You’ve probably heard of the terms Tor and dark web in the media. However, using these sites is not as dangerous as they appear. It’s actually quite simple to get started.
The dark web is a set of websites that aren’t indexable by search engines like Google. The dark web is the part of the Internet in which data and content could otherwise be kept secret. For instance email inboxes and emails online banking logins, online banking inboxes and Google Drive folders live on the deep web. They aren’t accessible to the general public using a standard browser.
On the dark web, there are also many sites that serve legitimate functions. For instance, the site SecureDrop is a dark web site that permits whistleblowers and other whistleblowers to disclose sensitive information to news organizations anonymously. There are also sites where people can purchase and sell stolen credentials, including passwords and credit card numbers. These are referred to as’marketplaces. The most well-known examples are Silk Road, AlphaBay and numerous others.
Tor is the mainstay of the dark web. It routes your connection via a number of volunteer servers scattered across the world. This makes it impossible for anyone else to monitor your activities. The name “Tor” comes from its fact that the data it encrypts is layered like the layers of pizza. This helps protect anonymity.