Did you know that the majority of the Internet you regularly use, known as the "surface" web, is only a tiny fraction, accounting for only about 5% of the overall network? Up to now, the number of websites on the "surface" web has surpassed 3.3 billion, but these are just ice tips on the wide sea of the Internet.

So what about the remaining 95%? That's the part of the Internet we call the "deep web." When mentioning the deep web, what image immediately comes to mind? Illegal activities, fraud, and conspiracy schemes?
Well, you're probably right... and partly not. The deep web includes "gated" areas of the internet, simply put, sites that are not normally accessible. The term "deep web" is often used to name it, and it is often associated with the concept of the "dark web." But so, what is the connection between the dark web and the deep web? What can you do with them? How to access them? Is there any risk? Let me clarify by giving a short introduction to the dark world of the Internet for the layman. In this guide, I will clarify the key concepts to help you understand better.
Surface Web vs. Deep Web and Dark Web
1. Surface web
This is the part of the Internet we use every day. It includes websites that can be easily found using search engines like Google, and you can access them without requiring any special access permissions or passwords.

2. Deep web

First and foremost, the thing to remember is that the deep web and the dark web are not one and the same thing. The dark web is just a subset of the deep web, and vice versa is not true.
The deep web consists entirely of pages that are not indexed, meaning most search engines will not show them in search results. Web crawlers don't "see" these pages, making them invisible to search engines.
To visit one of these sites, you need to know the exact address (URL) or click on a link when you are in the deep web. Interestingly, the deep web can contain important parts of the mainstream and completely legitimate web, like personalized pages on platforms like Netflix or Amazon, which are never indexed. Deep web sites may include:
1.Private social media profiles.
2.Bank account information.
3.Email inbox.
4.Confidential company websites.
5. Internal systems of companies and schools.
6.Content behind complex firewalls.
7.And much more.
3. Dark web
Technically, the dark web includes content available on the darknet, closed networks built on top of regular internet infrastructure. The terms "dark web" and "deep web" are used interchangeably, as are "World Wide Web" and "internet." However, unlike the clear net (surface web), the dark web is highly anonymous, cannot be accessed through standard web browsers, and is often associated with illegal activities.

1.Criminal activities, such as dark web markets that sell guns, drugs and all sorts of other illegal goods, are a dark part of the Internet. Copyrighted books have also become targets, as networks like Tor lack the speed to share pirated movies and games on a large scale.

2.A unique aspect of the dark web is the security of whistleblowers to safely expose corporate wrongdoing. Additionally, dark web versions of mainstream news sites provide highly secure access to news, especially important in repressive regimes, although there is a risk of detection by ISPs when used. use Tor.
3.Dark web forums are often places where discussions quickly turn into criminal activity. Other blogs are often created for novelty or insight, like tech enthusiasts sharing their adventures exploring a university's maintenance tunnel.
4.Dark web search engines also exist, although they are limited as sites in this space are frequently shut down.
Limit

The deep web includes all content that requires a login to access. With over 5 billion internet users, each person probably owns multiple accounts (email, social networks, online shopping, etc.), and all of this password-protected content resides in the deep web. .
In contrast, the dark web mirrors the regular World Wide Web. It includes websites and even some search engines, while the deep web focuses on user accounts and private areas.
Work

The deep web works just like the everyday World Wide Web. Technically, there's little difference between accessing Facebook's public homepage (which prompts you to log in) and navigating your personal account content (which might prompt you to buy certain products) .
Accessing the dark web requires greater expertise and technique. The darknets where it operates are often inaccessible through regular browsers. As mentioned before, to access you need to use the Tor browser.
Size

The truth is that the Internet is estimated to contain 90-95% of the content of the deep web. Imagine how many people see the Gmail login screen clearly online compared to the number of Gmail accounts deep in the web. Apply this principle to everything else, and you'll begin to understand the vast scale of the deep web.
Because of the fluidity and informality of the dark web, its true size remains unknown. However, due to its poor reach and limited appeal to mainly criminal elements and some activists, its scale may be significantly smaller.
Applications

What can you find on the deep web? Everything requires privacy and security:
Protect user privacy and data: from online email, online banking, cloud storage, to social media pages and profiles with limited access, as well as specific web forums can.
Paid services: from video on demand to magazines to online newspapers.
The dark web goes even deeper, often requiring knowledge of specific web addresses to access even public content, let alone services. It includes:
Hacker forum.
Online drug market.
News organizations drop boxes for whistleblowers.
Email communication channels for activists.
Access the Dark Web safely

Before venturing into the world of the dark web, take the precautions below:
Make sure all software on your device is up to date, including security patches to ensure safety.
Use a VPN to add an extra layer of protection when using Tor, increasing safety while browsing the web.
Use caution when clicking on links, as the safety of your mind and device may depend on this decision.
Never enter personal or sensitive data on the Dark web, keep your personal information protected and out of untrustworthy hands.
The Deep Web is not the Dark Web

When comparing the dark web to the deep web, many differences become apparent. As of now, after reading this article, you may have grasped the basic differences between them. Perhaps, this has highlighted the importance of maintaining privacy and security across this spectrum. In that case, an option worth considering is investing in a VPN to further protect your personal information.