What is the Dark Web? – Safely, Types, Benefits, Risks, and More

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is one of the parts of the internet that is password-protected for safety. The complete internet consists of diverse parts like the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web. Firstly, the surface web covers only 10% of the total space area on the internet which embraces all you find by typing terms into a search engine.

The deep web is simple, despite its bombastic name, the place where information is stored that is not easily accessible to anyone. Everything password-protected include here, from subscription services to bank accounts and medical information. This section is what makes up the majority of the web.

What is the Dark Web Used For?

If you have heard about the dark web, you probably have news about illegal transactions. What the dark web is really about, however, is a space for extreme online privacy. One of the things you can do on the dark web is to order illegal drugs to have them shipped to your home. Another thing you can do is read the New York Times or look at Facebook, as both sites have onion versions for the dark web (although you’ll still prompt to subscribe or login). Ultimately, what you do on the dark web depends on your personal needs.

How to Access the Dark Web Safely?

To access the dark web safely when you have a genuine or feasible need to enter the dark web, you must ensure that you’re safe if you choose to use it.

7 Tips for Safe Access to the Dark Web

Trust your intuition: To avoid getting scammed, you’ll want to protect yourself with intelligent behavior on the web. Unfortunately, not all are what they seem. Staying safe requires watching who you talk to and what sites you visit. In addition, you should always take steps to remove yourself from a situation if something doesn’t feel right.

Separate your online image from real life: Your username, email address, “real name”, password, and even your credit card should not use anywhere else in your life. Create new accounts and disposable identifiers for yourself if necessary. Purchase non-identifiable prepaid debit cards before making any purchases. Don’t wear anything that can use to identify you, either online or in real life.

Use active monitoring for financial and identity theft: Many online security services now offer identity protection for your safety. Be sure to take advantage of these tools if they are made available.

It explicitly prevents file downloads from the dark web: Fear of malware infection is significantly higher in the lawless territory that is the dark web. In addition, real-time file scanning from an antivirus program can help you check incoming files if you download them.

Disables ActiveX and Java in any available network settings: These platforms are notorious for research and are exploited by malicious parties. Since you are browsing a web full of such threats, you will want to avoid this risk.

You use a secondary non-administrator local user account for all daily activities: The native version on most computers will have full administrative permissions by default. Most malware must take advantage of this to perform its functions. In this way, you can sluggish down or stop the progress of the exploitation by limiting the account to strict privileges.

Permanently restrict access to your Tor-enabled device: Protect your children or other family members from the risk of encountering something that no one should ever see. Visit the deep web if interested, but don’t let the kids near it.

Types of Threats on the Dark Web

If you consider using the dark web for primary privacy purposes, you might ask yourself, “Is using the dark web dangerous?” Unfortunately, it is a scary place to be. Below are some share threats that you may face during your browsing experiences:

Malicious Software

Malicious software, i.e. malware, is fully active through the dark web. It is often obtainable on some portals to give threat actors the tools for cyber-attacks. However, it also persists throughout the dark web to infect unsuspecting users just like it does on the rest of the net.

The dark web doesn’t have as many social contracts as site providers follow to protect users from the rest of the net. Thus, users can frequently expose to some types of malware, such as:

• Keyloggers
• botnet malware
• Ransomware
• phishing malware.

If you decide to explore any dark website last, you risk being singled out and beleaguered by hackers and more. Endpoint security agendas can detect most malware infections.

Government Oversight

With many Tor-based sites investigated by law enforcement authorities worldwide, there is a clear danger of becoming a government target simply for visiting a dark website.

Scams

Some so-called services, such as professional hitmen, may be scams designed to take advantage of willing customers.

Benefits of Using Dark Websites

There are many aids to using the benefit dark web compared to the regular web, such as:

It is much faster than the regular web. Websites on the dark web do not store any data about you or your activity. You can use it easily without any tracking by administration agencies. It guards your privacy and anonymity very well. All your activities remain hidden and encrypted. You can use it to stay anonymous without fear of repercussions if you want to express yourself freely.

It also saves you money by providing much cheaper products and services. The dark web can also be used for commercial purposes, so it is suitable for small business owners to attract their customers by using various shady websites such as dark net marketplaces, eBay-like marketplaces, etc.

How can I get into the Dark Web?

First, you may be wondering if entering the dark web is illegal. The answer is no”. What may be unlawful is what you do once inside, but that’s up to you.

And with that being said, how can you, intrepid explorer, break into the dark web?

The most popular method is to use the Tor anonymous browser. This browser can be downloaded like Chrome, Firefox or any other, but it works differently.

Tor is short for “The Onion Router”, which refers to how it works. Internet activity using Tor must pass through different layers of networks (like an onion), each of which helps to encrypt the traffic from your computer. Due to these extra layers of security, Tor is slower than regular browsers. Therefore, many Tor users recommend using a VPN simultaneously for maximum privacy.

What Should I do if My Child is using the Dark Web?

• Keep Calm and Gather Context
• They haven’t necessarily done anything illegal
• Understand your reasons for accessing the platform.
• Have an open and honest conversation as you would with the surface web.

Risks are involved with both; therefore, it is essential to help them think critically about the matter.

Recognize the Warning Signs.

People with bad intentions are good at gaining trust and may use this relationship to pressure your child. Help them recognize who to talk to and what information is safe to share.

What are the Risks of the Dark Web for Children?

Lack of regulated content and users

Due to the anonymity of the dark web, it is more difficult for authorities to investigate cases of abuse.

Explicit Content

Children can access sites with indecent images and places that sell drugs and weapons. However, this is also the case for the surface band.

Online Toilet

Sex offenders are more likely to target children on the surface than on the dark web.

However, sex offenders tend to use the dark web to meet online and discuss their strategies for preying on children.

Why do People Use the Dark Web?

• To hide your identity
• People may not want their data collected
• It is popular with civil liberties groups, journalists, and those who support online privacy.
• They don’t want to be found (they could be a criminal or looking to engage in criminal activity)
• They want to access dubious content.

They want to use hidden services; even though TOR is not hidden, the sites and users underneath are hidden under layers of darknet encryption.

• for criminal purposes
• Trading on the black marketing
• Purchase of illegal products, weapons/ drugs)
• Participate in forums and media exchanges for pedophiles’ and terrorists.

What Exactly is the Dark Web?

To understand the Web, you must realize four concepts: Clearnet, Deep web, web and Darknet. The easiest to understand is Clearnet, the Internet as you know it. And also, the pages you find on Google and other search engines that you can access directly from them. For example, Jataka is a Clearnet page since if you google it, you can find it quickly, and if you enter its web address, you have no problem entering it.

How to Enter the Dark Web?

Each Darknet has its entry method, but considering that TOR is the most popular on the Web, that is where we are going to teach you how to enter. You first have to go to the Tor Browser page and click on the icon of your operating system to download it. And also, It is a Firefox-base browser specially created to enter TOR without having to configure anything. You open it, and it automatically connects you.

Conclusion

It is a part of the Net that is indexed by search engines and can only access with specific software. This includes the Tor browser, which the United States Navy originally developed. And also, The web remains used for many drives, including criminal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms trading, and more with illegal drugs.