Unveiling the hidden internet, a journey from the familiar surface web to the mysterious depths of the dark web.
The internet, as it is observed now, is an intricate network of information and services. But what most people interact with daily represents only a fraction of the web’s entirety. The web is metaphorically divided into three distinct layers, namely the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web. Each layer serves different purposes and varies in accessibility. It even varies in content and use.
The surface web: the tip of the iceberg
The surface web comes at the tip of the iceberg and is the part of the internet that is most familiar to every single user. It is the type of layer that is indexed by search engines, including Google, Yahoo, and Bing, which make it easy to access anyone with an internet connection. Elements such as news articles, social media, blogs, and websites fall into this category and can be found through a simple search query.
Despite the visibility, the surface web constitutes only about 4 to 5 per cent of the total content that is available on the internet. However, the content here is public but often regulated. Websites on the surface web are designed to be user-friendly and are subject to various rules and regulations, which help ensure they the owners adhere to legal and ethical standards. The majority of the users spend their time on this layer, but they are unaware that it is a tiny fraction of what exists online.
The deep web: the hidden underbelly
Beneath the surface web, there lies the deep web, which is a much longer portion of the internet that is not indexed by standard search engines. As per research, the deep web is estimated to be around 400 to 500 times larger than the surface web, accessible to everyone. On the other hand, it is important to note that the deep web is not malicious or illegal than the dark web. Rather, it is the layer where much of the content is found, which is perfectly legitimate.
This layer of the internet, the deep web, includes databases, academic journals, medical records, and also legal documents. Subscription-based content like paid news services and academic articles are circulated on the web. These pages are not indexed by search engines so is the dark web because they require specific credentials, including subscriptions and passwords, in order to access them. Government databases, financial records, along personal email accounts are all examples of deep web content.
For most users, accessing the deep web is a routine part of internet usage. Difficult to understand? Let’s understand with an example: when a person logs into their bank account online, they are accessing the deep web. The deep web is very important for protecting information as well as maintaining privacy online. Despite its potential to protect the sensitive data of users, it also leads to some sort of challenges since it serves as a gateway to the more controversial and hidden part of the web, which is the dark web.
The dark web: The internet’s shrouded abyss
The dark web is the small portion of the deep web that has been hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. The attention to access the dark web needs special software the most common being The Onion Router (Tor). The importance of this software is that it anonymises user data and makes tracking almost impossible. It could be highlighted that this layer of the web is associated with illegal activities because of the anonymity it provides.
Over the years, the dark web has been notorious for illicit activities, including illegal arms sales and human and drug trafficking, yet it is important to understand that not all dark web content is illegal. This also serves as a haven for journalists, whistleblowers, along with activists operating under oppressive regimes. The anonymity of the dark web allows these individuals to communicate, where they can share information without being afraid of any kind of persecution.
There is a need to consider the dark web’s association with criminal activities. As per the reports, marketplaces on the dark web, including the Infamous Silk Road, have been known to facilitate the trade of illegal goods. Law enforcement agencies around the earth have been working to crack down on these illegal activities, but the elusive nature of the dark web creates a sense of difficulty in completing this.
Increasing scrutiny and established regulations
There has been a rising analysis of the final web, the dark web, by governments and international organisations. It is evaluated that efforts to curb illegal activities on the dark web have intensified with law enforcement agencies; thus, it led to significant arrests and shutdown of illegal marketplaces. A joint operation between Europol and the FBI led to the takedown of one of the largest dark web marketplaces in the year 2023. This resulted in dozens of arrests, along with the seizure of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.
How to access the layers without experiencing any harm?
When an individual tries to access the deep web and dark web, it requires specific tools and knowledge. The dark web requires a lot more effort since anonymity is a key concern.
Accessing the deep web and dark web –
The deep web is not so dangerous or illegal, and it is simply the portion of the internet that is not indexed by search engines. Everyday works, including accessing email, online banking, and academic databases, are observed to occur on the deep web. However, it is the dark web that demands extra focus while accessing. The table below points out the steps to access to deep web and dark web.
| Aspect | Deep web | Dark web |
| Browser | Use standard web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) | Use Tor Browser |
| Access | Direct URLs or login portals | .onion sites accessed through Tor |
| Subscription/Access | Requires login credentials or subscriptions | Requires Tor and often uses anonymous access |
| Content | Private databases, academic resources, online banking | Anonymised websites, forums, and marketplaces |
| Search engines | Not indexed by regular search engines; specific URLs needed | Use specialised search engines like DuckDuckGo on Tor |
| Security precautions | Standard security practices (strong passwords, HTTPS) | Use VPN with Tor, avoid sharing personal information |
| Legal considerations | Legal to access; avoid unauthorised data | Legal risks: many activities and sites are illegal |
| Downloads | Generally safe on reputable sites | Avoid downloads; risk of malware and malicious software |
| Transactions | Use standard payment methods | Typically conducted with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin |
| Updates and research | Regularly update browser and security tools | Keep Tor and security tools updated; research before accessing |
What are the precautions that should be maintained when accessing the dark web?
Although Tor provides a degree of anonymity, using a virtual private network in conjunction with Tor is helpful to make security measures stronger since VPN shields the users’ Internet Protocol (IP) address from their Internet Service Provider (ISP). The users should avoid sharing real names, emails, and any other identifiable information while browsing the dark web.
Well, browsing the deep web is not illegal in itself. Many activities and websites on the dark web are illegal. Accessing and encouraging illegal content leads to serious legal consequences. In the US, the country has strict laws against cybercrime, including drug trafficking, hacking, and distribution of illegal pornography. Law enforcement agencies Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), monitor the Dark web in the US, conducting operations to shut down illegal marketplaces. The Silk Road is a dark web marketplace that was shut down by the FBI in 2013. The founder, Ross Ulbricht, was arrested and sentenced to life in prison.
In the UK, the country has similar laws with strict penalties for cybercrime, which are online fraud and distribution of illegal content, etc. The National Crime Agency (NCA) monitors the dark web. The NCA in the UK was involved in Operation Onymous in 2014, which was a global operation targeting illegal dark web marketplace. This resulted in arrests of corrupt people and site takedowns.
In China, the country maintains censorship of the internet, and it is known as the Great Firewall. This censorship blocks access to many Western websites. The government of the country monitors activities, and access to the dark web is regulated. The users who are engaged in anti-government speech access banned sites and spread rumours. Involvement in such functions leads to severe punishment. China has arrested users for using VPNs to bypass the Great Firewall along with accessing foreign websites. This is because they went against the government’s approval to do so.
The dark web is rife with malware along with other malicious software. The users should take extra care not to download anything unless they are 200 per cent sure it is safe, and even then, scan it with multiple security tools. And some of the examples are –
The antivirus software is Kaspersky, which is known for its robust protection against a wide range of malware. It provides protection against ransomware and spyware. Malware scanners tools are also there which are Malwarebytes and Spybot. Malwarebytes are specific in detecting and removing malware, including spyware, adware as well as ransomware. Similarly, the Spybot – search and destroy is a tool that focuses on detecting and removing spyware and adware.
The potential examples of VPNs are NordVPN and CyberGhost. NordVPN specialises in encrypting internet traffic, which makes it harder for malicious actors to intercept and inject malware. The CyberGhost also offers anonymous browsing options with robust encryption and no-logs policy.
FAQ
What are the differences between the surface web, deep web, and dark web?
The key difference between the surface web, deep web, and dark web is that the first one is the part of the internet that is accessible to the public using standard browsers and search engines. The deep web is the largest part of the internet, and it is made up of restricted areas that are not indexed by search engines. The dark web is the subset of the deep web, which is even more inaccessible and requires specialised software like Tor and tools to access.
Is it illegal to access the deep web and dark web?
The attempt to access to deep web and dark web itself is not illegal. But the legality depends on what an individual does while accessing there. When users indulge in illegal activities, including buying and selling drugs, illegal weapons, and stolen data, then they can face legal charges.
What are the risks of browsing the dark web?
There are potential risks like legal risks, cybersecurity risks, scams and fraud, and also exposure to illegal content, etc.
What is the use of the dark web?
Some use the dark web for legitimate reasons, like whistleblowers, journalists, and political activists. But many controversial things are also happening on the dark web, including cybercrime, drug trafficking, weapons sales, and stolen data.
Is the dark web associated with illegal activities?
Yes, the dark web is associated with illegal activities, but it is crucial to understand that not everything on this web is illegal.
What tools are used to protect from malware on the dark web?
To protect from malware on the dark web, the credible tools are VPN, Tor Browser, Sandboxing, and Malwarebytes. The users are also required to regularly update and back up important data in order to secure locations.
What are legal actions taken against dark web activities?
A number of actions can be taken against wrong activities done on the dark web. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and Europol are some of the legitimate law enforcement bodies that conduct targeted operations in order to shut down dark web forums.
