Many people assume the deep web and the dark web refer to the same thing, but in reality, the dark web is just a small subset of the deep web.
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The deep web is any part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines, and it accounts for roughly 90% of all the internet's content. The Dark Web is a hidden and encrypted portion of the Deep Web that makes up only about 6% of the internet’s content.
Dark Web vs Deep Web vs Surface Web
The internet is often visualized in layers, each with varying degrees of visibility, access, and risk:
Surface Web: The public-facing part of the internet that is indexed by search engines. This includes websites like blogs, online stores, and news outlets.
Deep Web: Refers to any online content that isn’t indexed by search engines and is hidden behind authentication, logins, or paywalls. This includes online banking, internal company systems, and private databases.
Dark Web: A small, encrypted part of the deep web that is accessible only with anonymizing software such as the Tor (The Onion Router). It is designed for anonymity and is often associated with illegal activity.
What is the Deep Web?
The deep web refers to all parts of the internet that are not indexed by search engines like Google or Bing. Unlike public web pages that anyone can find with a simple search, deep web content is hidden behind login forms, encryption, or restricted access. It includes everything from private databases and academic research to your personal email inbox or corporate intranet.
While the term “deep web” may sound mysterious, it actually makes up most of the internet, estimated at around 90% of all web content. This layer exists to protect sensitive data and ensure that only authorized users can view or interact with certain information.
Common Examples of Deep Web Content:
Online banking portals that require secure login credentials
Medical records stored in hospital databases
Subscription services, such as premium news archives or video streaming services.
Corporate intranets and collaboration tools like SharePoint or Confluence
Cloud storage accounts and email platforms
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is the hidden part of the internet that can only be accessed via specific tools like Tor (The Onion Router) or I2P (Invisible Internet Project). These tools anonymize user traffic by routing it through multiple encrypted nodes, making it difficult to trace identities or locations.
While the dark web was originally developed to provide an anonymous and encrypted network to support journalists, whistleblowers, and dissidents, it has also become a marketplace for cybercriminals. It has become infamous for providing illegal content like drugs, stolen data, and credentials, among other illicit items.
6 Key Differences Between the Deep Web and the Dark Web
Here’s a quick comparison of the deep web vs dark web to highlight their key differences:
Feature
Deep Web
Dark Web
Accessibility
Requires login, specific URL, or authentication
Requires Tor browser or similar anonymity software
Indexing
Not indexed by search engines
Not indexed, and intentionally hidden
Usage
Legitimate business and personal services
Mix of legal and illegal activities
Legality
Mostly legal
Frequently used for illegal activities
Examples
Banking portals, academic research, email accounts
Darknet markets, whistleblower sites, hacking forums
Risks
Low, with proper access controls
High cybersecurity risks and threat exposure
How to safely access the Dark Web
Use a VPN: A VPN will conceal your IP address and encrypt your traffic, and add an extra layer of anonymity.
Download the Tor Browser: Tor is a free browser that routes your traffic through multiple encrypted servers, which helps protect your identity and location from surveillance or tracking. Only install the Tor browser from https://www.torproject.org.
Disable Scripts and Plugins: JavaScript and browser plugins can be exploited to reveal your identity. Tor disables many by default, but make sure to double-check your settings before browsing.
Don’t Maximize Your Browser Window: Keeping your browser window maximized can reveal your screen size, which can be an identifier that can be used in browser fingerprinting. Always use the default window size provided by Tor.
Tips to stay safe on the Dark Web
Avoid Clicking Random Links: Stick to verified directories or curated lists of .onion sites (such as the Hidden Wiki) and be extremely cautious when clicking links.
Never Share Personal Information: Do not log in to personal accounts and avoid using your real name or any usernames, emails, or passwords that you normally use.
Stay Away from Illegal Content: Even browsing or accidentally viewing illicit materials can have legal consequences. Be mindful of what you click.
Keep Security Software Up to Date: Even though you're on the dark web, antivirus and anti-malware tools are essential for protecting your device from threats like keyloggers or remote access trojans.
Avoid Downloads: Don’t download anything from the Dark Web, as they are unlikely to be safe. Downloading files could introduce backdoors to your network or even infect your device with malware.
Why the Dark Web Matters in Cybersecurity
The dark web plays a critical role in cybersecurity because it serves as a hidden marketplace and communication hub for cybercriminals. This anonymous layer of the internet enables the sale and exchange of stolen data, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, intellectual property, and sensitive corporate information. It’s also where zero-day exploits, malware kits, ransomware-as-a-service tools, and phishing templates are bought and sold.
Enhancing Cybersecurity Measures
To effectively protect against the threats associated with both the deep web and the dark web, organizations should consider implementing the following cybersecurity measures:
Threat Intelligence: Invest in advanced dark web monitoring tools or services that provide real-time alerts on potential threats.
Data Encryption: Ensure sensitive data is encrypted both in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized access.
Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to limit the spread of malware and contain potential breaches.
Regular Updates: Keep all software and systems up to date with the latest security patches and updates.
User Education: Continuously educate users about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices.
Trend Vision One - Dark web monitoring
Cyber criminals phish users and exploit vulnerabilities in websites, databases, networks, and web apps to gain access to confidential data, such as user credentials. This information is then often traded or sold on underground online platforms, commonly known as the dark web.
Trend Micro specialists constantly monitor the internet, particularly the dark web, for leaked data. Once such data is identified, it is validated and ingested into Cyber Risk Exposure Management. When you register a domain in Trend Vision One, a scan is performed to verify whether the domain user data has been compromised by a leak—with historical data back to 2010. Afterward, Cyber Risk Exposure Management performs additional scans on a weekly basis.