What is Dark Web?
The portion of the internet accessible only through anonymizing networks like Tor, hosting both legitimate privacy services and illegal marketplaces.
The dark web is a small subset of the deep web (unindexed internet) that requires specific software to access.
Size
- The surface web (Google-indexed): ~5% of the internet
- The deep web (databases, private pages): ~90%
- The dark web (Tor hidden services): <0.01% but culturally outsized
Legitimate Uses
- Whistleblowing platforms (SecureDrop)
- News organizations (NYT, BBC, ProPublica onion sites)
- Communication in censored countries
- Privacy-focused email and messaging
Criminal Uses
- Drug markets, fraud, stolen data
- These get the headlines but represent a minority of hidden services
For Privacy
The dark web's privacy infrastructure (Tor, onion services) is the same technology that protects journalists, activists, and ordinary people who need privacy. The technology is neutral — only the use determines legality.
Related Terms
Darknet
A network overlay that requires specific software or configurations to access, providing anonymity for users and operators of hidden services.
Onion Service
A website or service hosted within the Tor network that is only accessible through Tor, providing anonymity for both the server and its visitors.
Tor Network
A free, open-source software and network that enables anonymous communication by directing Internet traffic through a worldwide volunteer overlay network of thousands of relays. Tor conceals users' locations and usage from surveillance and traffic analysis.
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