The dark web, a mysterious and often misunderstood corner of the internet, is a hidden realm that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It is a place where anonymity reigns supreme, and illicit activities thrive. But what exactly can be found on the dark web?
What is on the Dark Web?
Is The Dark Web Safe?
We reported on Mr. Cooper—one of the nation’s largest mortgage providers—a month ago. Mr. Cooper was featured as they dealt with the throws of a cybersecurity event. This week caps off our year of cyber breaches; in this week alone, we saw millions of records stolen, targeted health providers, mortgage servicers crumble, and the return of a year-old breach. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is a non-profit organization that minimizes and mitigates the risks of identity threats. The Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO) is a privately owned insurance group with 70 branches in the US.
The dark web is home to a myriad of questionable activities and content. Some of the things you may find on the dark web include:
Talking To Young People About The Dark Web
- Illegal Drugs: One of the most well-known aspects of the dark web is its drug marketplaces, where various substances are bought and sold.
- Stolen Data: Personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and login credentials can be purchased on the dark web.
- Weapons: There are illicit arms dealers on the dark web offering a variety of weapons for sale.
- Hacking Services: Individuals offering hacking services, from simple email hacks to more sophisticated cyber attacks, can be found on the dark web.
Being in the company of drug traffickers and criminals, you risk landing in legal trouble. Also, you risk infecting your device with viruses by visiting some websites on the dark web. Further, you are easily vulnerable to hacking and losing your confidential information. If you must visit the dark web, make sure you install and run robust security software on your computer and devices to help ensure the privacy and security of your data.
However, it is challenging to measure how widespread the dark web is due to its decentralized and obscure nature. While the deep web is chiefly used for legitimate day-to-day online activities, the dark web is mainly anonymous and known as a haven for conducting illegal transactions. While strong encryption, VPNs, proxy servers, and hidden web addresses can all contribute to a more anonymized experience, there is no singular system available that is completely private and secure. If you want to access the Tor network on your iPhone or iPad, you can use the Onion Browser app. The mobile app uses DuckDuckGo as its default search engine and is supported by the Orbit framework to provide secure access to the Tor network. First — and this is strongly recommended — you should install a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Learn More About The Dark Web And Identity Theft
FAQs About the Dark Web
Do I have to pay for Tor?
No, Tor Browser is an open source software and it is free. Any browser forcing you to pay and is claiming to be Tor Browser is fake. To make sure you are downloading the right Tor Browser visit our download page.
Is The Dark Net A Playground For Criminals?
Here are some frequently asked questions about the dark web:
What is illegal to view on the dark web?
It is not illegal to visit the dark web. But you can face criminal charges if you use the dark web to sell or purchase illegal firearms, drugs, pornography, stolen passwords, hacked credit card account numbers, or other items.
- Is it illegal to access the dark web?
- Can I browse the dark web safely?
- How can law enforcement track activity on the dark web?
Accessing the dark web itself is not illegal, but engaging in illegal activities on the dark web is against the law.
The first thing people think of when they consider the dark web is the criminal activity that takes place. However, the dark web is really a place of extreme online privacy, which can be used in a number of ways and for a variety of reasons. In fact, this is the origin of the myth that 96% of the Internet is the “dark web”. In reality, the dark web is significantly smaller than both the deep web and the open web. The deep web is actually benign and includes everything from a blog post that is saved as a draft, to the pages you access when you bank online.
While it is possible to browse the dark web safely, it is important to use precautions such as using a secure VPN and Tor browser to protect your identity.
Law enforcement agencies use various techniques to track down criminals on the dark web, including monitoring online forums and performing undercover operations.
Overall, the dark web is a complex and often dangerous place that should be approached with caution. While there are legitimate uses for the dark web, it is important to be aware of the risks involved in exploring this hidden realm of the internet.
- Owenson acknowledges Tor has legitimate uses for privacy and circumventing censorship; however, his research suggests the vast majority of activity is criminal in nature.
- Containing malware in a virtual environment is much easier than in locally installed Windows hence the need to install VMs when accessing the dark web.
- Another recent example of the dark web’s use for illegal activities is the WannaCry ransomware attack.
- There are several Dark Web search engines to choose from in the wild, though they don’t always offer accurate or up-to-date results.
How do I deep search on Google?
To deep search on Google: use quotes for exact phrases, use a minus sign to exclude words, type "site:" for specific websites, use tilde (~) for synonyms, and * for unknown words. "filetype:" finds specific file types.