What’s the difference between the deep web vs. the dark web? Turn to this overview to learn how they both work and for tips for those surfing the deep web and dark web.
The internet has many layers to it. You might thinkof the web as a glacierfloating in the middle of the Arctic. There’s thesurface web that most of ususe or see every day, the deep web nestledright below, and then the dark webburied even farther down.
Deep web and dark websites can have badreputations, but that’s partially because they’re surroundedby so muchmystery, leading to confusion and misinformation. Infact, these sitesmake uparound 96%of the internet and some even providecybersecuritymeasures to improve youronline privacy.
For more perspective,dive into our breakdownof the deep web vs. the dark web, including the purposeof each and howthey differ from one another. You’ll also find best practicesfor deep weband dark web browsing, as well as answers to frequently askedquestionsabout surfing deep and dark web websites.
What is the deep web?
The name might sound nefarious, but there’s reallynothing sinister about the deep web.
Instead, the deepweb describes all web pageshidden from the search engines we use every day.Website owners hide theirsites to protect information not meant for public viewing, likeemail andbanking accounts, privatesocial mediapages, andelectronic health records. Imagine ifsomeone were able to Google yourname and have your email account and/or healthrecords pop upinstantly.Thanks to the deep web, this doesn’t happen.
The deep web works byrequiring you to have aspecificpasswordor link thatwill give you access to the privatesite you’re trying to enter. This way,prying eyes will run into trouble tryingto access yourpersonal information.
Think of your online bank account. To access it, you must first enter apassword and username. This keeps others from logging onto your online savingsor checking accounts.
Some mainstream sites are only accessible via thedeep web because of how they customize each page tothe user. Streamingplatforms are a great example of this, requiring you toenter your logincredentials immediately before you can continue to watch yourfavorite TVshows and movies.
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a different experience. It isamore guarded subspace of the deep web, hostingencryptedwebsites forits users. However, these sites areonly accessible through certain webbrowsers. Some people use thisencryptedspace to help protect theiridentity and online privacy, but other hackers like to use these features tocarry out illegal activities. It is these shady dealings that give the dark webits seedy, dangerous reputation.
Here are some crimes you mightencounter while navigatingthe dark web:
- Armstrafficking
- Drugtrafficking
- Cryptocurrency scams
- NFT scams
- Phishingscams
- Espionage
- Saleof stolen credentials anddata
Of course, the dark web isn’t only used for criminal purposes.Some people log onto it to hide their online activity from governments,especially those that censor the internet or have a history of jailing dissidents.Journalists might use the dark web to communicate with confidential sources.
With the help of theTor Project and other similar dark webbrowsers, people can surf the dark weband communicate with others withouthaving theirIP address, search history,cache, orcookiestracked. Theseare unique search engines designedspecifically for accessing the darkweb. And contrary to what you may think,the dark web offers several sitesthat aren’t connected with illegal activity.
What is the difference between the dark web and the deep web?
Now that you know what the deep and dark web are, seeing their differencesmay be a bit easier. But just to make sure you have a clear picture, we’veoutlined them for you below.
What are uses of the deep webvs. the dark web?
People use the deepweb and dark web fordifferent reasons.
Why people use the deep web:
- Protectonline accounts andpersonal information
- Safeguarddatabases
- Interacton social media
- Accesseducational courses
- Usesubscriptions services
Why people use the dark web:
- Performillegal activities
- Conductmilitary/policeinvestigations
- Holdpolitical protests
- Surfthe internet anonymously
People often use thedark web to keep their online activityanonymous. And this increased protectionis what canmotivatecybercriminals to use the platform for illegal activity.
What are the pros of the deep web vs. the dark web?
Like everything connected to the online world, both the deep weband the dark web have their pluses and minuses.
Pros of the deep web:
- Enhancedprivacy
- Securewebsite connections
- Password-and/or link-protectedinformation
Pros of the dark web:
- Nocensorship
- Platformfor political activism
- Anonymousbrowsing
What are the cons of the deep web vs. dark web?
There are also downsides to surfing the deep web anddark web.
The deep web can help protect personal information,but that doesn’t mean that clever hackers can’t still crack the sits onit.Cybercriminals often use tactics likecredential stuffingandpassword sprayingtoobtain the details they need to steal andexpose your data.
And, yes,the dark web offers anonymousbrowsing not available on the deep webor surface web, but therearesignificant threats you might encounter as youbrowse. Hackers use thedark web for illegal activitiesthat couldimplicate you and exposeyour information if you stumble across the wrong site.
You might also have questions about accessing the dark web, as well asquestions about safety.
How can I access the dark web?
The dark web might be hidden to most web browsers, but thatdoesn't mean it's impossible to reach. In fact, getting to the dark web isn'teven all the difficult. You just have to download a browser built to accessthis part of the web, most likely the Tor browser.
The Tor browser — which stands for The Onion Routing — will keepyour online activity anonymous and let you visit websites on the dark web. Thechallenge, though, is that you must know the website addresses you want tovisit. The dark web doesn't have an index or ranking system, which means youcan't search for sites like you would with Google or other search engines. Theonly way to reach sites on the dark web is to type them directly into yourbrowser.
You can find dark web search engines, with one of the mostpopular being the Uncensored Hidden Wiki. Just be careful: Many of these searchengines might include websites that deal in illegal activity.
How can I access the deep and dark web safely?
If you want to visit the deep web — even if it’s just to checkout your dental bill or the balance in your online bank account —equip yourdevice with trusted security software and keep it up to date.
And if you are visiting deep web sites such as your onlinecredit card portal, use a virtual private network, or VPN. A VPN hides your IPaddress from snoops and also encrypts your information while online. This keepsgovernment bodies, advertisers and hackers from reading the messages you sendand websites you visit while online. Hackers and others, then, won’t be able todecipher your password when you log into your online bank account.
Here are a few tips and tools to help stay safe when using Torand other browsers. There’s a lot more to consider, but this should give you anidea of some of the issues — good and bad — to consider.
- Toris known for providing online anonymity, so it can be effective forsharing sensitive information with family or reporting corruption orabuse.
- KeepTor and Tor applications updated. Make sure your device’s operating systemis also up to date.
- Don’tuse your regular email on websites when using Tor. While Tor is designedwith anonymity in mind, providing your regular email address could expose your identity.
- The presence of illegal activity calls into questionthe “character” of some dark web denizens. That’s why it’s important to takecare to help protect your personal information and identity.
Visiting the dark web, though, is different thanaccessing the deep web. In fact, poking around on the dark web is where people canget themselves into trouble. Unlike the deep web, which contains important anduseful information, the dark web is riddled with illegal and unconscionableactivity.
Because Tor servers keep users and publisherscompletely anonymous, there’s no way to regulate or control the content,products, and services being offered inside the dark web. There’s also no wayto trace communications or keep financial tabs on responsible parties becauseall payments are made and received usingBitcoin,a digital currency that operates independently of a central bank.
That doesn’t mean that only criminals visit the darkweb. There are publications on the dark web whose editors and founders believeit’s the only way to obtain and sustain a truly free press.
Before you visit the dark web, educate yourself on itsdangers. Install and run strong, trusted security software on your computer anddevices to help ensure the privacy and security of your data.
What are best practices for deep and dark web browsing?
If you do choose to browse the deep anddark web, here are a few best practices to keep in mind to help keep yourdevices and information secure:
- Use Tor Browser
- Never share personal information and/orpasswords
- Steer clear of illegal websites
- Use aVPN
- Avoid downloading files
- Cover or disconnect yourwebcam
- Don’t enter your actual email address
- Downloadantivirus software
Should I visit the deep and dark web?
You probably visit the deep web regularly already.If you checked the balance in your online checking account or studied your mostrecent credit card statement online, you’ve been on the deep web. You use thedeep web, too, when you sign into Netflix, Amazon Prime, or any other streamingvideo service to watch movies.
The dark web? That’s a different matter. You mightuse the dark web if you live in a country in which the government censors orspies on online activity. By using the Tor browser to access the dark web, youcan visit sites that your government might prefer you not.
You might use the dark web if you are a dissidentand are trying to communicate with others without your government tracking yourmessage. Maybe you’re a journalist and you are communicating with sources whowant to keep their identities private. The dark web can help.
Some medical professionals even offer advice onsensitive health issues through dark web sites. This gives people the chance toask questions about potentially embarrassing health issues – such as drugaddiction – and feel comfortable that no one will be spying on their messages.
Just be careful when you’re on the dark web. Thissection of the internet is home to illegal drugs, illegal firearms sales andchild p*rnography. It’s also a place for hackers o sell the personal andfinancial information of victims, such as their Social Security numbers andcredit card numbers. Don’t be tempted to do anything illegal here. It could comeback to haunt you.
If you do choose to browse the deep anddark web, here are a few best practices to keep in mind to help keep yourdevices and information secure:
Deep web vs dark web FAQs
Havemore questionsregarding the deep web vs. the dark web? We have answers.
Who madethe dark web?
TheU.S. governmentcreated the dark web in the mid-1990s to allow spies toexchangeconfidential dataanonymously.
Is itillegal to access the deep web or the dark web?
No,it is not illegalto access either the deep web or dark web.
What arethe main dangers of the dark web?
Thereare a number ofdangers present on the dark web from child p*rnography anddrug trafficking toillegal arms dealings and cryptocurrencyscams.
What isTor Project?
TheTor Browser is anencrypted network used for surfing the dark web. Thelevel of encryption providesanonymous internet browsing for all users.
Can Tor betraced?
Theencrypted networkthe Tor Browser uses to access the dark web is very hardto trace.
Whathappens if you go on the dark web?
Thoseusing the darkweb disconnect from the public servers used for everyday onlinebrowsing andconnect to a dark web browser that provides increased privacyand security.
Cyber threats have evolved, and so have we.
Norton 360™ with LifeLock™, all-in-one, comprehensive protection against viruses, malware, identity theft, online tracking and much, much more.
Try Norton 360 with Lifelock.
Learn More
