How much of the Internet is the dark web?
The dark web is a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden, requiring a specific browser—Tor—to access, as explained below. No one really knows the size of the dark web, but most estimates put it at around 5% of the total internet.
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, but it also has legitimate uses. So, how do people get on the dark web?
The Deep Web Is More Accessible
Using a Dark Web Browser
As an average internet user, you won’t come across the dark web since you need a special browser to access it. It’s certainly not something you need to stress about in your day-to-day browsing, and you shouldn’t let it scare you off the internet. Unless you actively seek it out, you’ll likely never have any contact with the dark web in your lifetime. Despite what the name implies, it isn’t illegal to access the dark web.
What emails are not safe to open?
- THE AUTHORITY EMAIL. The most common phishing email is impersonating your bank, the IRS or some authority figure.
- THE “ACCOUNT VERIFICATION” EMAIL.
- THE TYPO EMAIL.
- THE ZIP FILE, PDF OR INVOICE ATTACHMENT.
To access the dark web, you need a special browser that can handle the unique security and privacy challenges of the dark web. The most popular dark web browser is the Tor browser, which is a modified version of the Firefox browser. The Tor browser routes your internet connection through a series of volunteer-run servers, which makes it difficult for anyone to track your online activity. Other dark web browsers include I2P and Freenet.
Accessing Popular Websites
If you have trouble coming up with unique, strong, and complex passwords yourself, our Password Generator can lend you a helping hand. Make purchases with your debit card, and bank from almost anywhere by phone, tablet or computer and more than 15,000 ATMs and more than 4,700 branches. Like other parts of the internet, the dark web has scams and third parties trying to steal your data through phishing. You can download our full special report as a PDF in magazine format. Tor is relatively safer than open access, but it can get you traced. So it is better to use the tor-over-VPN technique to avoid future problems.
Installing the Tor Browser
Even commerce sites that may have existed for a year or more can suddenly disappear if the owners decide to cash in and flee with the escrow money they’re holding on behalf of customers. But there’s even more you can do to protect your personal information. Here are a few reasons why people rely on these varying parts of the web. Lifehacker supports Group Black and its mission to increasegreaterdiversity in media voices and media ownerships. Depending on what you intend to do on the Dark Web, some users recommend placing tape over your laptop’s webcam to prevent prying eyes watching you.
Is There A Dark Web Search Engine?
Installing the Tor browser is a straightforward process. You can download it from the official Tor Project website and follow the installation instructions. Once installed, you can use the Tor browser just like any other browser, but with the added privacy and security features that are essential for accessing the dark web.
Finding Dark Web Sites
Once you have a dark web browser installed, the next challenge is finding dark web sites. Unlike the regular web, dark web sites do not appear in search engines, and their addresses are not easy to remember. Dark web sites are typically identified by their .onion domain, which is a special top-level domain that is only accessible through the Tor network.
What are the different types of dark web?
A: The three types of Dark Web are the Deep Web, the Darknet, and the Surface Web. The Deep Web is the largest, containing information that can't be found through regular search engines. The Darknet is a smaller part of the Dark Web that is designed for people to communicate anonymously.
Using a Dark Web Search Engine
Some portions of the deep web allow users to overcome legal restrictions to access content that is not lawfully available in their geographical location. It is even possible to illegally download movies, music, and other digital media without paying for it. Naturally, these lawless segments of the deep web are rife with malware and other cyber threats. These pages are mostly obscured from the surface web to secure user data and privacy rather than any nefarious purpose. The deep web is defined as the internet section that is not indexed by web crawlers. The dark web, on the other hand, is defined as a subsegment of the deep web that can be accessed only with special tools.
One way to find dark web sites is to use a dark web search engine. There are several dark web search engines available, such as Ahmia, Candle, and not Evil. These search engines work similarly to regular search engines, but they only index .onion sites. However, the results may not be as reliable as those from regular search engines, and some sites may be missing or outdated.
They could even go away altogether due to cybersecurity researchers or police investigations, making it crucial that banks undertake an improved monitoring program for activity on this platform. Scammers use this data for malicious activities like identity theft and account takeover. Illicit activities on the Dark Web span a broad spectrum, from selling stolen personal data to arms trafficking and drug dealing. Browsers like Tor, an open-source and free software, allow people to access dark websites where these goods are available, like a digital marketplace. These websites may look similar to any other surface or deep website you’d encounter. As mentioned, the deep web and the dark web sometimes get confused.
- This makes it susceptible to “honey potting,” a ploy that authorities use to approach users.
- The Tor browser is the most popular tool, though you can also use Freenet, ZeroNet, I2P, and Riffle.
- You’ll also only want to visit encrypted webpages when browsing online — keep an eye out for URLs beginning with HTTPS rather than HTTP.
- Onion routing uses multi-layered encryption to create anonymous communication over a computer network.
Following Links from Trusted Sources
Another way to find dark web sites is to follow links from trusted sources. There are several dark web forums and communities where users share links to their favorite sites. These links are often posted in threads dedicated to specific topics, such as hidden wikis, marketplaces, or discussion forums. However, you should be cautious when following links from unknown sources, as some may lead to malicious sites or scams.
Staying Safe on the Dark Web
Accessing the dark web can be risky, and you should take precautions to protect yourself. Here are some tips for staying safe on the dark web:
- Use a reputable dark web browser: Stick to well-known dark web browsers like Tor, I2P, or Freenet.
- Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) can add an extra layer of security by encrypting your internet connection and masking your IP address.
- Use strong passwords: Use unique and complex passwords for each site, and consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
- Be cautious: Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown files. Be wary of scams and phishing attempts.
- Respect privacy: Do not share personal information or reveal your identity.
It varies from region to region, with a different definition of illegal content. The dark web plays a role in all the data breaches reported in the news. This is because cybercriminals like identity thieves buy, sell, and trade this information in dark web marketplaces and forums.
By following these tips, you can minimize the risks of accessing the dark web and enjoy its unique content and services.
How did my email and password get on the dark web?
If your email or PII is for sale on the Dark Web, there's a good chance that scammers acquired it via a phishing email or malware infection. Antivirus and anti-malware software will discover and isolate the potential malware or spyware so that your future accounts aren't compromised.
