Welcome to DR's note, your weekly dose of knowledge from Circuit Stitch.

 This week we talk about the Dark Web.

    We hear about the dark web from different places like commercials trying to spook you into thinking your personal info is on it.  But let us look at Wikipedia, as I like the way the definition is on there.  The dark web is the World Wide Web content that exists on dark nets.  Dark nets are overlay networks that use the internet but require specific software, configurations, or authorization to access.  Basically, it means that the Dark Web exists in the same space as the regular internet that you know and love.  You can't get there though by just googling take me to the Dark Web, no, you need to install special software that will be able to take you to these dark nets.  One such software that you can download and install is called the Tor browser.  The Tor browser uses the Tor dark net to explore the different websites, there are other dark nets like Freenet, I2P, and Riffle.  To conclude this section, I think it is worth stating that there is a difference between the Dark Web and the Deep Web.  The Deep Web is parts of the web not indexed or searchable by search engines, basically, they want to remain as anonymous as possible and only if you know how to get to the address is how to get to it.  Most Deep websites aren't something you want to go to anyway.

    So, what type of content is on the Dark Web?  So, one of the most prolific things on the Dark Web is CP, that is all I am going to say, and will not be going into it further as it is not something that needs discussing here.  Next would be black markets where you can buy anything from fakes IDs, drugs, guns, cyber-attacks, and so much more.  You can also find social media, message boards, and bitcoin services.  Bitcoin is the currency of the Dark Web; the biggest reason also ties into why people use the Dark Web.

    Why do people use the Dark Web?  Anonymity, plain and simple.  When you access a dark net, your identity and location are anonymous to an extent.  With the encryption used you are by all accounts anonymous, but if you were to log into something like Facebook then it kind of defeats the purpose of using the Dark Web.  I mean you can create an account on other sites while using the Dark Web and still remain anonymous, but if you log into something that was created on the clear net (regular internet) then there was no reason why you even are using the Dark Web, I hope that made sense to you. 

    I hope this has opened your eyes to what the Dark Web is and taught you about what can happen just below the surface of your internet.  As always, if you have questions please comment below.  If you have any ideas for future DR notes, please let me know, I'd love to hear about them.  Thank you and have a great week.