deep web

What is the Deep Web?

The deep web is the internet that’s not indexed by search engines like Google. The term is also used to describe sites that require a membership (like Fidelity Investments or a private database) or are hosted on darknets. While you can use traditional web browsers to visit the surface web, the deep web requires specialized software to access. The software is called Tor, and it connects you to a network of servers that route your web traffic to other “nodes” (other computers operated by people using the Tor service). This anonymizing technology makes it nearly impossible for someone listening in on your connection or the website you’re visiting to track where the site is hosted. Because of the anonymity provided by Tor, some parts of the deep web are notorious for selling illegal goods. One of the most popular sites was Silk Road, which operated for two years before its operator, Ross Ulbricht, was arrested for running a marketplace that sold everything from illegal drugs to weapons to stolen credit card information and child pornography. Despite its negative reputation, the deep and dark web is an important part of the internet. It allows companies and individuals to host content privately, and it can be a valuable resource when data breaches occur. Businesses need to be prepared to deal with the consequences of sensitive information making its way into the wild, and that includes monitoring for breaches and implementing processes and tools to respond quickly when it happens.