The Dark Web: An Introduction

Have you come across the term, dark web, recently? As a business, you might have heard that you need to keep your data safe from the dark web, but do you what it is? Read our introduction to dark websites here. So, what is the dark web anyway? Read on to find out…

The Surface Web, The Deep Web and Then Dark Web

Essentially, the internet can be categorized into 3 parts.

• The surface web, which includes your ‘regular’ websites–the kinds that just show up on web searches. For example, you type, Dog Videos and links to a bunch of dog videos on YouTube shows up. YouTube, in this case, is an example of the surface web.
• The deep web, which shows up in web searches, but requires you to log in to view specific content. For example, your internet banking page or your Netflix subscription.
• Then comes dark web.

The dark web is part of the internet that isn’t visible to search engines and requires the use of an anonymizing browser called Tor to be accessed. The dark web offers anonymity and hence is the hub for all sorts of illicit activities in today’s internet age. Strictly speaking, it typically hosts illicit content. The kind of content that you have the potential to find include:

• Credit card details, stolen login credentials for something as serious as internet banking accounts to something as trivial as Uber or Netflix,
• Contact details/communication platform for striking deals with hitmen, drug dealers, weapon dealers, hackers, etc.,
• Marketplace to buy malicious codes to help corrupt or jam IT systems and even RaaS (Ransome-ware as a service!)

All of the above and more, for a fee of course. In short, dark web is like the underworld of the internet.Still wondering, “What is the deep web?” For more info about how a managed services provider, can help keep your business protected from the dark web, get in touch with soma technology group. Call us today for support and advice on 1300 131 559 or fill in the online form. Updated: 22/04/2021