The term “dark web” describes a region of the internet where sites are hidden and accessible only through particular web browsers. Sites on the dark web allow users to browse anonymously, and unlike regular websites, they are protected by encryption tools like the Tor browser.
Search engine information is not a source of data for the dark web. It draws information from personal accounts, including email, social media, and corporate databases. The dark web offers such a high level of privacy that it serves as a shelter for immoral and criminal acts like the selling of illegal drugs, the distribution of pornographic material, the use of credit cards that have been stolen, and the exchange of stolen data.
The dark web has made it possible for illegal transactions to take place, but it has also given political dissidents a means of communication, helped journalists hide their identities and the identities of their sources, and allowed people to seek anonymous medical advice.
How The Dark Web Work
People who use the internet using computers or other devices are given a special online identity based on the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the device. The IP address is what makes sure the data gets to where it’s supposed to. You only need someone’s IP address to track their online behavior, and you can then collect as much data as you like about how they use the internet. In order to make it challenging to track down the websites a device accessed, the dark web employs sophisticated methods to conceal a user’s real IP address. Tor is one of the most popular anonymizing programs (The Onion Router).
Because of the way the software works, it got its name, onion. Through nodes, which are computers run by other Tor users, Tor encrypts the sender’s message and layers it up like an onion before relaying it. A layer of encryption is removed from the message as it passes through each node before moving on to the next. The origin and sender of the message are difficult to determine as a result.
Why People Use the Dark Web
It’s simple to believe that the Dark Web solely exists to facilitate unlawful conduct given its anonymity and enigmatic nature. Although many people do use the Dark Web for this, there are other causes as well. Here is a list of the principal motivations for using the Dark Web:
- Reporting
The Dark Web is frequently used by journalists and reporters working on sensitive topics as a means of getting in touch with sources and conducting research without running the risk of being discovered. Additionally, a lot of news outlets on the Dark Web assert that they provide a less biased and more impartial account of global events. Whether or not this is true depends on your point of view, but it probably holds more weight in some nations than others. This is an excellent illustration of how the Dark Web can be utilized both positively and negatively.
- Drug Sales
The Dark Web is a popular place for drug sales because of the increasing demand for narcotics and the convenience and relative safety of the internet. Dark Web specialists estimate that drug sales on the network generate roughly $315 million annually, and this is after significant drug markets like The Silk Road have been demolished for a while. Every time the government takes down one website, it appears like a new one springs up. One drug dealer disappears and another appears; this is not all that unlike from what occurs in real life. The gap is effectively filled by the market.
The amazing thing about these websites is that they function very similarly to any other eCommerce store. Reviews, menus, and catalogs all serve as self-policing mechanisms to make sure that consumers are purchasing the goods they want. However, it should come as no surprise that these reviews are infamously inaccurate, partly due to the fact that their authors are unknown.
Due to their ability to offer the same level of anonymity as the Dark Web, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and others are typically favored over traditional payment methods. Because of this, many people have unjustly referred to cryptocurrencies as the dark money of the world, but this is a false representation of this technology, which we’ll cover in more detail later.
- Illegal Commerce
On the Dark Web, you can purchase a variety of goods in addition to drugs. There are actually very few things that you cannot purchase. For instance, you can find websites selling anything from stolen bank account information to organs and weapons. Even worse, some websites sell tools that can be used to perpetrate crimes, such ATM card readers that steal bank account information.
You can also buy fake currency, ATM codes, and many other things from them. Bitcoin can also be used for payment, however scams are common. Although monies are typically placed in escrow until the transaction is finished, it’s common for thieves to close the website and deposit the escrow cash before shipping out these goods. In Dark, the adage “buyer beware” is much more relevant.
- Communication
Communication is one of the Dark Web’s less evil purposes. Many people use the Dark Web to avoid authoritarian governments that enjoy poking their noses into internet forums and punishing people for what they say among themselves since users cannot be monitored on the Dark Web.
The 2015 crackdown on VPN usage in China serves as a prime illustration of this. Chinese-language communication on the Dark Web increased as a result of how difficult it was for people in China to interact with one another in privacy.
On the Dark Web, there are innumerable instances of this kind of communication. For instance, Facebook even has a presence on the Dark Web, and BlackBook is a social network that resembles Facebook somewhat. More people may desire to benefit from the anonymity of the Dark Web as privacy concerns grow in our digital age.
- Child Pornography
Unfortunately, the Dark Web is a hub for things like child pornography because of its privacy. Numerous websites, which are visited daily by hundreds of thousands of people, are said to contain hundreds of thousands or even millions of images of minors. Although we occasionally enjoy making fun of the Dark Web’s secrecy, incidents like this serve as a reminder that it also serves as a shelter and breeding ground for some seriously disturbed people.
The Dangers Of The Dark Web
There are dangers on the dark web even if you use it to get around restrictions or increase your online privacy. Being aware of the risks will help you be vigilant for dangers. Let’s go over a few of the dark web’s risks.
- On the dark web, malicious software, or malware, is often used. Although malware can be purchased by criminals on the dark web, there is a risk that it can infect your computer just like any other dubious link you open. There are no measures to try to protect users on the dark web because it is not regulated. You might be exposed to malware infestations including botnets, ransomware, phishing attempts, scams, etc.
- The dark web is a great venue for scammers because there are so many illegal marketplaces online. They might promise to provide a service or a product, but once you pay, they might not. The dark web makes it challenging to track down the culprit, thus they frequently get away. Dark community forums are another potential location for phishing attacks. Phishing could make an effort to steal your identity or control your online accounts. Avoiding suspicious links, never disclosing personal information, and trying to verify a dark website before visiting it are the best ways to avoid scams. Even if you’ve verified a dark website, scammers may still exist there.
How To Access The Dark Web Safely
Utilizing the Tor network is the safest way to access the dark web. Use Tor-over-VPN, or connecting to a VPN first, then using Tor, for increased security. A VPN will conceal your internet activities and stop anyone from discovering that you’re using Tor, which may make many internet service providers (ISPs) and governments wary of Tor use.
- Connect To A Reliable And Safe VPN.
Use a reliable VPN to encrypt your internet connection and mask your IP address. A VPN and Tor are not the same thing, despite the fact that they both offer encryption. You may download and use Tor Browser without your ISP or anybody else knowing about it thanks to a VPN.
Download And Install Tor Browser
The free Tor Browser uses an encrypted Tor network to carry out your traffic routing. Because unlicensed third-party downloads can contain viruses, download Tor Browser from the Tor Project’s official website.
Browse The Dark Web With Tor Browser
You may browse the dark web’s.onion domains using Tor Browser. Never visit a dark website without first verifying its legitimacy because the dark web is mainly unregulated.
Protect Your Identity.
While there are numerous frauds on the dark web, it is not always dangerous. Use encrypted and anonymous email addresses and a bitcoin wallet to make payments when transacting on the dark web.
Install dependable security software on your computer before using it to browse the dark web to keep it safe.