Dark web vs Deep web: How do they Differentiate?

The Internet has various hidden layers that stay unknown to common users. People utilize those layers for both positive and negative purposes. However, such activities have a great impact on regular internet users. The dark web and deep web are the two secret spheres of the internet where several legal and illegal practices occur.   

Sources consider these hidden internet layers a hub for cybercrimes and illicit trading. There are over 5.44 billion internet users around the globe, but only a small number of them have a proper idea about the dark and deep web.   

However, alongside IT professionals, the common public should also be aware of these elements for a safe and secure user experience on the internet. In this blog, we shall discuss the secret layers of the internet alongside shedding light on the dark web vs deep web.  

Introduction to the Dark Web and Deep Web:  

The internet is broadly segmented into three layers— surface, deep, and dark webs. Experts assess these layers in the form of an iceberg. The surface web, or the open web, is the tip of the iceberg, which is visible to regular internet users.   

However, there are millions of websites and web pages on the internet that are not accessible through usual browsers or search engines. Such pages are typically found on the dark and deep web.   

Only 4% of the internet is the surface web, while the deep web and dark web consist of 90% and 6%, respectively. This indicates that over 95% of the internet is unknown to regular users.   

What is Deep Web?  

It is the middle and largest portion of the iceberg-like internet consisting of 90% web pages. The deep web is too huge for accountability; hence, nobody knows how many pages and sites are there.   

Though these sites remain hidden from regular users, most of the data on these is legal and safe. It includes datasets of private and public sectors that cannot be revealed on the surface web for safety purposes. Moreover, government bodies and professionals use the deep web for private and secure interactions.  

The content on the deep web is usually hidden, but many pages are accessible through big search engines with passwords and decryption keys. The reason for such activities is to protect data from unwanted exposure.   

What is Dark Web?  

The dark web is the bottom layer of the internet, consisting of around 6% of it. As a part of the deep web, it includes non-indexed web pages which require a specialized browser for accessibility. Unlike the middle portion, this layer of the internet mostly includes illegal websites and pages that can create threats to people. That is why users find it unsafe to be on such sites.   

Illicit content and stolen data, alongside gun and drug trading, are commonly traced in the dark layer of the web. Evidently, there are major distinctions between the dark web vs deep web. Let us delve into the key differences.   

Elaborating Dark web vs Deep web:  

Anonymity:  

Both the dark web and deep web maintain the anonymity of the users alongside keeping user identity untraceable. People can privately browse the internet in both layers.   

Accessibility:   

Accessibility is an important element when comparing the dark web vs deep web. Users need specific browsers like Tor to access the dark web. On the other hand, people can access the deep web with usual browsers such as Chrome and Microsoft Edge but only by entering appropriate credentials.    

Content:   

Dark web mostly manages illegal, inappropriate, and unsafe content. Illegal trading is common there. However, deep web is not entirely unsafe. Government and non-government bodies largely utilize it for confidential communication and data protection.   

Security:  

The dark web marketplaces are reportedly unsafe as illegal trading takes place there alongside other criminal activities. Conversely, the deep web is user-friendly and secure.    

Size:   

Discussing the dark web vs deep web is incomplete without mentioning the dimensions of the significant internet layers. The former includes 6% of the internet, whilst the latter includes almost 90%.   

Wrapping up!  

More than 95% of the internet remains unexplored by regular surfers, as millions of sites are unindexed and belong to the dark and deep webs. Despite the differences in size, content, security, etc., between the dark vs deep web, these two segments of the internet reflect the complexities of the digital realm and data privacy. As we explore these deeper elements and aim to use digital advancements safely, it is important to stay informed with the right insights. Read our blogs to stay updated with the ongoing tech trends.  

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