Many of us believe that we have complete access to the overall Internet. But in reality, it’s not the case at all. In fact, we don’t realize the fact but we have a very less percentage of access over the web. Also, most of us are not aware of the reality that the Internet web has 3 layers.
Layers of the Internet
- Surface Web
- Deep Web
- Dark Web
Let’s have a look at each one of them:
Surface Web
It basically comprises the sites that are publicly available. We all have access to them via our search engines like Google and Bing etc. Examples include Youtube, Facebook, Wikipedia, and many more. These sites are accessible to almost everyone having an Internet connection.
But there are some sites that are not accessible to everyone at all. They come as part of the Deep and the Dark Web. Surprisingly, the web we use on a daily basis i.e Surface Web, also called the Open Web, only covers about 10-15% of the total internet. The rest of the proportion is divided among the other two webs which comprise of the hidden and restricted sites.
Deep Web
This portion mostly consists of personal information like Academic records, Medical Records, Financial information, Legal documents, and many more. It is basically for the companies and institutions etc to keep records of their employees’ and customers' data. For instance, your financial information is not accessible on regular search engines like Chrome or Safari.
But the banks have online access through Deep Web. Similarly, Hospitals have access to your Medical records via this web. Around 85-95% of the Internet comprises Deep web content.
Dark Web
Basically, the Dark Web contains a large collection of websites that are accessible only via anonymity tools like I2P, TOR, etc in order to hide IP addresses. The portion it covers of the web is unknown.
It comprises the most sensitive content and by perception, it is used for criminal activities. Somehow it is true as well because most of the illegal activities like drug and gun dealings, hacking, sexual abuse, murder for hire, and other such criminal stuff are performed under the dark web.
Still, it is not true that the Dark Web is only for the wrong purposes at all. It is also used for the right purposes too.
The positive side of the Dark Web
It allows you to access the restricted websites anonymously. Thus you have the ability to visit such sites without the fear of exposing your sensitive information.
In other words, it gives you complete privacy which the surface web often fails to do. Although your online activities are often tracked by Spy Pixels and Cookies etc. But once you are using the Anonymity tools (Like TOR, I2P), your IP address gets hidden making your identity anonymous.
We never give attention but somehow the business people can enjoy great benefits through the Dark web.
For instance:
It facilitates people working for Public relations to get close to the cybersecurity consultants. It will improve their knowledge and also enhance their skills in their respective fields.
As the Dark web allows you to access all kinds of data, businesses can detect and prepare themselves for an upcoming challenge or threat in the market.
By accessing the data available on the dark web, companies can learn about many useful techniques while other successful organizations are currently using or have used in the past. Thus, it will open the gates for them to brainstorm and come up with new refined techniques that would help their business and operations.
Deep Web Vs Dark Web
Most of us often confuse the Deep Web with the Dark Web. but in reality, they are different from each other. The dark web covers quite a small portion of the web while the majority is covered under the deep web. Also, their content is different from each other as mentioned earlier. One can easily access the Deep Web content while signing up for it. For example, you might have seen that for some restricted sites, you are required to log in or to pay, but after that, you can get access to that specific site.
This is quite simple and no unethical practice is involved here. While the case of the Dark web is totally different. One must need to be using I2P or TOR in order to access that layer of the web. So no need to confuse these terms with each other.
Fourth layer
It is also believed that there is a fourth layer deep down the Dark Web named Shadow web. It is mostly considered to be the most dangerous layer of the web and comprises threatening data even more than the dark web. But it's not yet confirmed and even considered as a rumor.
There are several benefits one can enjoy under this web with a completely anonymous identity.
So you see there are both negative but also a positive side of the Dark web, But the main decision is in your hands that what you choose it for.
