The Internet has evolved over the years. It’s not as it used to be even just 20 years ago. Now, there are over 100 million active websites, and over a billion people use them daily. We have not explored the internet at all and there are many hidden and dark sides of this place that are away from the general public. Today, we are going to discuss one such topic which is the Dark web.
The dark web has always fascinated a lot of people due to its name obviously but for those who know what happens on the dark web, it fascinates them even more. In this article, we will tell you everything about the dark web that you want to know including how to operate it safely.
Contents
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a part of the internet or moreover, it is a part of the deep web that is not indexed by search engines, and its contents cannot be accessed using standard web browsers like Chrome or Firefox. History says that the Dark web was first introduced by the US military to share files and other documents secretly over the internet but away from the mainstream internet. For anyone to access the dark web, a specific type of client is required such as a browser that specializes in operating such sites. Tor and Freenet are the popular browsers to access websites on the Dark Web.
The dark Web is really infamous for illegal activities including buying/selling illegal substances, Fake IDs, Credit card details, and other personal details of the users that could be worth millions. if you want more information on the worth of your data then ExpressVPN reveals the complete cost in the article published on their website.
Even though the dark web is infamous for getting used to conducting illegal activities, there are also some positive changes that this hidden internet service brings us. For example, bitcoin was the first currency to be used as an official currency on many of the dark net web services.
Differences between Surface and Dark Web
The internet is a big space and anything that includes the transfer of data from one device to another can be a part of the internet. However, based on the type of service being used, internet activities can be divided into two major groups. One is the surface web and the other is the Deep web.
The surface web is a normal internet that we can access using normal search engines and browsers. However, it is just a very small part of the internet. All other internet services that do not involve the activities of the surface web come under deep web technology. the dark web is also a part of the deep web that is hidden from view and operates outside the boundaries of the regulations
How to Access the Dark Web?
As said earlier, the Dark web is not accessible using a traditional method of accessing the internet such as an internet browser, Accessing the dark web requires specialized software that can navigate through layers of encryption and anonymity. The most popular software used to access the dark web is Tor (The Onion Router), a free and open-source software that encrypts users.
The Tor browser uses multiple layers of security by routing your connection though different locations before reaching the servers that you want to access. This way, no website on the dark web can trace back to your original IP address easily.
How to use Dark Web Safely?
If you have already decided to use the dark web for educational or entertainment purposes, it is important to know the safety precautions before heading to any of the .onion websites. You can start using the Dark web safely with the help of secure browsers such as Tor and by using VPN (Virtual Private Network to ensure further security and anonymity.
Conclusion
The Dark web can be useful for some people who understand its usage and risks associated with it. However, for a normal person, it can be harmful, and staying away from it can help you to get rid of most of the risks. A user should be aware of all the potential risks and ensure safety before proceeding further.
