Each time the message passes through a new computer, a level of encryption is removed, but the entire relay can be very difficult to track. Instead, it is sent through an elaborate relay of other computers operated by Tor users. When a person browsing the dark web searches for something, that search does not immediately reach its intended destination. These layers of protection act like the layers of an onion, which is how Tor got its name. Tor is free to download and functions by heavily wrapping each sender’s communications in layers of protective encryption. The dark web is generally reached by using dedicated software called Tor, which is an acronym for “The Onion Router.” Tor itself is not the dark web, but instead a means to access both the open web (what we traditionally think of as the internet) and the dark web without activity or identity being tracked. It is true that a fair amount of illegal activity takes place on the dark web, but there are also a number of perfectly legitimate reasons to use it.Ī new way to protect your data and devices with Microsoft 365 Learn More How do I Access the Dark Web? It can be abused or appreciated for what it is: an anonymous space on the internet. The dark web may be painted as an ominous forum for criminals, but that is not necessarily true. Accessing the dark web requires software that keeps things anonymous, and the term “dark web” is a nod to the fact that things are hidden and secretive. This happens due to encryption and routing content through multiple web servers to keep its true origin hidden. The dark web provides anonymity by keeping all communication private. It cannot be reached with regular search engines or browsers, and instead requires the use of specialized software. The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden. The deep web is made of pages that can be accessed with a regular browser but are usually behind a paywall or require login credentials. The surface web contains the pages you might regularly browse.

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