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The name does not help exactly, but the web dark has the reputation of being, well, a rather dark place - filled with criminals and illegal products that you will certainly not find Amazon . The Internet can be sufficiently frightening as is, but it is also an apparently endless source of useful information. And the dark web goes far beyond what you will find thanks to typical navigation. In this spirit, it is not something that you need to tinker slightly, so before diving, let's understand what it is and the best advice to protect you from threats.

We have connected with several cybersecurity experts to give you informed ventilation. Ready to start? Read the rest for their most essential advice and advice.

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What is the Dark web?

According to all spy films, The Dark Web is a very out of books, dangerous and difficult to maintain the Internet which is the key to each top secret mission. In reality, the Dark web is more than the fabric of spy films: it is a real space where none of the pages is indexed by search engines.

It also offers access to information and items that are not available on the ordinary web. The Dark Web is on the other side of the Internet, but although it is filled with hidden websites, it works a bit like ordinary internet. A key difference is that it offers legal and illegal content via markets and online forums.

The Dark Web "includes things like authenticated features on your bank's website, as well as telegram channels and the Tor network," said Josh Amishav , founder and CEO of Viosese .

This collection of websites generally uses certain software or encryption, which makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to follow your Internet activity. This maintains essentially anonymous and private users.

Is the dark web only for criminals?

Dark Web is not a playing field, but it is not only an exclusive club for cybercriminals.

"Often a false common idea, the dark web is not illegal, and it is not illegal to access it", " Zulfikar Ramzan , a chief scientist at Will have , said. "However, most of the activities taking place on the Dark web are illegal and linked to criminal actions."

Brittany Allen , A Fraud prevention expert , Explains that the Dark web is designed to keep anonymous users, which is an attractive feature for people who may seek fraud. But the Dark web also has other legitimate ends, explains Amishav.

"People living in oppressive governments or strict censorship laws can use things like the Tor browser to access information anonymously," he said. "Even people in Western societies, such as journalists and denunciators, often count on the dark web to communicate safely and anonymously."

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What can you find on the Dark web?

It is important to note: "Everything on the Dark web is not illegal, but due to the lack of regulation, it can be a dangerous place," said Calum Baird , A Digital legal medicine and consultant in response to incidents.

You can find all types of things to sell, including different forms of identification such as passports and social security numbers, as well as bank details, social media connections, illegal drugs, credit card information , weapons and illegal pornography, to name only a few.

However, according to Norton, An antivirus and anti-malware software company, there are also legal and less illicit articles that you can find on the Dark web, such as memories, well-being products, collectibles and handicrafts.

Are there any advantages to using the Dark web?

According to Norton, although the Dark Web can look a lot like the Far West, there are several positive uses:

• Free academic search: The Dark Web offers almost everything, including unrestricted access to free search publications. (You are welcome, graduate students!)
• Secure user experience: If you are not a fan of Big Brother who always looks at your research history, then target the announcements according to your Internet activity, the Dark Web offers a private and secure research experience which is without advertising and does not include follow -up. This also applies to social media, which you can use without worrying about something that is followed.
• Access to geo-blocked sites: If a site is blocked due to censorship or for other reasons, you can find it without restriction using the Dark Web.
• Cryptocurrency safety: If you are cryptocurrency, Dark Web is considered a safe place to use your digital wallet.

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Do I have to use the Dark web?

Now that you know what the Dark web is, you may be wondering if this is something you need to add to your search experience. According to Ramzan, people who find the dark web the most beneficial for their objectives include:

• Denunciators
• Activists
• Dissidents of oppressive plans and people living in countries with restrictive internet access
• Journalists seeking to protect their sources
• Law enforcement
• Intelligence agencies

Navigating in this space is not only risky, but also probably useless if you do not fall into any of these categories. For the average person, the Dark web is not something with which you should undertake with casualness.

According to Josh Smith , analyst of the main threats to Nuspire , he "brings more risks to the user than any gain it will draw from it. Anyway, if someone decides to explore it, understand that you can meet illegal activities".

Due to the structure of anonymous users of Dark Web and the lack of regulation, "the Dark web can be a risky place for the average Internet due to the higher probability of meeting scams, malicious software or illegal content "Explains Allen.

How to safely use the Dark Web?

With the right knowledge, you can browse the dark web safely.

First of all, it is important to arm yourself with network tools like the Tor Navigator (The Onion Router), which was first developed by the U.S. Naval Research Lab.

Tor helps protect your search by not transporting your device traffic to the web. Using encrypted servers or decentralized nodes, it allows users and their sites to be anonymous.

"The TOR browser is currently available only for Windows, Mac, Android and Linux," said Ramzan. "Once connected, you will have access to the Darknet websites called" Tor Hidden Services ". Instead of '.com' or '.org,' Dark web Address Trail with a '.onion' '.

Use a VPN, which means Virtual Private Network. It allows you to establish a digital connection with a remote server belonging to the VPN supplier. All the information with which you are committed to the Internet is then encrypted, hiding your IP address. This prevents Cyber-Snoopers from using one of the data or information you share or get.

To avoid connecting long dark web URLs to your browsers, you need to use Dark web search engines for a more rationalized approach. Here are some popular engines:

• Ahmia.fi: Users can access links to Dark Web using browsers they are used to, such as Chrome or Firefox. Keep in mind that to use these sites, you will have to use Ahmia.fi through the navigator Tor.
• DuckDuckGo :: This search engine is the default search engine of the TOR. Users can access the Dark Web not followed and anonymously.
• Torch: Torch looks a lot like Google's home screen, so it has a familiar feeling that facilitates navigation.

"It should go without saying, but do not participate in anything illegal," warns Smith. "In addition, malware and scams are frequently found. Avoid downloading anything from the Dark web, which could contain malware or illegal content. Do not click on links because they could also drive you to illegal content. "

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What are the threats to Darkweb?

There are a lot of things you should be aware before you start using the Dark web. Baird suggests keeping the following dangers in mind:

• Strange links: Little from suspect links. If you click on one, you can infect your computer with malware designed to damage it. It is best not to interact with links that you do not know, because you run the risk of releaseing an unpleasant virus on your device.
• Psychologically painful content: Internet can be a strange place, but the dark web can expose you to things that can tip you. You may want to stay outside the dark web if you don't want to see anything that could be emotionally damaging.
• Scams: The Internet is plagued by scams and dishonesty, so on the Dark web, you are forced to meet "the sellers not following after payment," warns Baird. Do your best to connect with renowned sellers.
• Illegal content: You will be billed if you commit illegal acts on the Dark web, complex. The Dark web, although designed to keep the use of anonymous and private people Internet, do not protect you from being captured and prosecuted.
• Sites that ask for your personal contact details: Pirates foam by mouth for your private information, and sometimes it is difficult to detect. To be safe, never share anything, you don't want to risk being stolen.
• Webcam diversion: According to Norton, this happens when a Dark Web website adds a remote administration tool to your computer. "This can allow them to divert your webcam and spy on you via the camera goal of your device," reads the site.

Who controls the Dark web?

When we think of who controls the Dark web, it is easy to imagine a masked silhouette hiding behind a brilliantly lit laptop screen. However, "no entity controls the Dark web, because each site has its own individual operators," said Smith. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

The Dark web is completely unregulated and does not belong to a single person, but rather to a network of people who run PROXY servers through.

How can I know if my information is on the Dark web?

You can find out if your information is on the Dark web by registering for a dark web surveillance service or an analysis tool. Having a tool like this can help you effectively check where your information is and if there has been a data violation.

"When the data is stolen on a website / platform and published on The Dark Web, some of your information can then be on the Dark Web; however, the risk and the extent of this will vary," explains Baird.

So, if you notice that your information is on the Dark web, keep in mind that "some data sets will contain information which, alone, do not extremely concern email addresses [while] some may contain ... name , address, date of the date of birth, social security number ... which could be used for fraud, "explains Baird. "Some may contain data that threat actors may use to target you! For example, if they are aware of your name, addresses, phone number and you have an amount of cryptocurrency, they can seek you Flying this, maybe by force.

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So, everyone's information on the dark web?

Regarding the Internet, almost everyone leaves a kind of digital footprint and uses several websites with several connections or profiles. But as long as you arm yourself against pirates and crooks by practicing secure habits and limiting the amount of personal information you share, you can protect your private data.

Wrap

The Dark web is not something to explore for fun, but it is not necessarily something you need to be afraid either. By understanding what it is, how it works and the potential dangers, you can have a quality experience on this other side of the Internet. Like everything, The Dark Web serves a goal - but it is essential to use it wisely.