Our everyday use of the internet accounts for only 4% of it. The remaining 96% is known as the Deep Web, and access to a portion of it, known as the Dark Web, requires specialized tools. Unlike the surface web, which can be easily searched, indexed, and compiled using available search engines, the Dark Web is purposefully hidden and is frequently used for anonymous communication.
Table of Contents
What is the Dark Web?
The Dark Web, also referred to as the darknet, is an unexplored territory of the internet that cannot be accessed by common browsers such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. In the underlying network of the darknet, everything is password protected and requires special browsers to gain access.
When was the Dark Web Created?
The Dark Web was initially developed by the U.S. military in the 1990s to enable secure and anonymous communication over public networks. This gave way to the development of Onion Routing, which eventually evolved into Tor, or The Onion Router Project. Nowadays, while most people use Tor for privacy preservation, many others use it for illegal dealings.
It is important to understand that the Dark Web is not subject to any rules or regulations. This raises the question of whether the Dark Web is illegal. Well, being home to a lot of criminal activities already makes it illegal!
Dark Web vs Deep Web
The table mentioned below lists comprehensive differentiation between the Deep web and the Dark Web:
| Deep Web | Dark Web |
| It is used for legal affairs that require anonymity, such as accessing government documents or scientific records. | It is a place for online criminal and terrorist activities. |
| Its contents are not indexed by regular search engines. | Its content is only available on personal encrypted networks or peer-to-peer configurations. |
| It needs authentication to log in. | It is an overlay of networks that requires specific software, configurations, and authorization to access it. |
| It can be accessed through a valid username and password and via regular search engines. | It can only be accessed with specialized and specified software. |
| It can be accessed by using a VPN. | It can only be accessed by special browsers, such as Tor, and needs precautions to access the data. |
How to Access the Dark Web?
The Dark Web is accessible through a variety of tools, the most common of which is Tor Browser. The following is a step-by-step guide to downloading, installing, and safely using the Tor browser.
How to Access the Dark Web on PC/Laptop?
Downloading And Installing The Tor Browser
Step 1: Visit The Official Tor Project Website
Step 2: Choose Your Operating System
- Choose Windows, Mac, Linux, or Android depending on your operating system.
Step 3: Download The Installer
- To install the most recent Tor Browser version, click the “Download” button.
Step 4: Install The Tor Browser
- After downloading, open the file and complete the installation by following the instructions on your screen.
Step 5: Open The Tor Browser
- After installing the Tor browser, launch it and click “Connect” to connect to the Tor network.
How to Access the Dark Web on Mobile Devices?
With the right tools, mobile phones can also access the Dark Web using Android’s Tor Browser or other iOS apps.
Step 1: Download The Tor Browser For Mobile
- Android users: You can download this from the Google Play Store.
- IPhone users: iPhone users can download Onion Browser from the App Store.
Step 2: Start The App and Connect
- Click on “Connect” to establish a Tor connection with the app.
Step 3: Verify the Connection
- Look up “What is my IP?” to ensure your IP address is hidden.
Step 4: Browse .onion Websites
- Use DuckDuckGo or The Hidden Wiki to conduct a Dark Web search.
Step 5: Enable VPN For More Security
- The combination of a VPN and Tor provides better privacy and security.
How To Use The Tor Browser Safely?
- Never Use Personal Information—Do not use real names, email accounts, or even phone numbers.
- Use a VPN—To add another level of anonymity, connect to a VPN prior to using Tor.
- Disable JavaScript—Some dark web websites exploit JavaScript vulnerabilities.
- Avoid Downloading Files: Files downloaded from the dark web may contain adware or other malicious software.
- Use Only .onion Links—These websites are only accessible through Tor-specific browsers.
What Secrets Are Hidden on the Dark Web?
Just like the ocean hides its deepest, darkest secrets underwater, similarly, the internet hides its notorious secrets in the Dark Web. On an everyday basis, the Dark Web generates US$1,000.00 in transactions. From doing illegal activities to doing some of the most heinous tasks, people use the Dark Web for a host of activities.
Reading the above paragraph must have answered the question, is the Dark Web illegal? Yes, it is, and below are some of the most popular illicit activities on the Dark Web:
- Data breaching
One of the most common illegal activities on the Dark Web is the sale of sensitive information about well-known organizations. Such breached information plays a huge role in disrupting an organization’s reputation. Organizations have to buy the breached data on the Dark Web to safeguard their reputation. In 2017, organizations paid up to US$140 to save their records from violation and misuse.
- Malicious Software
Malicious software, such as malware, affects users on the Dark Web in a similar manner as it does on the rest of the internet. Malware, such as keyloggers, botnet malware, ransomware, and many others, acts as a big threat to data security. Further, the threat of online browsing amplifies if malware enters the user’s endpoint device through the Dark Web.
- Stolen Credit and Debit cards
Just like drugs, the darknet offers a huge market for stolen debit and credit cards. As per the annual report by Gemini Advisory, a cybersecurity firm that tracks underground marketplaces and forums, details of 87 million stolen credit and debit cards on the Dark Web came from the US.
One of the major advantages of using US credit cards is that no verification through mobile is done on the purchase, which easily allows cybercriminals to make purchases. In 2020, around 115 million debit and credit cards were stolen from the US.
- Stolen Bank Details
Similarly, stolen bank details are also readily available on the darknet. Accounts with balances of around $3,000 from Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo are being sold for $300. In comparison, bank login information for accounts belonging to the same banks with balances of up to US$15,000 is sold for between US$200 and US$1,000 on the Dark Web.
Apart from these activities, several other activities take place on the Dark Web. Apparently, trading or manufacturing illegal drugs, including illegally obtained prescription medicines, and financial crimes, such as money laundering and counterfeiting, are some of the other most facilitated trades on the Dark Web.
Hitmen is one of the most popular websites on the dark web. On this site, anyone can pay hitmen to kill a person or a group of people.
The Silk Road was another thing that quickly became popular on the darknet. It was one of the highest-selling drug markets on the Dark Web and was shut down in 2013. Since then, many other players have entered this market.
Dark Web Laws & Ethical Risks: What You Need to Know in 2025
Accessing the Dark Web in 2025 poses unique ethical and legal challenges for users:
Legal Challenges
- Jurisdictional Differences: Some governments actively criminalize the Dark Web, whereas others only regulate certain aspects of it.
- Possession of Illegal Content: Even unintentionally possessing illegal content can result in legal consequences.
- Government Surveillance: Users who visit flagged sites unintentionally risk being monitored by intelligence agencies.
- Privacy Tools: Some governments actively restrict or functionally ban the use of anonymity tools like Tor and VPNs.
Ethical Challenges
- Accessing vs. Participating: Simply visiting the Dark Web isn’t illegal, but hiring services or purchasing goods, especially through illicit means, is unethical.
- Moral Responsibility: Many journalists and whistleblowers actively misuse the Dark Web for illegal dealings while using it as a shield for privacy.
- Security Concerns: When users download unknown files or use hidden services, they risk being hacked and having their data stolen.
Users are urged to be mindful of local laws regarding access to the Dark Web. This ensures that legal boundaries and ethical considerations are not crossed.
Conclusion
Despite its anonymity, the Dark Web poses a serious threat to its users. Once you have decided to use the Dark Web, you should take as many security precautions as possible.
If you want to learn more about cybersecurity and ethical hacking, consider enrolling in Intellipaat’s cybersecurity course to develop and refine your skills.
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