What is the difference between the deep web and the dark web?
The deep web and the dark web are often used interchangeably, but they are two distinct concepts.
The deep web refers to the part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines. This includes things like databases, email, and private websites. The deep web is much larger than the surface web, which is the part of the internet that is indexed by search engines.
The dark web is a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden from search engines and requires specialized software to access. The dark web is often used for illegal activities, such as drug trafficking and child pornography. However, it is also used for legitimate purposes, such as whistleblowing and activism.
To access the dark web, you need to download and install a specialized browser, such as Tor. Tor encrypts your traffic and routes it through a series of nodes, making it difficult to track the source or destination of the traffic.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between the deep web and the dark web:
Characteristic | Deep web | Dark web |
---|---|---|
Size | Much larger than the surface web | Much smaller than the surface web |
Accessibility | Can be accessed with a standard web browser | Requires specialized software to access |
Purpose | Includes databases, email, and private websites | Often used for illegal activities, but also used for legitimate purposes such as whistleblowing and activism |