Why You Shouldn't Visit Deep Web or Dark Web

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“Deep Web” is the part of the internet that isn’t indexed or normally visible or accessible from search engines. This also includes the “Dark Web,” which can only be accessed through certain anonymity tools and services, like the Tor browser. It’s not possible to determine exactly how many deep web pages there are at any given time, or to provide a comprehensive picture of everything in it because of the very stealthy nature of certain parts of the dark web.

Many use it to buy drugs and other illegal items from seemingly untraceable sites. But it’s also used by “people who want to remain anonymous or set up sites that can’t be traced back to a physical location or entity.” That includes people who need to protect their identity and communications from state and private surveillance, like whistle-blowers and journalists. “Dissidents in restrictive regimes use it to remain anonymous in order to safely let the world know what’s happening in their country.”

The deep and dark web have come under great interest and scrutiny in recent times following the trial of Ross Ulbricht, who was charged and convicted of running one of the dark web’s largest and most popular underground marketplaces, dubbed Silk Road. FBI shut down the Silk Road website in October of 2013.

ISLAMIC STATE (IS) AND DEEP WEB :

The activities of ISIS on the Surface Web are now being monitored closely, and the decision by a number of governments to take down or filter extremist content has forced the jihadists to look for new online safe havens. The Dark Web is a perfect alternative as it is inaccessible to most but navigable for the initiated few – and it is completely anonymous. As a result, “the dark web has become ISIS’ number one recruiting platform.”

The browser’s benefits for ISIS don’t stop at anonymous messaging: Supporters of the group from around the world can also use one of Tor’s many illicit exchanges to transfer Bit coins – a digital currency – directly into the militants’ accounts.

Terror outfits, as part of their modus operandi, send a link to this network to their associates on his/her email address. It is only when the receiver clicks on this link that he/she can access the information available on Dark net.

The reason the dark web can be dangerous, or scary, is that often sites aren't what they appear to be.  There are many, many unlabeled or mislabeled links, or sites that are disguised as one thing and turn out to be much worse. On top of that, if you decide to do things like buy drugs, cloned credit cards, and guns in the dark web, you don't always know whom you're dealing with (as on the street).  One of my concerns was always being de-anonymized in some way, which is possible.

Oddly enough, right beside the more malicious sites are purely innocent and bizarre pages, just like you might find on the clearnet ("surface web").  So, you don't really know what you'll come across, to be honest.

Reasons why you shouldn't visit.......

1. There’s Nothing Good There

You might think of the Deep Web as this treasure trove of secrets that are just waiting to be uncovered, but really, it’s not. Most of the Deep Web is heavily encrypted to keep hackers out, so if you’re expecting to just stumble onto a top-secret government project or even just a politician’s naughty e-mails, you’re going to be very disappointed. The closest you’ll ever get are the Dox sites, where the information of celebrities (such as their address, social security number, etc) has been posted, but if you even manage to find a Dox site that’s still functional, the information you find will almost always be outdated by at least a few years (but why would you want to access that information anyway). Sure, there’s also plenty of torrent sites and other pirate treasures, but you can easily find those on the surface web if you’re so inclined.

Also Read: What is TOR browaser?

2. There’s Plenty of Bad, Though

As a general rule of thumb, if something is on the deep web, chances are it has a very good reason why it’s there. Usually, the reason is because it’s highly illegal. We’re talking child pornography, drugs, hitmen for hire, Red rooms, even alleged snuff videos. This is stuff that you do NOT want to see, ever. Most of us would prefer to stay as far away from it for personal reasons (the sheer idea that child pornography exists makes me go into a rage, and I’ll probably bawl my eyes out if I see someone being killed on camera), but if for some reason that doesn’t deter you, those things are also very illegal. Just viewing child pornography is a crime, so even if you accidentally stumbled upon it or checked it out for curiosity’s sake rather than for sexual gratification you’re technically committing a crime that can label you as a sexual predator. So just don’t risk it.

3. It’s Very, Very Unsafe

The people who dwell on the Deep Web do illegal stuff. That’s kind of their forte. They’re definitely not above luring newcomers to a site and promising them this awesome hacking tool, only to covertly install a virus to your site alongside it. Next thing you know your credit card has $4,000 in drug purchases charged on it and you’re dragged by an FBI agent for interrogation. It’s just not worth it. But believe it or not, your money being stolen or getting a nasty virus on your system is one of the least bad things that can happen to you there. You can suffer from identity theft, which can absolutely destroy your life. Literally the last thing you want is a fugitive from the wall using your name and information in order to evade the authorities. And God help you if you happen to piss off a denizen of the Deep Web. While this is hear-say (which I’m generally against), a popular story narrates a man’s experience with a site dedicated to live-streaming the murders of real people, usually homeless men and runaways. The man called out the people on the website for being the psychopaths that they are, and within moments received a private message with his name and address. Impossible? Not entirely. Every computer has its own unique IP and MAC address, and with the right connections you can easily find out the personal information of a certain user by the ISP they are registered at, and even without connections anyone, even you and me, can pinpoint an approximate location based on nothing but the IP address. So don’t take that chance.

If you really are experienced and know what you're doing, that's one thing (especially if it's part of your job to comb through the dark web).  But if you're just wandering around, it can get you in trouble - like getting lost in the Amazon without a guide.