In the world of the internet, the term “Web” most commonly refers to the WWW (World Wide Web), Which is known for the online library where all kinds of information are available and can be accessed via the internet using websites, This information can be in any form, like articles, videos, Audios, images, etc.
To use a website, we use a web browser, and in a web browser, there is a search engine like Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, Brave, etc. to access the internet library via the websites.
Just like you are reading this blog, this information is available in the library, and you are accessing it by using your browser. Your browser can be Google, Mozilla Firefox, Brave Browser, etc. depending on your preferences.
Well, did you know the internet you use via Google, Bing, and other types of engines is just 5% of the internet? If not, then let me tell you that the layers of the web are divided into three parts: the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web. So the rest of the internet is available on the deep web and the dark web. Now let us discuss these web in detail.
Table of Contents
Layers of the Web
- Surface Web
- Deep Web
- Dark Web
Surface Web
The surface web is the top layer of the web. As you can see in the given image or diagram, the top level of the iceberg is just 5%, and the rest of it is more than 90%, which is huge. The surface web is mainly designed for the normal public who can easily get access to internet resources via the internet.
In this layer, you’ll find a website for reading the news and articles, connecting on social media, shopping, accessing information, conducting business, and much more, which is also known as the normal web and often referred to as the “Clearnet” or “Visible Web,” because anyone can access this layer of the web easily and do the basic things like read articles, watch videos, make social media connections, shop online, and more.
Now, let us go to the deep web, which is deeper than the surface web. Let’s see…
Deep Web
The deep web is a critical layer of the internet beneath the surface web. This layer of the web is a hidden section of the internet that is not easily accessible to everyone. The content of the website is not crawled and indexed by search engines, which is why no one can easily access it. This type of web is mainly designed to provide a private, secure, and authorized space so that the user can store their information privately, and only that person can get access to that information. Gmail accounts, online banking, and private databases are examples of the deep web where the user has to provide basic details like a username and password to access it. When you enter your account, that space is a deep web. It is a good web for protecting personal and confidential data.
Dark web
If you are a computer enthusiast, then you might have heard about the Dark Web. When this term comes to mind, we immediately think about illegal things like drugs, weapons, child porn, human trafficking, etc. Well, this is true and normal in the dark web. That’s why this is the darkest area of the internet where most people are afraid to visit, which is a good thing if you don’t know the dark web, the internet, and cybersecurity. Then don’t go. The reason is that the concept of the dark web only works on a special type of browser named “TOR Browser,” which a normal user cannot easily access with a normal browser.
The TOR Browser is mainly designed to make you anonymous, so no one can easily track you “where you are” or “what you are doing” until or unless your identity leaks due to a small mistake. The Tor Browser was developed by the US Navy to provide secure and anonymous communication.
Well, the Dark Web is not only for illegal things; you can also use it for legal purposes, such as privacy protection, secure communication, gaining access to censored information in restrictive regions, whistleblowing while protecting your identity, and cybersecurity research.