What is the Dark Web Used For?

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, but it also has legitimate uses. In this article, we will explore what the dark web is used for.

Illegal Activities

Drug Trafficking: The dark web is often used for the sale and distribution of illegal drugs. Online marketplaces, such as the Silk Road, have been shut down by law enforcement agencies, but new ones continue to emerge.

How Can Organizations Combat The Threats The Dark Web Poses?

That’s why many people today prefer an identity theft protection service in combination with a financial and credit fraud protection solution. It’s much more effective to catch early signs of fraud when you find out about new inquiries on your credit file, like new credit cards or bank loans, in near-real time. Once your personal information is stolen and leaked through data breaches, it becomes scattered across the web, becoming impossible to delete that information from the internet.

Firearms and Weapons: The dark web is also used for the sale of firearms and weapons. These can range from handguns to assault rifles, and even explosives.

How To Access The Deep Web Using Tor

When you join the Freenet network, you agree to share a percentage of your local disk space. This space is securely encrypted, and other Freenet members download parts of files that are stored on it (in a way not dissimilar to BitTorrent(new window)). 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. As your traffic passes through Tor, it’s encrypted and bounced between at least three relay points, known as nodes.

Stolen Data: The dark web is a popular place for cybercriminals to sell stolen data, such as credit card information, social security numbers, and login credentials.

Hacking Services: The dark web is home to many hackers who offer their services for hire. These services can range from DDoS attacks to data breaches.

How To Access The Dark Web Safely Step-by-Step

Legitimate Uses

Aleksandar Kochovski is an expert in cybersecurity with a pronounced emphasis on secure cloud storage, a key component of modern cloud computing. His tenure at Cloudwards as a writer and editor has been marked by contributions to complex topics like data security, cloud backup and file sharing in cloud storage systems. Aside from his work at Cloudwards, his expertise has been acknowledged in reputable publications like The Daily Beast. The deep web fulfills a range of needs, from allowing people to host and access digital content away from the prying eyes of authoritarian governments, to facilitating a range of illegal activities. Chan-style forums enable users to post anonymously without registering for an account.

Whistleblowing: The dark web can be used for whistleblowing, allowing individuals to share sensitive information without fear of retribution. This is because the dark web provides anonymity and encryption, making it difficult for authorities to trace the source of the information.

“The data helps brands learn when they are mentioned in a negative context — as in a vulnerability, hack attempt or leaked information,” Geva said. Browsing the dark web can be interesting and exciting, but it can also be horrifying and dangerous. There is almost a complete lack of law enforcement presence on the dark web, which means illicit and illegal content and material can be easily found. This can even include child abuse images, which could be very traumatic for unprepared viewers. The Tor Project was made available to the public in 2004 but the idea of “onion routing” began in the mid-1990s.

Political Activism: The dark web can be used for political activism, allowing individuals to communicate and organize without fear of government surveillance or censorship.

Journalism: The dark web can be used for journalism, allowing reporters to communicate with sources and publish information without fear of retribution.

Further explore why enterprise dark web monitoring is worth the investment. Finally, the popularity of the dark web with criminals makes it a perfect way for undercover police officers to communicate. The dark web and the deep web are also often erroneously used interchangeably.

• Even if you never go on the dark web, your personal information could still be floating around on it.
• Connecting to the Tor network might raise eyebrows depending on who and where you are.
• On the basis of the many stories that go around related to the dark net and the anonymity of the users, it is easy to get the impression that the network is intrinsically illegal.
• That way, you can change your passwords and protect your accounts before anyone can use your data against you.
• As hoped, the Tor anonymous network grew in popularity among computer enthusiasts, privacy advocates, journalists, dissidents under repressive governments, and others desirous of strict secrecy.
• Knowledge gaps between professionals and the young people they support may be apparent when it comes to online activity.

FAQs

• What is the dark web? The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers.
• Is the dark web illegal? No, the dark web itself is not illegal. However, it is often used for illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, firearms sales, and stolen data.
• How do I access the dark web? To access the dark web, you will need to use a special browser, such as Tor.
• Is the dark web dangerous? The dark web can be dangerous, as it is often used for illegal activities. However, it can also be used for legitimate purposes, such as whistleblowing and political activism.

In conclusion, the dark web is used for a variety of purposes, both legal and illegal. While it is often associated with criminal activity, it also has legitimate uses, such as whistleblowing, political activism, and journalism. If you choose to access the dark web, be sure to take precautions to protect your privacy and security.