Cryptopedia
Darknet
The Internet has a multi-layered structure. The surface layer is called the “Surface Web”, which can be browsed and accessed through normal search engines. The layer hidden under the Surface Web is called the “Deep Web”. The content of the Deep Web is hidden behind HTTP forms and cannot be accessed by regular search engines. Examples of Deep Web are payment websites and online banking websites. While “Dark Web” is a subset of the Deep Web. It applies special encryption technology to deliberately hide specific Internet information, and it requires special programs or authorization to access.
Characteristics of Deep Web
1. Cannot be Searched Directly
The content of Deep Web can only be accessed when visitors send request. Some of it is restricted to access and some areas don’t even link to the external network. Under such circumstances, crawler software is unable to obtain the content in the Deep Web and cannot retrieve it. However, currently, there are commercial search engines that can use user request pages (such as registration requests) to crawl and access Deep Web resources.
2. Informative and More Professional Content
Since visiting the Deep Web usually requires visitors’ requests, most online paid knowledge or data of particular fields is stored in Deep Web, which as a result has a more informative and complex network compared to the Surface Web.
Characteristics of Dark Web:
1. Special Access Method
To access websites on the Dark Web, it requires special browsers or tools, such as the Onion Router (Tor), Invisible Web Project (I2P), etc. This software is not only for hackers; regular users can also visit the Dark Web by downloading the software and using it.
2. Anonymity
Software such as Tor applies encryption technology to send user data via a large number of intermediate servers. It also applies distributed, multi-node data access methods to multi-encrypt the communication information and ensure user anonymity. Websites are unable to track the visitors’ information, including their locations and IPs, etc., while the visitors also have no access to the websites’ information.
3. Elusive Money Transactions
Due to its special access method and its anonymity, Dark Web has become a hotbed for various types of criminal activities, such as sex trafficking, firearm trading, and hiring of hitmen. Furthermore, the main payment methods for these illegal transactions are done using Bitcoin and other common cryptocurrencies, making it easier to hide one's identity and avoid legal liabilities.
4. Ideology Diversity
The Dark Web consists of a community of people that believe in different, non-mainstream ideologies, such as liberalism, anarchism, sometimes even terrorism.
In sum, technology itself is neither good nor evil. Whether human beings can benefit from it or not depends on the attitude and purpose of how we apply it. Deep Web and Dark Web protect the user privacy and provide ample resources in professional fields, but criminals also use it. When using the Internet and encryption technology, users should always comply with laws and regulations in the corresponding regions.
Characteristics of Deep Web
1. Cannot be Searched Directly
The content of Deep Web can only be accessed when visitors send request. Some of it is restricted to access and some areas don’t even link to the external network. Under such circumstances, crawler software is unable to obtain the content in the Deep Web and cannot retrieve it. However, currently, there are commercial search engines that can use user request pages (such as registration requests) to crawl and access Deep Web resources.
2. Informative and More Professional Content
Since visiting the Deep Web usually requires visitors’ requests, most online paid knowledge or data of particular fields is stored in Deep Web, which as a result has a more informative and complex network compared to the Surface Web.
Characteristics of Dark Web:
1. Special Access Method
To access websites on the Dark Web, it requires special browsers or tools, such as the Onion Router (Tor), Invisible Web Project (I2P), etc. This software is not only for hackers; regular users can also visit the Dark Web by downloading the software and using it.
2. Anonymity
Software such as Tor applies encryption technology to send user data via a large number of intermediate servers. It also applies distributed, multi-node data access methods to multi-encrypt the communication information and ensure user anonymity. Websites are unable to track the visitors’ information, including their locations and IPs, etc., while the visitors also have no access to the websites’ information.
3. Elusive Money Transactions
Due to its special access method and its anonymity, Dark Web has become a hotbed for various types of criminal activities, such as sex trafficking, firearm trading, and hiring of hitmen. Furthermore, the main payment methods for these illegal transactions are done using Bitcoin and other common cryptocurrencies, making it easier to hide one's identity and avoid legal liabilities.
4. Ideology Diversity
The Dark Web consists of a community of people that believe in different, non-mainstream ideologies, such as liberalism, anarchism, sometimes even terrorism.
In sum, technology itself is neither good nor evil. Whether human beings can benefit from it or not depends on the attitude and purpose of how we apply it. Deep Web and Dark Web protect the user privacy and provide ample resources in professional fields, but criminals also use it. When using the Internet and encryption technology, users should always comply with laws and regulations in the corresponding regions.
