Many people have heard of the deep web and might even know some of its uses, but many are still in the dark when it comes to understanding how the deep web works and why they should care about it. So what exactly is the deep web? The deep web or darknet (a nickname some use) includes all of the content on the internet that can’t be accessed through popular search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo!
Part 1 – Search Engines
Search engines are part of what’s known as The Surface Web. When you type in a query, your results typically come from search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. However, there’s another section of the web that search engines can’t index. This is known as The Deep Web .
Part 2 – Darknets
It does not only include what you can see. Darknets are networks that exist on top of the internet, but do not have a publicly available address. These networks are often used for illegal activities, such as selling drugs, distributing child pornography, or conducting illicit business transactions. As such, they are less likely to be indexed by search engines like Google or Bing. Accessing these sites typically requires special software and configurations in order to get around firewalls that block access to them. Users also need to use encryption tools such as TOR or PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) in order to keep their identity hidden while surfing through darknets.
Part 3 – Tor browser
The deep web exists because of sites that require a certain level of security. It requires encryption on websites, where your identity isn’t used but something else to identify you to services. Tor Browser is a very special type of browser which allows people to browse through any website without worrying about their anonymity or what other people will know about them through their IP address. With Tor Browser, users can go to Facebook, for example, without worrying about someone tracking them back via their IP address or knowing who they are, even though they’re using Tor.
Part 4 – Examples of how the Deep Web can be dangerous
There have been reports of suicide, sexually explicit content and a whole lot more. And while there are all sorts of disturbing things lurking on The Dark Web, what’s most alarming are those who control it: Pedophiles, traffickers, terrorists and cybercriminals looking to exploit our collective vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, due to its nature (it’s anonymous), almost nothing can be done about it. You can never be sure when you’re interacting with a real person or one using software that creates an avatar for them; many times you don’t even know where they are located in real life. Plus, credit card information can easily be masked or falsified.
Part 5 – How to stay safe while using it
If you’re going to venture into the deep web for anything more than a quick glance, you need to be aware of how easy it is to get hacked. Once your device connects to Tor or another anonymizing service, your IP address, along with all of your browsing activity, becomes completely unencrypted. That means that while you’re online looking at secret government documents in Russia (or whatever else), every hacker who wants to spy on you also has access. To avoid that fate: Be wary of anyonion website before visiting it—just because something has a name ending in it . Onion doesn’t mean it’s secure; use HTTPS Everywhere when accessing HTTPS-enabled sites; and make sure all installed security software is updated.
Part 6 – Other uses for the Deep Web
Criminals, whistleblowers, hackers: Having knowledge of how to navigate the deep web can be incredibly useful. For instance, information on it cannot be lost in a server crash like information stored on a website can. This means that if you're worried about something as trivial as losing your Facebook photos or email account going down when you move to a new computer, that concern is gone with deep web sites because they are not maintained by any one entity. There's also access to illegally traded products like drugs or weapons which are otherwise difficult to procure (at least legally). It's sometimes referred to as the dark net, though there isn't really an agreed-upon distinction between these two terms.
Part 7 – Conclusion
Welcome to The Future of Work. It’s very likely that your job will change several times over your lifetime. If you accept that fact, it becomes much easier to stay relevant in an ever-changing workplace. Being prepared for change makes you an invaluable employee who won’t fall behind with each new technological advance or management style.