What’s In This Article?
The Silk Road was shut down by law enforcement in 2013, but other dark web marketplaces have since emerged to take its place. The internet is home to billions of websites — an estimated 1.7 billion to be exact, although that number changes every day as new sites are made and others are deleted. Your daily internet activity likely falls within the publicly available and readily accessible portion of the internet (otherwise known as the surface web). However, there are additional “levels” of the internet beyond that top level.
Unfortunately, the threat is still real and every organization is at risk. TOR is a free application and is gaining in popularity for home use. There are even TOR apps for smartphones that allow you to surf the deep web anywhere you have service.
Understanding the Deep Web
Here are some research tips to help you navigate the Deep Web and find the information you need. In essence, while the Deep Web is a resource like no other for discerning netizens, it also demands respect. Navigate it with the right knowledge and tools, and you can explore its resources while ensuring your digital safety and reputation remain uncompromised.
In 2021, it was forced by the Swiss courts to begin logging the IP addresses and browser fingerprint information of one of its customers. Proton VPN has decent connection speeds and has tools for giving long-distance connections a bump. Its VPN Accelerator distributes the CPU load between multiple processes in OpenVPN, and modifies the servers’ Linux stacks to shorten the normal packet processing path. All Surfshark servers are RAM-only and support the Wireguard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN protocols.
- You don’t even have to know exactly what you are looking for to get more information on a topic than you could read through in a year.
- A dark web VPN prevents websites and your ISP from knowing when you’re using the Tor browser.
- The pages on the deep web can include paywalled websites, pay-to-access services such as Netflix, private databases, email mailboxes, and any other content that is not indexed by web search engines.
- Tor will protect your IP when visiting websites and I2P is a proxy network that can help journalists reporting from dangerous territories.
- This is something called Tor over VPN, where the VPN will mask the fact that you’re using Tor once you connect to a VPN server.
Most of the deep web is heavily encrypted to keep hackers out, so most of the time, you won’t be able to access the kinds of information you might be curious about. Dark web URLs are often long, random, and complex, making it hard for people to navigate towards what they’re looking for even when they’re actually on the dark web. There are a few dark web sites, however, that do index dark web pages. It’s all something we hear about when we first start browsing the internet at some point in our lives, instilling either fear, curiosity, or both. Yet it’s surprisingly pretty small, with some sources putting it at around just 5% of the internet. Mark contributions as unhelpful if you find them irrelevant or not valuable to the article.
An early version of the Tor browser was created to combat the challenges presented by the lack of privacy during the initial days of the internet. Its main goal was to prevent spy communications from being discovered; however, the framework was eventually repurposed and made public. If the surface web is the visible part of an iceberg above water, the deep web is the part submerged beneath – much larger but hidden from plain view. Some people use the terms ‘dark web’ and ‘deep web’ interchangeably; however, significant portions of the deep web are completely legal and safe to use. If your safety isn’t guaranteed when visiting, is it really worth going?
Crawlers can’t find deep web content because these websites don’t have any inbound or outbound links connecting them directly to the surface web. It would be like trying to locate a hidden passageway that doesn’t have any doors and isn’t on any maps. Tor may not be the only way to access the deep web, but it’s certainly the easiest to learn. Navy to allow people to read the internet anonymously, Tor helps hide your identity by encrypting your traffic and sending it through a series of randomly selected relays or nodes. This causes your information to trace back to the Tor network and not to you. While accessing the dark web isn’t necessarily wrong or illegal, it’s important to know how to navigate this part of the internet safely.
The deep web refers to parts of the internet that are not indexed by conventional search engines like Google or Bing. It is distinct from the dark web, which is a small portion of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers.
Why Access the Deep Web?
People seek to access the deep web for various reasons, including:
- Researching sensitive topics
- Accessing academic papers and databases
- Finding specialized forums and communities
- Protecting privacy while browsing
How to Get into Deep Web
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get into deep web safely and securely:
Step 1: Prepare Your Computer
Before diving into the deep web, ensure your device is secure:
- Install antivirus software
- Keep your operating system updated
- Use a reliable firewall
- Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Step 2: Download a Specialized Browser
The most common way to access the deep web is by using a specialized browser:
- Tor Browser: The most popular choice for accessing the deep web and dark web. It allows users to operate anonymously.
- I2P: An alternative to Tor, I2P offers anonymity in both browsing and hosting.
Step 3: Connect to the Deep Web
Once you have your browser ready:
- Launch the Tor or I2P browser.
- Understand the risks associated with deep web browsing.
- Start by visiting websites that end with .onion for Tor or .i2p for I2P.
Step 4: Navigate Safely
While browsing the deep web:
- Avoid sharing personal information.
- Be cautious of links and downloads.
- Utilize security features within your browser.
Common Deep Web Resources
Here are some resources you can explore:
- Academic Publications: Many universities provide access to papers and theses.
- Forums: Some forums focus on niche topics not found on the surface web.
- Marketplaces: While some are illegal, there are legitimate marketplaces for digital goods.
FAQs About Accessing the Deep Web
Is accessing the deep web illegal?
No, merely accessing the deep web is not illegal. However, engaging in illegal activities found there is against the law.
What is the difference between the deep web and the dark web?
The deep web consists of anything not indexed by search engines, while the dark web is a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access.
How can I ensure my safety while on the deep web?
To stay safe:
- Use strong passwords
- Stick to reputable sites
- Don’t disclose personal information
Final Thoughts
Accessing the deep web can be a valuable experience, provided it is done with caution and knowledge. Always prioritize your security and stay informed about the platforms you engage with.
