Maybe you’ve come across the terms “dark web” and “deep web” before. Many people don’t know exactly what these words mean and only draw their knowledge from popular media that portray the dark web as a creepy online place where bad things happen. It’s true that this unregulated part of the web houses some of the most obscure parts of the internet, such as illegal market places where weapons and drugs can be bought anonymously. But the dark web is much more than that.
Would you like to know more about this part of the internet? The articles below will tell you everything you need to know about the deep web and the dark web, from basic explanations and definitions to step-by-step guides on how to access the dark web and the best sites to visit on this hidden section of the internet.
The Dark Web and the Deep Web
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that you can only access through specific browsers. Its websites don’t show up on Google, and the content on it is mostly unregulated, meaning content doesn’t get censored or taken down as often as it would on the regular, “surface” web.
The dark web is often thought of as an online market for criminals, offering all sorts of illegal goods. While there are websites on the dark web that function as marketplaces, the dark web also holds all sorts of different content. In many ways, it even helps protect people’s online freedom and privacy.
For example, the dark web plays a crucial part in making freedom of speech and expression possible; whistleblowers and critical journalists in dictatorial regimes use the dark web to communicate safely and anonymously. The dark web also helps people bypass the censorship and online control occurring in certain countries.
You might be wondering where the “deep web” fits in all of this. Well, you’re probably browsing the deep web more often than you think! The deep web refers to every page on the dark web, plus any pages that don’t show up in Google. Think of the password-protected portals provided by your university, for example. Clearly, the deep web is not all that dangerous or secretive, after all!