view and remain anonymous, even when interacting with other users or engaging in any online activity. There are many different ways to access the dark web, but navigating it can be tricky and dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.
What is the Deep Web?
This includes corporate or government whistleblowers (such as WikiLeaks) that publish sensitive information on the Dark Web. If you’re concerned that your personal information could be floating around on the Dark Web or Deep Web, you need to know what that means for your personal and financial safety. After all, not everyone buying on the dark web may need something illegal — they may only want to purchase goods anonymously. Pirated software, movies, books, and other files are shared widely on the dark web.
The deep web includes a variety of content that requires specific access or is hidden behind paywalls, login forms, or other authentication methods for privacy and security reasons. Examples include:
- Online banking sites
- Private databases
- Academic resources
- Email accounts
- Subscription-based services
The dark web is considered to be a smaller subset of the deep web. According to Britannica, the dark web makes up only 0.01% of the deep web. Browsers like Tor, an open-source and free software, allow people to access dark websites where these goods are available, like a digital marketplace.
You might find login portals for websites, payment systems, or even private forums where people discuss sensitive subjects. Because they have strong encryption, onion sites are safe in terms of privacy protection. Because of its anonymity, the dark web is filled with illegal services and is used by numerous criminal groups, including ransomware gangs.
If you’ve ever read anything about the dark web, you probably already know that the dark web was home to Silk Road, an online black market for illegal drugs. All transactions were carried out with bitcoin, ensuring the anonymity of both buyers and sellers. By the time it was shut down in 2013, Silk Road had handled over $1.2 billion worth of illegal goods and services. Along those lines, we may consider as part of the deep web any website that asks for a login and password.
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. The main difference between the deep web and the dark web is that the deep web is bigger and used every day by most people without even realizing it. The dark web can only be accessed with the Tor browser and is riskier to access than the deep web.
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.
Characteristics of the Deep Web
Some key characteristics define the deep web:
- Inaccessibility: Content cannot be accessed without specific credentials or URLs.
- Security: Information is often protected to ensure privacy, making it less vulnerable to unauthorized access.
- Volume: It is significantly larger than the surface web, housing a vast amount of information.
Deep Web vs. Dark Web
It’s crucial to differentiate between the deep web and the dark web:
- The deep web is mostly legal and benign, comprising everyday information not meant for public access.
- The dark web is a small portion of the deep web, often associated with illegal activities such as the sale of drugs, weapons, and stolen data.
Reasons to Access the Deep Web
Accessing the deep web can be beneficial for various reasons, including:
- Conducting academic research with exclusive databases.
- Accessing official documents that are not publicly indexed.
- Utilizing secure communications through encrypted platforms.
Common Myths about the Deep Web
Several misconceptions surround the deep web:
- Myth 1: The deep web is primarily used for illegal activities.
- Myth 2: Everything in the deep web is dangerous or malicious.
- Myth 3: The deep web is synonymous with the dark web.
FAQs about the Deep Web
What is the largest part of the internet?
- One of the great things about Tor is that it can be used to access both the dark web and the surface web.
- This website comes in handy for people living under oppressive regimes, as ProPublica doesn’t shy away from covering controversial topics, such as child labor and corrupt politicians.
- When you try to connect to a .onion website, your traffic gets routed around the internet, bouncing three times to random servers before it reaches your destination website.
- In my next post, I’ll explain how to prepare to navigate the Dark Web.
The deep web is considered the largest part of the internet, consisting of content not available through standard search engines.
Is accessing the deep web legal?
Yes, accessing the deep web is legal; however, caution is advised to avoid illegal elements associated with the dark web.
How can I access the deep web?
You can access the deep web by going directly to URLs of specific sites, such as academic databases or private forums, although some may require subscriptions or logins.
Conclusion
The deep web is an essential part of the internet that provides vast resources and information inaccessible through standard search queries. Understanding this aspect of the web is crucial for navigating online safely and effectively.
