The World Wide Web is unimaginably large in size. This massive size splits into three parts: the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web. You only require a search engine like Google to access the surface web. But the condition is unique for the deep web. Continue reading this article to know about the deep web, how it works, how to access it, advantages and disadvantages.
What is the Deep Web?
Computer scientist Michael K. Bergman thought up the deep web in 2001 and separated it from the surface web, where openly accessible content exists. The deep web is also known as the hidden web – part of the internet not accessible via standard search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, and Yandex. It includes content and sites including:
- Cloud storage systems
- Fee-for-service (FFS) like Netflix
- Paywalled sites
- Online banking portals
- Private databases
- Company databases
- The dark web
How Deep Web Works?
The deep web works on the same setup as the surface web. The content on the surface web is accessible via software robots known as spiders or crawlers that capture and index it. This system typically scans sites that have .com, .org, .net, or other similar domains. Spiders capture web pages; they follow rooted links to expose other content. When people search for specific content, the results show in a search engine where the content is then willingly available.
However, only 4% of all online content is freely accessible, which makes up the surface web, while the rest is placed away in the deep web. This all means that there is no direct way for people to search the unindexed content. Many sites’ owners use various methods to block spiders and prevent indexing, including.
- CAPTCHAs
- Multiple IP addresses for the same content
- Non-HTML content or data
- Password protection
- Unlinked content
How to Access the Deep Web?
Deep web data is not indexed by search engines, while you can still access it. Well, most people do it all the time, like logging into Gmail, Facebook, or Reuters. These are a few cases of opening data on a deep website.
Open the web browser and enter the URL into the search bar. When the site is open, you will see a bar here; type your email address and password. Now start accessing your private part of the internet.
Your account on the deep website has a lot of data that criminals need. That is why accessing too much deep web data is restricted. However, spam and phishing attacks can come from dark web markets, but users have to download and install something infected from that market to release malware. The dark web itself would not be the cause of such an attack.
How to Stay Safe on Deep Web?
When you enter the deep web, you must stay safe. Here are some safety tips you can follow:
Use Antivirus Software
Antivirus software protects you from malware, spyware, Trojan horses, or other malicious software. Once you activate this software, it scans files your device has from the internet. If the software checks that a file has any danger to your device, it warns you.
Use a VPN
VPN: A virtual private network keeps you safe when browsing the internet. It hides your PC’s IP address and uses confirmed no-logs that clear your online and browsing data. VPN makes it difficult for anyone to determine who you are or where you are surfing from.
Use Strong Passwords to Protect Your Accounts
When you use a strong password, it protects your account. A strong password holds uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special numbers and has twelve characters. These requirements are harder to brute force, making them harmless.
Use Two-factor Authentication
The rising rate of cyber theft has made two-factor authentication more common. When you set it up, you have to authenticate any login into your accounts on your devices. If someone gets your password and tries to access your account, it is still up to you to confirm their login.
Advantage and Disadvantages
Advantages
The deep web offers several benefits, including
Privacy Protection
Deep web prioritizes your anonymity and privacy using encryption and an anonymizing network to protect your online activities from surveillance or tracking.
Security
Deep web uses encryption and authentication protocols to protect sensitive data to improve the protection against cyber threats, like hacking and data breaches.
Access Unindexed Content
The deep web includes unindexed content including academic databases, research repositories, private company intranets, and subscription-based services. All of this is not accessible on the surface web but is helpful for researchers, professionals, and people who have specific interests.
Right of Expression
The deep web also offers free expression and discussion spaces without restriction or surveillance. It is important in regions with strict government control over internet access and content.
Secure Communication
The communication tools of deep web have encrypted and anonymous networks for messaging, file sharing, and association, enhancing privacy and security for users.
Disadvantages
The deep web, often misheard and related to illegal activities, does have some disadvantages as well:
Illegal Activities
The illegal activities on deep web include arms dealing, drug trafficking, and cybercrime. The anonymity enables these activities, making it hard for law enforcement agencies to track down preparators.
Absence of Regulation
This part of the internet mostly works outside the traditional control. So, the absence of regulation affects the explosion of harmful content.
Privacy Concerns
The anonymity also helps the users to protect their privacy and free speech and makes a breeding ground for malicious actors to operate without fear of consequences. It threatens people’s privacy and security as personal data may be bought and sold on the dark web markets.
Risk of Malware and Cyber Attack
Accessing deep web exposes you to the risk of having malware, phishing scams, and other cyber threats. Most of the deep web services work outside of the law; malicious threat actors take advantage of weaknesses to damage people or make money.
FAQs
Q: Is deep web illegal?
No, the deep web is not illegal. It provides anonymity, which is why illegal activities happen there.
Q: What is the main difference between the deep and dark web?
The dark web is a subcategory of the deep web. You can access the deep web with regular browsers; however, web pages on the dark web operate on overlay networks. That is why you need a specialized browser like TOR to access it.
Q: Are the dark web and deep web the same thing?
The dark web is a small section of deep web. The deep web refers to all of the internet that is not accessible or indexed by search engines. However, the dark web has deep websites that are hidden from traditional search engines.
Q: How big is the deep web?
The size of deep web is uncertain, but it is likely 400 times bigger than the surface web.