Cyber Security

What is the Dark Web?

Dark Web 2025:
What You Need to Know

The term “dark web” tends to evoke images of shadowy hackers, secret marketplaces, and hidden networks of criminal activity. It’s the kind of phrase that instantly raises eyebrows and fuels myths across movies, documentaries, SEO discussions, and internet forums. Many people are even afraid to Google it—worried they might “accidentally” stumble upon something illegal.

But how much of what we think we know about the dark web is actually true?

In this comprehensive guide, our cybersecurity experts in Perth break down what the dark web really is, how it works, who uses it (and why), and how you can protect yourself from its risks. Whether you’re a business owner, IT manager, or simply a curious internet user, understanding the dark web is essential to safeguarding your online presence.

What Is the Dark Web?

In simple terms, the dark web is a section of the internet that isn’t indexed by traditional search engines like Google or Bing. You can’t reach it through standard browsers such as Chrome or Safari. Instead, it exists as a network of encrypted websites that require special software to access – most notably, the Tor browser.

The dark web forms a part of the deep web, which includes all online content that’s not indexed by search engines. Examples of the deep web include:

These are all perfectly legitimate – they’re simply protected behind logins or permissions.

However, the dark web is a much smaller subset of the deep web. It’s intentionally hidden, uses strong encryption to mask identities, and is often associated with illegal or unethical activity.

How the Dark Web Works

The dark web runs primarily on the Tor (The Onion Router) network, which routes internet traffic through multiple servers (or “nodes”) worldwide. This “onion-layer” encryption process hides the origin and destination of the data, making it nearly impossible to trace users or websites.

When you access a website on the dark web, your traffic passes through a chain of volunteer-run nodes, each encrypting the data multiple times. The final layer – the “exit node” – decrypts the information and delivers it to the destination site. No single node knows both the sender and receiver, which creates near-total anonymity.

Websites on the dark web typically have a .onion domain extension (e.g., example.onion). These sites aren’t accessible via regular browsers; only tools like Tor can read and render them.

While this system was originally built to protect privacy, it has since become a double-edged sword – enabling both legitimate and illegal activities.

The History of the Dark Web

The dark web didn’t emerge overnight. Its foundations trace back decades to the 1960s and 1970s, when the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) – the U.S. Department of Defense’s research branch – developed ARPANET, an early form of the modern internet.

By the 1990s, researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory were working on ways to communicate securely online, away from surveillance. Their solution was the Tor Project, designed to allow intelligence officers and activists to exchange information anonymously.

In 2002, the Tor network went public, offering privacy tools for anyone. While Tor was built to protect free speech and privacy, criminals quickly recognized its potential for concealing illegal activity.

Today, Tor remains the most well-known gateway to the dark web, used by millions of people worldwide – from journalists and whistleblowers to hackers and cybercriminals.

How Do People Access the Dark Web?

History of the dark web Computing Australia Group

Accessing the dark web requires specialized software, the most common being the Tor Browser, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Once installed, users can connect to the Tor network and navigate to .onion websites using their unique URLs.

However, there’s a catch: dark web addresses aren’t indexed or easily searchable. Websites often appear and disappear frequently – many only last a few weeks before being shut down or replaced. To find them, users often rely on community forums, paste sites, or directories, which themselves can be unreliable or dangerous.

Some users also combine Tor with a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for an added layer of anonymity. But even with multiple privacy tools, there’s no such thing as complete safety on the dark web.

What Happens on the Dark Web?

It’s true that the dark web has a reputation for criminal activity – and not without reason. Some of the most common uses include:

1. Black Markets

Illegal marketplaces sell items such as drugs, stolen data, counterfeit currencies, weapons, and even hacking tools. Transactions are conducted using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Monero to obscure the money trail.

2. Hacking and Cybercrime Services

Hackers for hire, ransomware kits, and phishing tools can all be found on the dark web. Data leaks and credentials stolen from data breaches are also commonly traded.

3. Forums and Communities

There are thousands of private forums where hackers, activists, or political dissidents exchange ideas, strategies, or information away from public scrutiny.

4. Whistleblowing and Free Speech

On the flip side, the dark web also enables whistleblowers, journalists, and activists to share information safely. In oppressive regimes where censorship is strict, Tor allows access to global news and communication channels.

5. Hidden Services

Many legitimate entities – including Facebook, The New York Times, and even the CIA – host dark web versions of their sites to provide secure access for people in surveillance-heavy regions.

Is It Risky to Browse the Dark Web?

Absolutely. Even if you access it “just out of curiosity,” visiting the dark web carries significant cybersecurity and legal risks.

Key Risks Include:

Malware and Viruses: Many .onion sites host malicious scripts or downloadable files that can install spyware or ransomware on your device.
Phishing and Scams: Fake marketplaces and forums are rampant. Users can easily be tricked into revealing personal data or cryptocurrency wallets.
Law Enforcement Monitoring: Agencies like the FBI and Europol actively track illegal networks. Simply being connected to certain domains could trigger investigation.
Legal Consequences: Possession or interaction with illegal content, even unintentionally, can result in severe penalties.
Identity Theft: If you log in or share personal details, your data could end up sold or exploited by cybercriminals.

In short: the dark web isn’t a playground. It’s a high-risk environment with minimal protection or recourse if something goes wrong.

Why Does the Dark Web Exist?

It’s easy to assume the dark web exists solely for criminal purposes – but that’s not entirely accurate. The same anonymity that conceals illegal trade also protects individuals from censorship and persecution.

Legitimate reasons for using the dark web include:

Freedom of Speech: Activists and journalists use Tor to bypass censorship and communicate safely.
Whistleblowing: Platforms like SecureDrop allow whistleblowers to share documents without exposing their identity.
Privacy Protection: Some users turn to the dark web simply to escape corporate tracking or government surveillance.
Research and Cybersecurity: Ethical hackers and cybersecurity experts use it to monitor threats or identify stolen data.

The dark web, therefore, embodies a paradox – it can be both a tool for liberty and a weapon for lawlessness, depending on how it’s used.

The Thin Silver Lining: Benefits of the Dark Web

While the majority of stories surrounding the dark web are negative, there are notable benefits:

1. Privacy Preservation:

For those living under strict censorship laws, the dark web provides a rare opportunity to speak freely and access global information securely.

2. Anonymous Communication:

Victims of abuse or persecution can seek help without revealing their identity.

3. Cybersecurity Intelligence:

Security professionals use the dark web to monitor stolen credentials, leaked data, and emerging cyber threats.

4. Innovation in Encryption:

The technologies that power the dark web – like onion routing and decentralized hosting – also inspire legitimate privacy-focused tools.

How to Protect Yourself from Dark Web Threats

Even if you never plan to visit the dark web, your personal data could already be circulating there from a past data breach. Here’s how to protect yourself and your business:

1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Avoid reusing passwords across accounts. Consider a password manager to generate and store complex credentials.

2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain access even if passwords are compromised.

3. Monitor for Data Breaches

Use tools like Have I Been Pwned or professional dark web monitoring services to check if your information has been leaked.

4. Keep Software Updated

Outdated software is a common entry point for hackers. Regular updates close vulnerabilities.

5. Educate Employees

In businesses, human error is often the weakest link. Regular cybersecurity training helps reduce risks.

6. Partner with a Cybersecurity Provider

Professional IT support teams (like ours in Perth) can continuously monitor for breaches, deploy protection tools, and ensure compliance with data regulations.

We hope you’ve found some answers to this ‘mysterious’ thing. Continue reading our blogs to understand more about cybersecurity issues. Or, if you need help to set up a good cybersecurity system, contact us or email us at cybersecurity@computingaustralia.group. If you need a website that follows all guidelines, is secured, optimised, and discoverable for search engines, we can do that too. Contact The Computing Australia Group, our group company, focused on providing Web development, Coding, SEO and Creative Services for Western Australia businesses.

Jargon Buster

Encryption: The process of converting data into a code to prevent access is called encryption.

ARPA: The Advanced Research Projects Agency is a United States Defense Department agency responsible for developing new military technologies.

Bitcoin: Bitcoin is a digital currency without an administrator that can be transferred from one user to another without intermediaries.

Dark Web 2025:What You Need to Know