The Dark Web

The Dark Web is a hidden part of the internet that isn’t accessible through regular search engines like Google or Bing and requires special software to access—most commonly the Tor browser (The Onion Router). 1. Internet Layers
Think of the internet as three layers:

Surface Web → The visible part you use every day (Google, YouTube, news sites). Search engines index this.

Deep Web → Private content not indexed by search engines, like your email inbox, online banking, and internal company databases.

Dark Web → A portion of the Deep Web intentionally hidden and accessible only via special tools like Tor or I2P.

2. How it Works
Websites here often have addresses ending in .onion (not .com or .org).

Traffic is routed through multiple encrypted layers, making it difficult to trace the user’s location or identity.

This anonymity protects both privacy seekers and criminals.

3. Uses
Legitimate Uses:

Journalists and activists use it to communicate securely.

Whistleblowers share information without revealing their identity.

Privacy-conscious individuals avoid government or corporate surveillance.

Illegal Uses:

Black markets for drugs, weapons, stolen data, counterfeit documents.

Hacking services and cybercrime tools.

Distribution of banned content.

4. Dangers
Scams → Many dark web marketplaces are fraudulent.

Malware → Downloading files can infect your device.

Law enforcement monitoring → Even though anonymous, suspicious activity can be traced.

Disturbing content → Some material is illegal and psychologically harmful.

5. Access
To access:

Install the Tor Browser from the official site.

Use trusted .onion links (often shared through forums).

Maintain strong digital hygiene (VPN, no personal info sharing).

Source:https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mechanical-engineer-from-a-well-to-do-family-how-kerala-resident-edison-became-a-kingpin-selling-lsd-on-dark-web-10110486/