The deep web and dark web are often confused, but redditors explain their differences, anonymity, dangers, and common myths.

Deep Web vs. Dark Web

• Deep Web: This refers to parts of the web that are not indexed by search engines. It includes content behind logins, such as your email, banking portals, and cloud storage. "The deep web refers to sites that aren't accessible via search engines."

• Dark Web: This is a subset of the deep web that requires specific software, like the Tor browser, to access. It is known for its increased anonymity and is often associated with illegal activities. "Darknets are parts of the internet that require special programs to enter, like TOR or Freenet."

Onion Routing and Tor

• Onion Routing: This is a method used by Tor to provide anonymity by routing internet traffic through multiple encrypted layers, like an onion. "My computer connects to another computer in the Tor network, which connects to another, and so on."

• Tor (The Onion Router): This is a project that created a network of computers for use as nodes in onion routing. It allows users to browse the internet anonymously. "TOR: The Onion Router."

Dangers and Safety

• Not Inherently Dangerous: Browsing the dark web itself is not inherently dangerous if you are careful. "No, not really. The dark web is mystified in many online stories etc. But fundamentally it is very similar to surfing on the normal 'clear' web."

• Potential Dangers: The dark web can be home to illegal activities such as drug sales, fake IDs, and scams. "The dangers are getting ripped off by someone, or doing something illegal that gets you arrested."

• Malware and Hacking: While the dark web can be safer in some aspects due to anonymity, it is still possible to encounter malware and scams. "If you download files or even execute something that comes from the dark web you are on the best way into some shit."

Uses of the Dark Web

• Anonymity and Privacy: The dark web is often used by individuals and organizations to maintain anonymity, especially in oppressive regimes. "The main selling point of the dark net is to give people in oppressive regimes the possibility to access information freely."

• Illegal Activities: It is also used for various illegal activities due to the difficulty in tracing users. "The dark web is where you find sites hosting dark markets for pretty much anything you can think of."

• Whistleblowing and Journalism: Some journalists and whistleblowers use the dark web to share information securely. "The New York Times for example has a onion presence for people to share informations without the fear of being traced back."

Accessing the Dark Web

• Tor Browser: To access the dark web, you need to use a special browser like Tor Browser. "I'd actually recommend everyone download the Tor browser."

• Hidden Wiki: For those new to the dark web, the Hidden Wiki can be a starting point to find links. "Well I always go through the hidden wiki"

Myths About the Dark Web

• Deep Web and Dark Web are the Same: Many people mistakenly believe that the deep web and dark web are the same. "That the 'deep web' and 'dark web' are the same thing"

• Instant Danger: The idea that one click on the dark web can ruin your computer is often exaggerated. "You still hear people saying stuff like one click on the dark web could ruin your computer or get you hacked and all this non sense but isn't browsing onion/i2p sites safer than browsing clearnet sites?"

• Full of Horrifying Content: While there is some horrifying content, it is not as ubiquitous as often portrayed. "Actually let me explain, everywhere the dark web (not deep web) is described as some notorious place that has all these absolutely mind-blowingly illegal things."

Recommended Communities

For more discussions and information, consider visiting these communities:

• r/explainlikeimfive

• r/TOR

• r/onions