Dark Web?
Several financial security firms are now advertising that they can monitor the "dark web" for intrusions on our privacy. What is the "dark web"? Can anyone explain this to me?
DannyC Surface Web: This portion of the web, which is also known as the Visible Web, Indexed Web, Lightnet or Clearnet, is easily accessible for everyone. You do not need any special software to access it, and it houses all of the sites you frequently visit including Facebook, Netflix, Twitter, Tumblr, Amazon and others. Everything that takes place on the Surface Web is tracked and traceable.
Dark Web: It's likely that you've never seen this portion of the web before. The Dark Web is an encrypted network of "Darknets" that makes up a portion of the Deep Web. Accessing this hidden section of the web requires a special encryption software called Tor.
Deep Web: The Deep Web is often used as a synonym for the Dark Web, but they're actually two separate things that are not interchangeable. In its simplest terms, the Deep Web is basically online data that is not registered with any type of search engine (and therefore can't be found by a web search). This information is typically stored on the private networks of corporations.
Cowgirl1 The phrase "Dark Web" probably sends shivers up your spine, but really, it's just a label that has been assigned to this portion of the internet that lies just beyond what the average internet user sees. That's what makes it so easy to believe some common myths about what the Dark Web is, and what it does. Here are five of the biggest myths out there.
Myth #1 - Everything on the Dark Web is illegal
Like many things, there is nothing wrong with the Dark Web. In fact, there's nothing "Dark" about the true intent of the Dark Web at all.
Originally, this network was designed with privacy, security and anonymity in mind. You might notice that these are all things we frequently warn you about here on Komando.com: Browse anonymously, stop Google and Facebook from tracking your every move, use secure passwords, etc.
The Dark Web itself isn't illegal. In fact, even legitimate sites such as Facebook have sites or operating versions on the Dark Web, and many people do use it for what it was originally intended. That is, to browse the web without being tracked by their internet service provider, web services or even the government.
However, we can't pretend that the Dark Web isn't home to some pretty horrific things.
A thread on Reddit titled, "What's the worst thing you've seen on Dark Web" is riddled with comments that describe unimaginable crimes and graphic content. Evidence of kidnappings, hitmen for hire, prostitution, child pornography, drugs, guns... you name it.
Myth #2 - The Dark Web is more massive than the Surface Web
This is why it's important to understand the correct terminology when talking about the Dark Web. While it's true that the Deep Web is estimated to be around 500 times larger than the Surface Web, the Dark Web is actually believed to be much smaller. Some might even call it a Dark Nook in comparison.
There are billions of websites available on the Surface Web; however, the Dark Web is estimated to have somewhere between 7,000 to 30,000 sites that are hidden from everyday access.
It's a marketing attempt at getting you to pay them for false security on the internet.
Steven It's basically where bad things happen on the internet.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_web
Jesse341 The dark web is not your typical www.google.com. It is a hashed site that you can only access through a VPN or a TOR router (This is too complicated to explain see google). Basically you cannot get to these sites without your computer using proxy servers. Yes, it can be monitored via these credit services however the majority of your information if it has been compromised can be found via a simple google search to see "how to check if my information has been hacked" Hope this helps.
yourFIBERguyAll bad things happen on the internet....the internet will be the downfall of life as we know it.. Keep sharing all of your crap on facebook or whatever web site you choose.
noreaster 
rleaf Imagine if we were in the 1980’s and someone from the highest levels of the CIA told you that in 30 years a few keystrokes and a persons name could give you all their information. Their DOB, family, friends, job, education, pictures of memorable events that span back years, who you’re in a relationship with, etc. Now what if they also told you that the citizens themselves would be the ones providing these weekly, sometimes hourly updates on their lives and whereabouts? Pretty scary stuff.
But we just call it Facebook.
Cowgirl1 that was a great summary.
Noreaster, while I agree frankly it's just too late. All of our information is out there whether you're on FB or not. It's out there from companies that have had data breaches - accidentally or not.
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