Let us warm up to the new age of cyber threats! Global societies have surpassed an era of cyber norms that were not serving them anymore. It is time to counter these attacks, but here appears the Dark Web! The worldwide business landscape has leveraged massively from artificially intelligent processes and technologies; doing their bit to automate the entire experience. It is a well-known fact that with AI evolution, comes cybersecurity threats; that pose a major hurdle in the smooth functioning of the entire business arena.

Today, the Dark Web Intelligence Market is expected to expand to USD 15.53 billion in 2024; growing at a CAGR of 8.83% through 2031 (marketresearchintellect.com). The rising adoption of Dark web intelligence across sectors such as healthcare, automotive, electronics, and consumer goods are the biggest pivots of this growth. Adding to the same, the increasing need for efficiency and the introduction of innovative products are further instigating global market expansion.

Qualified Ethical hackers have become a necessity for every business today. Cybersecurity experts loaded with credible ethical hacking certifications can guarantee a secure haven for global business giants. With so much going on in the background, it is essential to reveal the behind-the-scenes of the Dark Web and what it entails for the global cyber future.

What is the Dark Web?

As the name suggests, the Dark Web is a small part of the internet (maybe 5%) that constitutes hidden sites that can only be accessed by the Tor browser; and cannot be found through conventional web browsers. The Dark Web sites use encryption software so that the visitors and owners can remain anonymous; breeding numerous illegal activities. However, this is not designed for cybercriminals. The deep web and dark web comprise 96% of the internet, although the dark web is believed to have a far smaller share than the deep web (Preyproject.com).

What can you find on the Dark Web?

The dark web is used for illicit and even illegal purposes. These include the buying and selling of illegal drugs, weapons, stolen credit card numbers, fake passports, firearms, passwords, and stolen identities, as well as the trading of illegal pornography and other potentially harmful materials.

Why do people use the Dark Web?

• Journalists- Secure communication and share sensitive information with sources or organizations without fear of retaliation
• Political protesters and activists- Dissent and communicate without government censorship in countries with limited internet access
• Privacy-conscious individuals- Seek anonymity online for everyday browsing and communication
• Users- Seeking medical advice without revealing their identity

What are the probable benefits- Do we need the Dark Web?

However, the dark web network is a small hidden part of the deep web; it can be useful for some people to protect their privacy in ways the surface web often fails to do:

Users evading government censorship can share information about what is happening in their country. The dark web assists by:

• Protecting stakeholders
• Accessing information
• Securing information
• Limiting damage from data breaches
• Gathering information for cybersecurity
• Undermining cyber risks
• Round-the-clock surveillance

Dark Web Network Facts:

The dark web is a double-edged sword; as it provides legitimate benefits for some users; yet it carries the burden of malicious security risks. Some of the core facts involve:

• The size of the hidden web, known as the Deep Web, is around 400 times larger than the Surface Web (Norton)
• The dark web is only a small section of the deep web (Spiceworks)
• 6.7% of users access the Dark Web intending to use it for illegal purposes (ResearchGate)

FAQs:

• Is it illegal to access the Dark Web?

  It is not illegal to visit the dark web, but you can face criminal charges if you use the dark web to sell or purchase illegal or illegitimate goods or services.

• Are the Deep Web, Dark Web, and Dark Net the same?

  The deep web is the part of the internet not fully accessible through standard search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. This includes pages that were not indexed, fee-for-service sites, private databases, and the dark web. The dark web is a hidden network that requires a special browser to access. The deep web is not indexed by web crawlers, while the dark web is intentionally kept hidden. However, the dark net is an overlay network within the internet that can only be accessed with specific software, configurations, and authorization.

• Who controls the Dark Web?

  The dark web is unregulated, inferring that it is run and upheld by a vast network of individuals around the globe. No one is responsible for setting rules and ensuring their adherence.