What is the dark web? How Does it Works? Is the dark web illegal

What is the dark web?

        Overlay networks that use the Internet but also require a certain set of specific software requirements and configurations, the authority to access and contain some worldwide web content existing on them, is known as the dark web. The deep web comprises the dark-web which is a very small component of the same. It is a part that has not been indexed by web search engines. Though, sometimes dark-web is mistakenly referred to as the deep web.

        The dark web comprises small networks as well as large and well-known networks. The dark web browsers are Tor, Freenet, I2P, and riffle. These are operated by public organizations and also by individuals. The users of the dark web have also termed the regular net as ‘Clearnet’. This is due to the fact that the regular net has no encryption. The Tor dark-web is also called ‘onionland’ which is a reference made for the top-level domain suffixes of a network. Onion routing consists of traffic anonymization.

Dark web sites

To browse .onion Deep Web links, install Tor Browser from Download Tor Browser

Dark website links: Click here for Tor links..!

re is a list of some common terminologies used to refer to it. But, looking at the general confusion which occurs due to the confusion between the dark-web and deep web, the deep web is one such term that is required to gain more clarity on. There have been recommendations to distinguish between them but not many amendments have been made.

Dark web browser

        Accessing the dark web requires the use of an anonymizing browser called Tor. The Tor browser routes your web page requests through a series of proxy servers operated by thousands of volunteers around the globe, rendering your IP address unidentifiable and untraceable. Tor works like magic, but the result is an experience that’s like the dark web itself: unpredictable, unreliable and maddeningly slow.

Dark web search engine

Dark web search engines exist, but even the best are challenged to keep up with the constantly shifting landscape. The experience is reminiscent of searching the web in the late 1990s. Even one of the best search engines, called Grams, returns results that are repetitive and often irrelevant to the query. Link lists like The Hidden Wiki are another option, but even indices also return a frustrating number of timed-out connections and 404 errors.

Commerce on the dark web

        The dark web has flourished thanks to bitcoin, the crypto-currency that enables two parties to conduct a trusted transaction without knowing each other’s identity. “Bitcoin has been a major factor in the growth of the dark web, and the dark web has been a big factor in the growth of bitcoin,” says Tiquet.

How does the dark web work?

        Darknet websites are accessed through some specific networks such as Tor, which is ‘The onion’ routing project or I2P which is the Invisible Internet Project. Darknet users use some frequently used Tor-accessible sites and Tor browser and these can be identified by the domain “.onion”. The function of Tor is to provide anonymous access to the Internet while the I2P has a specialization in providing authority to anonymously access websites. 

        There is layered encryption in the dark-web and due to this the identities and locations of the dark-web users cannot be tracked. The encryption provided by the dark-web has a powerful technology that is supposed to route the user’s data through some intermediate servers. This protects the identity of the user and also provides a guarantee of their anonymity.

        There is a subsequent node in the scheme through which the information which has been transmitted is decrypted and this leads to the exit node. Owing to the complications of the system, it has become absolutely impossible for the node path to be produced again in order to decrypt the information layer by layer. Due to a level of encryption which is very high, it is difficult for the websites to be able to track the geolocation and the IP of the users. Also, users are unable to get any information about their hosts.

        The communication that takes place between the darknet users is of a highly encrypted nature which allows them to exchange information and files in a very confidential manner. Illegal activities such as trade, forums and exchanges in the media happen with regard to pedophiles and terrorists. Simultaneously, there are certain traditional websites that have created an alternative method to access for Tor browser to ease connectivity to the users. ProPublica, for instance, launched a newer version of its website which was made available uniquely to the Tor Users.

        Some illicit use of onion services has been highlighted by some researchers at King’s College London in the past.

Getting acquainted with the terms

Some widely used terms in the dark web stories or its concept are:

Botnets: These are mostly structured with their command and control servers, which have found their base in hidden service which is resistant to censorship. These create a large amount of traffic which is related to the bot.

Bitcoin service: Some services of bitcoin such as tumblers are available on Tor and others such as Grams, provide darknet market integration. There have been tested approaches that have been found to convert Bitcoin into a game currency that is used online. There has been evidence of blockchain and cryptocurrency being used to regulate the dark-web.

Darknet markets: Transaction of illegal drugs happens in commercial darknet markets. These have been able to pull significant media coverage given to the popularity of Silk Road. Software exploits and weapons are also sold in some markets.

Hacking groups and services: There are hackers who function either individually or in groups. And, they sell their services similarly. There are some widely known groups such as Xdedic, hackforum, darkOde, TheRealdeal, Trojanforge, and Mazafaka.

Is the dark web illegal?

        No, it is not illegal. It is merely a part of the network which has not been indexed by search engines such as google.com and duckduckgo.com. So, simply speaking, using the dark web is accessing a part of the internet and so it cannot be illegal. Just that, because of the fact that it is hidden from the normal eyes, it is used by many malicious users for certain illegal purposes.

        For instance, black marketing of weapons and drugs is carried out by this. Also, it is used by professionals who need to works as hackers, journalists and whistleblowers to maintain their anonymity. Also, upon being censored by certain authorities, some items were found which were said to be infected. These comprised Trojans, malware, ransomware and many more. So, basically, it has to be used with caution. Users should abstain from clicking just any link they find. Also, privacy should be maintained in putting up any personal information on it.

        This information and other sensitive details can be used by malicious attackers to cause harm. Attackers can indulge in illegal pornography, phishing attacks, cyber terrorism, and other destructive purposes and even on maintaining the standard security protocols, there are chances that one might get trapped in such situations of crisis. Also, even if anonymity is provided by them, there’s no guarantee of someone being a hundred percent untraceable. Some steps can be taken to prevent harm.

        A proper functioning anti-virus should be in place. Also, the webcam should be covered with tape. But then looking at the one-word answer to the question about the legality of the dark web, well, it’s a no. It’s not illegal. It’s the activities that are illegal.