Difference between deep web and darknet

The terms deep web and dark web/darknet are often used interchangeably, but there are important differences between the two. The Dark Web and the Deep Web are two different concepts. Both the Deep Web and the Darknet are a kind of invisible world and are not easy to find. In this blog we will explain the differences between the Dark Web and the Deep Web.

Deep web

The deep web is a large, unknown world that is not part of the World Wide Web we know. It is a hidden world only accessible to people who are authorized for it. Much of this data is personal and not as exciting as you might think. Think of the deep web as company networks, private Facebook groups, or our medical records. Something you can't ''just'' access, but information that must be stored online somewhere.

So the deep web is less ''dark'' than it sounds. But then what is the big difference with the Darknet or Dark Web?

Darknet & Dark Web

The Darknet and Dark Web are synonyms. So when we talk about the dark web, we're automatically also talking about the Darknet. The Dark Web is not one central place on the internet, we know several forms of the Dark Web such as the TOR network or the I2P network. What these networks have in common is the level of anonymity and privacy these browsers offer.

The Dark Web networks make it possible to surf the Dark Web without your location or identity being revealed. The Dark Web is often used to conceal illegal activities, such as drug trafficking and other forms of cybercrime. Yet many people are also mistaken about the dark web. This platform offers a high degree of anonymity and privacy, which attracts crime.

Still, it is also interesting for ethical purposes. For instance, in some countries journalists are not allowed to say or write everything they want, or certain websites are banned in some countries (think of news sites like the New York Times). With a Dark Web browser you still have the option to visit these websites anonymously!

The conclusion

The Deep Web encompasses all data and information that is stored internally somewhere and that only authorized persons can access. So the doctor who can look at your medical record and the specialist in the hospital who subsequently wants to view the GP's findings. Also think of the internal environment of the company you work for or your own private photo storage in the cloud.

The Dark Web facilitates more anonymity on the internet. With a Dark Web browser such as the Tor Browser you can anonymously visit both ''normal'' websites and Dark Web websites. Dark web websites cannot be visited with our normal browser.

Want to know more about the best-known Dark Web browser? Read more about the TOR browser on the TOR website itself! (YES it is legal to have a dark web browser on your computer ;))