FlashGet Kids FlashGet Kids

What is the dark web and how to keep your family safe

Dark web refers to an obscure and coded section of the internet that doesn’t work on ordinary search engine or browsers. It can be only opened with special devices such as Tor browser. The dark web is especially famous because of its anonymity and encryption due to both illegal and unlawful actions. Learning about the dark web, its threats and precautions is essential to ensure that families will not be subjected to bad content and criminal activities.

What is the dark web?

It is an obscure part of the internet, which exists on the networks known as darknets. These darknets are overlay networks, which operate and utilize the existing internet infrastructure, but demand particular software, setup, and permissions to access. It is part of the larger deep web, which contains internet data that regular search engines cannot index. Nonetheless, The dark web stands out because it is intentionally hidden and designed to keep users anonymous.

  • Anonymity: The users and web operators both are anonymous by use of layered encryption and routing.
  • Encryption: Data traffic on the dark web is encrypted multiple times before it reaches its destination.
  • Specialized Access: This is software in the form of the Tor browser that involves onion routing.
  • Hidden Websites: Dark web sites use “.onion” domains and can only be accessed through special browsers, not regular ones.
the dark web

The dark web originated from technology once used by governments for secure communication. It is now used in various purposes such as privacy safeguards to political dissidents and even market places of illegal merchandise. It is infamous, but it also serves legitimate purposes for secure and anonymous communication.

Deep web versus dark web

The deep web is more than 90 percent of the total internet content with most of the content not being indexed by search engines. This is in the daily online routine activities which include:

  • Email accounts
  • Financial Websites and online banking.
  • Personal accounts on social media.
  • Paywalled information
  • Cloud storage and academic databases.

Most content on the deep web takes only proper credentials or subscription and specific browsers. The deep web contains valuable, authentic information that requires authorization or logins to access.

The dark web on the other hand is a lesser, limited section of the deep web. The dark web is accessible only with the help of special software such as Tor to access .onion domain websites and other hidden services. It employs encryption and routing of the network to obstruct the identity and location of the user. The dark web contains both legal and illegal content and activity as opposed to the deep web which is usually safe and legal to access.

The intellectual dark web

The intellectual dark web

Intellectual dark web is the name used to describe a loosely organized network of public commentators and thinkers that talk about debatable issues and question the mainstream. This side of it is not about cloaked networks or encrypted internet information. The intellectual dark web can be found on the open web in many cases in the form of podcasts, articles, and videos. It is necessary to differentiate the deep web from it to avoid confusion.

How to access the dark web?

Users cannot access the dark web with browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. It needs special software and settings, which are mainly in the Tor browser. Tor allows a user to access the internet anonymously and it can rely on the use of several encrypted relays in different parts of the world.

Is your child’s online presence secure?

Take action before it’s too late!

Try it free
  • Get Tor browser in the official Tor Project site and install the browser.
  • Access to the services of the dark websites with a TLD ending in .onion.
  • Rely on online safety measures like VPNs to protect personal details.

Dark web access is also available in other networks such as the I2P and Freenet but less prevalent in comparison to Tor. To reduce risks, users need to be knowledgeable on technical and security issues.

The role of the tor browser and onion sites

Tor browser is also essential to the acquisition of the dark web since it uses onion routing. Onion routing has layers of encrypted data, such as layers of an onion. The traffic is randomly passed via a series of nodes, where each node has to decrypt a single layer of the data which anonymises the source and destination of the data. Tor is a decentralized network that conceals the IP addresses and the location of the user and makes it possible to use the hidden services in a safe manner.

The websites have the domain suffix of.onion as opposed to.com or.org. Unless they are using Tor or other specialized applications, there is no way to access these sites and keep its contents undisclosed to regular search engines and browsers.

Is the dark web illegal to access?

In the majority of jurisdictions, it is not illegal to access the dark web. Browsing through the hidden sites with the help of such a program as Tor is not usually prohibited by the law in any country. The openness surrounding the technology demonstrates that there are many legal applications of the technology, such as privacy, freedom of speech, and secure communications.

Distinguishing legal access from illegal activities

Although it is not unlawful to access the dark web, a lot of activities carried out on it are illegal acts such as:

Is the dark web illegal to access?
  • Purchasing or selling drugs and guns.
  • Buying stolen financial and data information.
  • Distribution of child exploitation content.
  • Conducting cyberattacks.

All of these activities have dire legal outcomes. Governments and law enforcement agencies monitor the dark web and prosecute criminal activities. The users need to be aware that engaging in illicit activity through the dark web is a punishable crime through the law.

On the other hand, some of the legitimate purposes are communication of journalists, whistleblower communication and social networking anonymously.

Key risks and dangers associated with the dark web

The dark web poses a lot of threats to the general population, minors and vulnerable members of the population. These risks include:

  • Viewing of illegal contents in the form of drugs, weaponry, violent visuals and pornographic content.
  • Cybercriminals have been targeting the theft of personal or financial information via phishing or scam on the dark web.
  • Experience of ransomware, malware, and other malicious programs that can infect computers.
  • Being hired or being manipulated into criminal plans or being in dangerous activities.
  • Unsafe transactions or data leaks may result in a financial loss or identity theft through the dark web.
Key risks and dangers associated

The emergence of dark web marketplaces is on the increase with the release of authoritative reports such as those released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Despite law enforcement shutting down many sites, the dark web ecosystem continues with new risks.

Minors are especially vulnerable because they can accidentally get access to the content of the dark web or become enticed by hackers. Families must stay alert to protect children from dark web risks.

Protecting your family from dark web risks

The solution to protection involves education, surveillance, and technology. Parents and guardians should:

  • Parents and guardians should teach children about internet risks, especially hidden and dangerous websites.
  • Ensure a free conversation on Internet activities and experiences.
  • Block unsafe sites and oppose browsing with the help of parental control software.
  • Establish rules of safe internet usage with restrictions to device and content.
  • Promote password discipline and sensitive exchange of personal information on the internet.
  • Security tools like antivirus software and VPNs can protect against malware.

All in all, you need safety tools to protect yourself and your family from the Dark Web Risks. Tools like FlashGet Kids can be a lifesaver when it comes to limiting access to dangerous content on the dark web. It assists in monitoring the usage of the internet, blocking of harmful sites and notifying guardians of suspicious activities. Nevertheless, no system can be absolutely safe, and your active participation is a must paired with the safety tools.

FlashGet Kids features

Conclusion

The dark web is an encrypted part of the internet that is complex and meant to offer the users anonymity. It harbors a great variety of content, including entirely lawful personal communications and criminal organizations. Although there is no particular criminality of using the dark web in itself, it is associated with risks that harm people and families.

Parents and guardians should understand the nature and dangers of the dark web to ensure online safety. Education, open communication, and proper technological protection such as FlashGet Kids develop critical levels of protection against the dark web exposure.

FAQ

Is your personal information on the dark web?

Hackers often buy and sell stolen data from breaches on dark web forums. Users can minimize risks by using secure passwords and VPNs.

Can the dark web be shut down?

It has a decentralized and resilient infrastructure. Law enforcement can close rogue networks, but the fundamental networks such as Tor remain and are difficult to put out of business.

FlashGet Kids
FlashGet Kids
Free download. Simple setup. Trusted protection.
Try it free
author icon
Zoe Carter
Zoe Carter, Chief writer at FlashGet Kids.
Zoe covers technology and modern parenting, focusing on the impact and application of digital tools for families. She has reported extensively on online safety, digital trends, and parenting, including her contributions to FlashGet Kids. With years of experience, Zoe shares practical insights to help parents make informed decisions in today’s digital world.
linkedin

Leave a reply

Table of Content

FlashGet Kids
FlashGet Kids
parental control
Free download to experience all the features for child protection.
Free download
FlashGet Kids
FlashGet Kids
parental control
Free download
Free download to experience all the features for child protection.