Navigating the shadows: The dark web's dual world of freedom and risk

The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines like Google or Bing and can only be accessed using special software, most commonly the Tor browser. It is designed to provide anonymity for both users and website operators.

Internet layers

1. Surface Web: The visible part of the internet. These are websites you visit every day (like YouTube, Wikipedia).
2. Deep Web: Content that isn’t indexed by search engines, but not illegal (like your email inbox, banking pages).
3. Dark Web: A small portion of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and accessible only with special tools like Tor.

What happens on the dark web?

Legal uses

• Whistleblowing platforms
• Forums for free speech under censorship
• Privacy-focused communication

Illegal uses

• Selling stolen data (e.g. credit card info, login details)
• Drugs, weapons, fake documents
• Hacking services
• Black markets

Is it illegal?

• Accessing the dark web is not illegal in most countries.
• However, participating in illegal activities (like buying drugs or stolen data) is illegal and punishable under the law.

Important notes

Many dark web sites use “.onion” domains, only accessible via Tor.

It’s easy to stumble into unsafe or harmful content, so caution is strongly advised.

Law enforcement agencies monitor parts of the dark web.