How The Surface Web, Deep Web, And Dark Web Vary In Content And Accessibility
The dark web and the deep web are also often erroneously used interchangeably. The deep web is what lies underground and isn’t just the content that is considered dark. Many dark web websites contain only information rather than the ability to buy or sell something.
Because these are sensitive and private information, they must be kept secure. The surface web refers to the section of the internet that is accessible through traditional web browsers. The surface web comprises websites indexed by major search engines, such as Google and Bing. It is where you spend most of your time searching and connecting with people. These websites need to have privacy restrictions for a reason, which is why you can’t Google and access somebody’s bank account. These protected pages would be considered part of the deep web because search engines don’t index them, therefore “hiding” them from most of the public.
It is composed of “non-indexed” content that is unreachable by the web crawlers used by Google, Bing, and other search engines to find and link pages. Antimalware and antivirus protections are equally crucial to prevent malicious actors from exploiting you. The dark web is filled with information theft from malware-infected users.
Understanding the Dark Web vs Deep Web
Common examples of surface layer content are google images, maps, YouTube videos, etc. This information remains invisible to search engines like Google for many reasons. It might use anti-robot technologies like CAPTCHAs, store the data in ways that crawlers don’t recognize, or lock the data behind password protection. On the visible web, websites appear in search engines like Google or Bing because they’ve been indexed. Robots called “crawlers” or “spiders” sift through publicly available information and index it so that search engines can show it to you when you search for related keywords or questions.
The terms dark web and deep web are often used interchangeably, but they refer to very different aspects of the internet. Understanding these distinctions is essential for anyone looking to navigate the digital landscape safely and effectively.
Malicious or spoofed domains created by digital threat actors are commonly hidden from Google in the deep web and used to carry out scams or steal access credentials from victims. In addition to being accessed exclusively through specialized software, resources on the dark web are also hidden from search engines. Because of this, the dark web is technically a subset of the weep web that belongs to the category of software-gated pages. At the moment, the Dark Web is defined as a layer of information and pages that you can only get access to through so-called “overlay networks”, which run on top of the normal internet and obscure access. You need special software to access the Dark Web because a lot of it is encrypted, and most of the dark web pages are hosted anonymously.
Dark web sites use encryption software so their visitors and owners can remain anonymous—it’s why the dark web is home to so much illegal activity. Over 2.7 million active users browse the dark web every day, and many do so for legitimate reasons. It also includes paywalled services such as video on demand and some online magazines and newspapers. Dark web browsers such as Tor are designed to offer anonymity and access to hidden services not listed by standard search engines. Surfing the dark web is usually slower than the regular internet, with websites having limited functionality.
- This is where the confusion between the deep web and dark web arises for most people.
- Search engines are designed for consumers, not investigators, and as a result search engines bring back results they think the user wants to see.
- The dark web is non-indexed web pages on the internet that have been purposefully and explicitly hidden from regular search engines, requiring a specific search engine to be accessed.
- The internet is seemingly endless and nobody knows its exact size for sure.
- There are also theories that suggest the dark web was created to better monitor criminal environments.
- To understand the deep and dark web, you first need to understand the surface web.
A doctor’s office with an online patient portal is using the Deep Web. This part of the internet is for anyone who wants the convenience of accessing their information online, while also enjoying the security of knowing only they can see it. Once a threat is detected, our Dark Ops team is there to augment your response with real-time intelligence, bad actor attribution and engagement, breach containment, and IP recovery. Your security team can use dark web detections from ZeroFox to better understand where your attack surface is vulnerable and the source of the data. Finally, you can take steps to mitigate data leakage by implementing security controls like securing vulnerable hosts or notifying users to change their passwords.
What is the Deep Web?
The deep web comprises all parts of the internet that are not indexed by standard search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. This includes:
- Databases that require specific queries
- Private corporate sites and intranets
- Medical records
- Legal documents
- Academic databases
Although it makes up a significant portion of the internet, the deep web is generally safe and legal. It is simply inaccessible through standard web search methods.
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a small part of the deep web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through traditional web browsers. Accessing the dark web usually requires special software such as Tor, which anonymizes users’ identities. Major characteristics include:
- Content is often illegal or illicit, including black markets
- High levels of anonymity for users and operators
- Forums for discussing illegal activities
- Availability of hacked data and malware services
The dark web is notorious for its association with illegal activities, but not everything on this segment is illicit. There are also forums and websites focused on privacy, whistleblowing, and free speech.
Key Differences: Dark Web vs Deep Web
Understanding the differences between dark web and deep web can help users decide how to approach their online activities. Here is a comparison:
| Aspect | Deep Web | Dark Web |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Accessible via standard browsers, but requires specific credentials. | Requires specialized software like Tor for access. |
| Content Type | Mostly benign and includes legitimate data. | Often illegal, but includes some legitimate content. |
| Searchability | Not indexed by traditional search engines. | Almost entirely hidden from regular search engines. |
| Anonymity | Less emphasis on anonymity. | High level of user anonymity is a key feature. |
Potential Risks Associated with the Dark Web
While exploring the dark web can unveil insightful information, several risks are involved:
- Exposure to illegal activities leading to potential legal consequences
- Increased exposure to cybersecurity threats, such as hacking
- Encountering harmful content that may be disturbing
- Risk of scams and fraudulent activities
FAQs about Dark Web vs Deep Web
Is the deep web safe to use?
Yes, the deep web is generally safe. Most of its content is benign and used for legitimate purposes.
How can I access the dark web?
Accessing the dark web requires specific software like Tor. Users should ensure they understand the risks involved before attempting to access it.
Can I be tracked on the dark web?
While the dark web provides a degree of anonymity, it is technically possible for skilled authorities to track users through various means, such as IP tracking or exploiting software vulnerabilities.
Knowing the differences between the dark web and the deep web is crucial for making informed decisions when navigating the internet. Stay cautious and informed to ensure a safe online experience.
