The Dark Web: What Is It?
If you’re reading this, chances are that you found this article using a popular search engine like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Bing. This site is one of the millions of hits that the search engine suggested. Now, what if I tell you that the websites accessible by search engines make up only 10% of the websites they can show? This visible internet is known as the open web or the surface web.
The other 90% makes up what is known as the deep web.
This labyrinthine aspect of the internet contains databases, webpages redesigns, and intranets. They are not readily accessible as they are often behind security walls for various reasons like protecting user privacy and documentation.
Contrary to popular notion, the deep web is not the dark web. The dark web is just part of the deep web. Venture into the dark web and you will find hazardous, illegal, and immoral content and activities. This is where you find your pirated movies, black markets, politically radical forums, and disturbing content. It is not surprising that the dark web is linked to illegal and criminal activities.
But the dark web is not all… well… dark. It is sometimes the only safe haven for whistleblowers, abuse victims, and political dissidents because it provides greater anonymity than the rest of the internet. The dark web’s content then is based on what you want to see.
Simply browsing is not illegal but it can expose you to risks if you just venture in with no advanced computer skills. The most common risk is exposing your computer and your information to malicious software or malware. Malware abounds on the internet from ransomware to phishing malware. While mostly just a nuisance, malware may also be initial programs that can be used to hack your system and everything connected to it.
So if you really need to venture down the dark web, you should consider the following tips to keep your browsing safe.
# 1 Be always smart. Your intuition may be right so you should trust it. Because of anonymity, not everyone is who they are. Watch where you go. Watch who you talk to. Remove yourself from situations that feel dangerous.
#2 Create an online persona that’s detached from your real life. Do not use your personal accounts, your usernames, your mother’s maiden name, your favorite pet’s name, your credit card number. If you can, create throwaway accounts or use unidentifiable debit cards when making transactions.
#3 Avoid file downloads. Malware can be easily inserted with the rest of the file you want. If you can’t avoid it, utilize your antivirus programs to check the file before opening it.
#4 Restrict access. You don’t want your other family members to accidentally stumble on the dark web. Create additional user accounts for your activities.