Deep Web Sites: A Hidden World of Information

The deep web is a vast and mysterious part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines like Google or Bing. It is estimated that the deep web is 500 times larger than the surface web, making it a treasure trove of information and resources for those who know how to access it.

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What are Deep Web Sites?

Although not officially a search engine, The Hidden Wiki earns its place here for its assistance in exploring the dark web. Operating more like a directory, it organizes indexed links, streamlining the dark web exploration process. While it diligently blocks many malicious sites from its directory, like all dark web search engines, some shady sites manage to find their way onto the list. The Hidden Wiki serves as the dark web version of Wikipedia and simplifies navigation on TOR with its directory. It offers categorized links to both .onion websites and surface web links, making it a useful resource despite not being a traditional deep web search engine. Google may be synonymous with online search but the internet is much larger than a single search engine.

Deep web sites, also known as “darknet” sites, are websites that are not accessible through traditional web browsers like Chrome or Firefox. These sites are typically hosted on networks like Tor or I2P, which provide anonymity and privacy for both the user and the site operator. Deep web sites can be used for a variety of purposes, both legal and illegal.

Legal Uses of Deep Web Sites

NETWORKING AND DARK WEB

Whistleblowing: Deep web sites can be used by whistleblowers to safely and anonymously share information about corruption, abuse, or other wrongdoing. For example, the whistleblowing site WikiLeaks is hosted on the deep web.

Political Activism: Deep web sites can be used by political activists to organize and communicate without fear of government surveillance or censorship. For example, the Tor network is used by many activists in countries with repressive regimes.

Firstly, the team wanted to empower readers who wished to avoid ad tracking. “I think it’s a public service to give your readers these kinds of choices,” he said. Of course, reporters also wanted to protect their work from being censored. In that same vein, one of the most reputable media outlets is also hanging out on the Dark Web. ProPublica was the first major publication to snatch itself an onion address. ProPublica reporter Edwin Torres said there were many reasons behind the site’s 2016 decision.

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Journalism: Deep web sites can be used by investigative journalists to protect their sources and themselves. For example, the Freedom of the Press Foundation hosts several deep web sites for journalists to share sensitive information.

Onion sites are “crawled” and added to the list provided their “robots.txt” file permits it, and if it is not on their blacklist of sites with abuse material. Site operators can also submit their own .onion sites for indexing. In more technical terms, the dark web is the part of the web where sites are hosted on so-called darknets — computer networks overlaid on other networks. Like regular “surface” sites, dark web sites use internet protocols, but the darknet networks that are overlaid on normal networks can’t be accessed through regular web browsers. These unindexed sites are called dark because all of their users are anonymous.

Illegal Uses of Deep Web Sites

Even after repeated attempts to bring down several child pornographies sites, there has been little luck. The lack of advancement is due to much better tricks that marketplaces opt to evade themselves. But thanks to progression in technology, the same is made possible. Last year, few attempts to bring down marketplaces selling illegal goods were successful.

Illegal Goods and Services: Deep web sites can be used to buy and sell illegal goods and services, such as drugs, weapons, and stolen data. For example, the infamous Silk Road marketplace was a deep web site that was shut down by the FBI in 2013.

Cybercrime: Deep web sites can be used by cybercriminals to launch attacks, steal data, and extort money. For example, ransomware gangs often use deep web sites to negotiate with their victims and receive payment.

How to Access Deep Web Sites

Accessing deep web sites requires the use of special software, such as the Tor browser or the I2P network. These tools provide anonymity and privacy by routing internet traffic through a network of servers, making it difficult for anyone to track or monitor the user’s activity. However, it’s important to note that accessing deep web sites can be risky, as many of them host illegal or dangerous content.

There are plenty of cases of child pornography, hacker sites, and illegal chatrooms on the dark web. Remember to read the description carefully before you open any links since The Hidden Wiki also contains links to websites that include illicit content. This has made it the subject of cyberattacks by both the FBI and the hacker group Anonymous in the past.

Staying Safe on Deep Web Sites

• This means that if you do anything illegal on the dark web and are unlucky enough to be routed through one of these nodes, the authorities will be well aware of what you’re doing.
• Pirated software, movies, books, and other files are shared widely on the dark web.
• In order to access it at all, you will need to use an anonymizing web browser and a virtual private network (VPN).
• Because the deep web is not fully-indexed with mainstream search engines, often the only way to find such sites is to know the exact internet address to use.
• Many websites are run by cybercriminals that offer all kinds of illegal goods and services.

To stay safe on deep web sites, it’s important to follow these guidelines:

• Use a trusted VPN service to encrypt your internet traffic and hide your IP address.
• Only visit sites that have a good reputation and are known to be safe.
• Never share personal information or sensitive data on deep web sites.
• Be cautious of any links or downloads, as they may contain malware or other malicious software.

By following these guidelines, you can safely explore the hidden world of deep web sites and uncover the vast amount of information and resources that are otherwise unavailable on the surface web.