The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires specific software, such as the Tor browser, to access. It is often associated with illegal activities, but there are also some surprising and lesser-known facts about it. Here are some of the most surprising facts about the dark web:

Origins and Purpose

• Developed by the US Government: The Tor (The Onion Router) project, which is the primary way to access the dark web, was originally developed by the US Navy to protect US intelligence communications online. "I believe it was created by the navy as a communication system and they realized if they were the only ones on the nodes then everyone would know it was their IPs so they made it public."

• Tool for Freedom: The dark web is used by people in oppressive countries to access censored information and communicate securely. "tor has a legitimate use for those living in oppressive countries and provides a way of accessing blocked materials or safely contacting those fearing persecution from an oppressive government - it has also been used by journalists to evade harm/espionage."

Unexpected Uses

• Honest Business Practices: Some dark web marketplaces have surprisingly good customer service. "I never used it but from what I heard, silk road merchants actually had wildly better customer service than most legit businesses."

• Filing Anonymous Reports: Major news organizations use the dark web to allow anonymous tips and whistleblowing. "A komolyabb újságok tartanak fent a darkweben keresztül elérhető felületet, ahol névtelenül lehet bejelentést tenni vagy közérdekű információkat szivárogtatni."

• Data Synchronization: The dark web can be used for secure data synchronization, especially when traditional methods are blocked by NAT. "Saját eszközök mentéséhez futtattam rajta fájlszinkronizációs szervert (Syncthing), teljesen zártan csak saját eszközök csatlakozhattak rá."

Misconceptions

• Over-Exaggerated Dangers: The dangers of the dark web are often over-exaggerated by media. "The dark net has been very over exaggerated by urban legends and things like that over the years."

• Not All Illegal: While it is known for illegal activities, there are also legal and legitimate uses. "Honestly most drug markets on the dark web and the encrypted apps are really well run and very honest."

Personal Experiences

• Mixed Feelings: Some users find the dark web less interesting than expected. "The allure always wore off quick. Was never as fun or interesting as I thought it would be."

• Disturbing Content: Others have encountered disturbing content that made them avoid it. "The charm of seeing endless drugs wears off when you stumble upon the vast amount of snuff films and CP on the site."

Fun Facts

• Hidden Gems: You can find unique and quirky content, like a collection of recipes. "Sometimes it's really questionable, and sometimes you find a guy who for some reason just really wanted a dark web website for all his recipes."

• Transgender Hormone Access: Transgender individuals can access hormones without a prescription. "Transgender folks can get hormones without a prescription."

Subreddits to Explore

• r/TOR

• r/DarkWeb

• r/NoStupidQuestions

These subreddits can provide more insights and personal experiences if you're interested in learning more about the dark web.