The Deep Web, oh how mysterious and perplexing it can be for people who aren’t tech-savvy. Many of us have heard of it, but what is it really? Let’s dive in and unravel its enigmatic existence and mysterious uses.
Now, before we start, let’s get one thing clear: The Deep Web is not the same as the Dark Web. That’s a common assumption, but it’s a whole different world down there. The Deep Web is a place where common search engines fear to tread. You can’t just type in a query and hope to find what you’re looking for because you’ll need specialized access and authorization to view its hidden treasures.
What treasures are on the Deep Web, you ask? From medical records, government databases, and academic journals to the taboo world of drug trafficking and black market sales, the Deep Web has it all. It’s the universe of all publicly inaccessible information online. But let’s not forget that it also serves a legitimate purpose. Researchers, journalists, and individuals living in countries with strict censorship laws rely on the Deep Web to access information that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
There’s more to the story, however. The Deep Web is not the only mysterious thing lurking in the digital shadows. The Dark Web is a small subset of the Deep Web, and it’s a place where illegal activities run rampant.
You need special software like Tor to access the DW websites you’ve probably heard about in the news. On that level, there’s an underbelly of internet commerce featuring pharma, weapons, stolen data; it’s a high stakes game being played between cybercriminals and law enforcement agencies.
But don’t be fooled, not all Tor traffic is illegal and a lot of links to dark websites are pretty benign. Many individuals use the network for legitimate purposes, like whistleblowing or communicating in countries with strict censorship laws.
The Deep Web and the Dark Web are two sides of the same coin, and it’s important to recognize their differences.
Now, let’s talk about why the Deep Web exists in the first place. It’s all because of encryption and anonymous communication protocols like Tor. They allow individuals to access the internet without revealing their IP address or location, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track down individuals engaging in illegal activities.
As the internet continues to evolve, the Deep Web will likely continue to shape the way people access and share information online. It’s a mysterious place, full of intrigue and danger, but it also holds great potential for those who seek knowledge and freedom. So go forth, my fellow explorers, and discover the secrets that lie beneath the surface of the internet.
Further reading:
Hatta, Masayuki. “Deep web, dark web, dark net A taxonomy of “hidden” Internet.” Annals of Business Administrative Science 19.6 (2020): 277-292.