What is Dark Web and what all is there in this dark side of Internet?

Do you know that over 90% of cybercrimes across the world occur through the dark web? From human trafficking to the sale of illegal drugs, firearms and credit card details, everything is available in this 'dark' corner of the internet. According to a report, there were over 4,65,000 incidents of cyberattacks in 2020 and as a result of the growing number of data breaches, personal data has become easier to buy on the dark web in recent years.

Let's have a closer look at the dark web.

What is dark web?

The Internet has seen many developments since it has come into existence and the dark web, which is made up of hidden sites, is also a part of that evolution. Sites on the dark web operate using encryption software that prevents unauthorized access to digital information.

In simpler words, this encryption software lets dark web users stay anonymous and hide their locations. This would now give you a hint why the Dark Web is known to be the home to several illegal and criminal activities. 

How to access dark web?

An Internet user can only use the dark web with the help of search engines designed specifically to unearth these hidden sites and one can't access it through standard web browsers like Google Chrome, Yahoo and Mozilla Firefox.

The Dark Web uses what is called 'The Onion Router' (TOR), which is a hidden service protocol and creates a virtual private network (VPN). The 'TOR' servers are undetectable from search engines and let users remain anonymous. 

While the website addresses on the surface web, the part of the web that most people use, end with .com, .in, .org or .gov, the dark web addresses end with .onion. It is noteworthy that some dark web markets claim to have up to 10 lakh visitors each month.

What all is available on dark web?

It is said that "Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master" and it stands true in the context of today's Internet usage. While food, clothes, medicines, books and several other such items are easily available on the surface web, the dark web is used to get hold of illegal drugs, firearms, credit and debit card numbers, child pornography, and among other things.

As per a 2016 report by Daniel Moore and Thomas Rid, researchers at King's College in London, dark web sites are most commonly used for crime. The researchers looked at 5,205 live websites, of which, some 1,547 hosted illicit material.

Since the dark web is a part of the Internet that lies beyond the reach of search engines, the visitors in this black market mainly pay using cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin to stay anonymous.

Is accessing dark web illegal?

Surfing the dark web won't land you in jail but buying illegal drugs, firearms or downloading child pornography is forbidden by law.

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