THE DARK WEB

The Dark Web is the portion of the Internet that can only be accessed through specific software. Most casual surfing of the Web takes place on a small piece (5-10%) of the total World Wide Web; this is sometimes called the Surface Web. The other 90-95%—the Deep Web—is basically all the content not indexed by search engines. The Dark Web, by turn, is a fractional part of the larger Deep Web, and requires special browsers to view and navigate.

Surface Web vs Deep Web vs Dark Web

Surface web: Surface web is the portion of the World Wide Web that is readily available to the general public and searchable with standard web search engines. It is the opposite of the deep web. The section of the internet that is being indexed by search engines is known as the “Surface Web” or “Visible Web”.
Deep web: Deep web is part of the World Wide Web whose contents are not indexed by standard web search engines for any reason. The content of the deep web is hidden behind HTTP forms, and includes many common uses such as web mail, online banking, and services that users must pay for, and which is protected by a paywall, such as video on demand, some online magazines and newspapers, and many more. Content of the deep web can be located and accessed by a direct URL or IP address, and may require password or other security access past the public website page.
Dark web: The Dark Web is defined as a layer of information and pages that you can only get access to through so-called "overlay networks", which run on top of the normal internet and obscure access. You need special software to access the Dark Web because a lot of it is encrypted, and most of the dark web pages are hosted anonymously.

Dark web: house of illegal activities

Crimes with covert transactions — whether they involve drugs, money, or even human beings — are often committed through the dark web. Here are some examples of dark web crimes:

Murder for hire: A site known as Besa Mafia (and others like it) was used as a marketplace for contract killings.
Blackmail/extortion: One scam involved threats of releasing sensitive information or compromising photos unless the victim paid a stated amount in bitcoin.
Illegal drug sales: every type of drugs sale on dark web like cocaine,heroin,methcathinoneand other rare drugs which is commonly found.

Illegal arms sales: Tens of thousands of dollars' worth of guns are illegally sold monthly on the dark web, according to estimates.
Sex trafficking: In 2015, the New York County District Attorney's Office used an experimental internet search tool to catch and prosecute the leader of a sex trafficking ring.
Terrorism: The Islamic State group and other terrorist organizations use the dark web for recruitment and planning attacks.
Child pornography: An estimated 144,000 British users were using the dark web to access child pornography in 2018.

The Red Room:There are numerous illicit activities related to the dark web, an underground network of websites that is not easily accessible to the general public. Among the many illicit activities that take place on the dark web, one of the most disturbing is the existence of “red rooms.”

Red rooms are said to be websites where users can watch live streams of people being tortured and murdered in real-time. These rooms have gained a lot of attention and infamy in recent years, with many rumours and myths circulating about their existence and operation. While some people believe that red rooms are nothing more than urban legends, others claim to have witnessed them first-hand.

How to access the dark web

Connecting to the dark web requires a few more things than just a computer and internet access. Accessing the dark web requires a special browser and the use of a virtual private network (VPN) to keep your online activity private and secure. While the Tor browser is the most widely used method of accessing the dark web, other communications platforms like Signal can also be used.

Tor users connect to the dark web in two ways:

Bridge: A bridge is a private server in the Tor network that can provide access for blocked clients, often in combination with pluggable transports, that registers itself with the bridge authority. This method of connection is often chosen in countries that regulate or suppress internet access. The three countries from which users most frequently connect to Tor this way are Iran, Russia and the United States.

Relay: A relay is a publicly listed server in the Tor network that forwards traffic on behalf of clients and registers itself with the directory authorities. This is the most common way for someone to connect to Tor.

Get a reliable VPN

When it comes to accessing the dark web, getting a reliable virtual private network (VPN) is crucial. A VPN creates a secure and private connection between your device and the internet. It encrypts your traffic, making it nearly impossible for anyone to intercept or monitor your online activity.

When selecting a VPN, look for features like a strict no-logging policy, high-speed connections and a large number of servers in various locations around the world. It’s also important to check the VPN’s compatibility with the Tor browser, as some VPNs may interfere with Tor’s ability to connect to the dark web.

Remember that a VPN is not a guarantee of absolute anonymity and security. It’s still important to follow other safety precautions when accessing the dark web, such as using the Tor browser and avoiding suspicious links and downloads. However, using a reliable VPN can significantly increase your online security and privacy while accessing the dark web.

Download the Tor browser

Most users choose to download the Tor browser from the official Tor Project website. The Tor browser is available for Windows, Mac and Linux, and is easy to install. Once you have downloaded and installed the browser you need to connect to the Tor network. The Tor browser uses the Tor network to bounce your traffic through multiple servers around the world, making it virtually impossible for anyone to track your activity.

Connecting to the Tor network can take a few minutes since the Tor browser needs to set up a secure connection to the network. Once you are connected, you will be able to access the dark web.

Access dark web pages

To access dark web pages, you need to enter the URL into the Tor browser. Business on the dark web is primarily conducted through dark web forums and marketplaces. Silk Road, AlphaBay and Hydra are examples of dark web marketplaces that were once thriving but have since been shut down by authorities. Keep in mind that the dark web is not regulated, and there is no guarantee that the sites you visit are safe or legitimate. Use caution when accessing dark web pages and never give out personal information or download anything suspicious.

If you are looking for a search engine to use on the dark web, consider using Duck Duck Go. Unlike other search engines, Duck Duck Go does not track your activity or store your personal information. It is a great tool for finding dark web pages and staying safe while doing it.

Is The Dark Web safe?

The dark web can certainly be dangerous — with no regulation, it’s a riskier place to hang out than the surface web. Malware and scams are scattered like landmines around the dark web. And with many unfamiliar looking sites on the dark web, it’s harder to distinguish safe websites from shady ones, and easier to fall victim.Regular dark web visitors know that it’s possible to exploit the sketchy reputation of the space and the services offered. And though some dark web marketplaces offer user reviews, not all do. Lack of regulation by authorities or other users makes it easy for cybercriminals to carry out scams.