deep web

What is the Deep Web?

The deep web, also known as the invisible web or hidden web, refers to parts of the World Wide Web that are not indexed by standard web search-engine programs. Unlike the surface web, which is accessible to anyone with an Internet connection, the deep web requires login credentials and authorization to access its content. This includes everything from paywalled services like Netflix, private databases (like the files on your laptop) and your email mailboxes to academic journals and research papers. You may access some deep web content routinely without realizing it, including your office intranet, direct messages on social media or private photos on Facebook. In this age of privacy concerns, the deep web and dark web offer a safe alternative to sharing private information online – if you know how to use it. Most people who have accessed deep web content do so for legitimate reasons such as their work, social networking or e-commerce. But the deeper web can be used for more illicit activities such as downloading and illegally sharing movies, music or other digital content. Some experts estimate that the deep web is about 400 to 500 times bigger than the surface web. This is largely due to its public nature and the fact that traditional search engines cannot index it.