Dark Web: You must have used the internet many times, searching on Google, using social media, watching YouTube or doing online shopping. But all this is the same part of the Internet which is called Surface Web. Below this there exists a world where common users do not have access. This world is Dark Web, an internet which is full of secrets, crimes and dangers. Many people mistakenly think that the Dark Web is just a private internet, whereas the truth is much more serious than this. Let us understand this big and very dangerous digital world in detail.
What is Dark Web?
Dark Web is that part of the Internet that cannot be opened with common browsers like Chrome, Firefox or Safari. To access it, special browsers like Tor Browser, I2P or Freenet are used. The websites on this section use unique domains like “.onion”, which are completely different from the regular Internet.
The biggest specialty and danger of Dark Web is that identity remains hidden here. People who work on the Dark Web, whether good or bad, can remain anonymous. Because of this, illegal activities were born here.
What is the difference between Surface Web, Deep Web and Dark Web?
The Internet is generally divided into three parts:
Surface Web
This is the part of the Internet that we see and use every day. In this, Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, news websites, e-commerce sites, all these are visible on search engines.
Deep Web
This is the part of the Internet that search engines cannot show because it is hidden behind passwords or logins. Like bank account, email, medical records, private database. Deep Web is completely safe and legal.
Dark Web
This is a small part of the Deep Web, but the most dangerous. There is content and activities here that are not legally permitted. It opens only through a browser like Tor. Criminals use this to remain anonymous.
Why is the Dark Web so dangerous?
There are many reasons to consider the Dark Web risky. This is the place where many activities that are against the law take place. Some of these are as follows:
Buying and selling of illegal drugs and weapons
There are many “black market” stores on the Dark Web, where drugs, weapons, fake currency and even dangerous chemicals are sold.
Stolen data is sold
Here credit card information, bank account details, identities like Aadhaar-PAN, even hacked data and login credentials are sold.
Hacker’s den
Dark Web has become a place for hired hackers where they take orders for work like hacking websites, crashing servers, stealing data, spreading ransomware.
cyber crime network
There are many groups on the Dark Web where cyber criminals contact each other and make plans.
Illegal pornography and human trafficking
This is one of the most dangerous and disgusting activities of the Dark Web. Illegal materials related to children and rackets related to human trafficking are also found here.
Hitman Services
On some sites, criminals offer to harm or even murder someone for money. Due to all these reasons, Dark Web is considered the most dangerous internet zone in the world.
Is it illegal to run the dark web?
Merely visiting the Dark Web does not constitute a crime. In many countries, accessing it is not considered a complete crime because it can also be useful for privacy to some extent. But the matter is different in India. Cyber laws in India are very clear if a person accesses content that is illegal or visits a restricted website then it will be considered an offense under the IT Act. This means that visiting the Dark Web is not that much of a problem, but opening an illegal website there is a big crime and buying and selling something from there is the biggest crime.
What is the punishment for using Dark Web?
Under India’s IT Act 2000 and several IPC sections, anyone found involved in illegal activity on the Dark Web can face very severe punishment.
Watching and downloading illegal content punishable with jail up to 3 years and fine up to Rs 5 lakh.
Jail up to 7 years and heavy fine for buying and selling stolen data.
Involvement in cyber crime can result in a jail term of 10 years or more depending on the type of crime.
For purchasing drugs or weapons, punishment up to life imprisonment is possible under the Narcotics Act and Arms Act.
5–20 years in prison under the POCSO Act for crimes related to child pornography. Action can be taken even for merely opening a wrong link on the Dark Web if that link is linked to illegal content.
How can Dark Web trap you?
Many people go to the Dark Web out of curiosity, but this small mistake can become a big danger. Wrong site may accidentally open in the browser. Malware may enter your system. Hackers can take control of your phone/laptop. By tracking your IP the law can reach your doorstep. On the Dark Web you think you are anonymous but as soon as you open an illegal site, logs and browsing start being tracked.
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