What's the dark web? - Google Search Help (2024)

FAQs

What's the dark web? - Google Search Help? ›

The dark web is the part of the internet that isn't visible to search engines. It's not accessible by web browsers like Chrome, Safari or Internet Explorer that everyday people use.

The dark web is a part of the internet that lets people hide their identity and location from other people and from law enforcement. As a result, the dark web can be used to sell stolen personal info.

Given its anonymous nature, the dark web is also used for illicit and even illegal purposes. These include the buying and selling of illegal drugs, weapons, passwords, and stolen identities, as well as the trading of illegal p*rnography and other potentially harmful materials.

Though not all data shared via the dark web is exploited, once it's there, it can be used to make you a target of a cyber-attack. Therefore, you need to stay vigilant and implement strong security measures to help keep your information safe from the dangers of the dark web.

Dark web marketplaces

There are thousands of products and services sold on dark web forums every day—here are some of the most popular items available: Cryptocurrency verified accounts. These Bitcoin accounts are often used for money laundering and other illicit activities. Credit card numbers.

Use HaveIBeenPwned.

Once you visit the website, just enter your email address or your phone number to see if a specific account was leaked on the dark web.

The simplest way to check if your information has been leaked is to use a free Dark Web scanner like the ones offered by Aura or HaveIBeenPwned. These tools safely check your email address against recent data breaches to see if your passwords or personal information have been leaked.

Is Tor's web browser illegal? In almost all countries, Tor is legal. Given that the Tor Browser enables you to reach the dark web, it is understandable that many people assume Tor is illegal. However, in most countries around the world, that is not the case.

If your personal information is spotted on the dark web, it could mean someone took the information without your permission. Criminals steal personal information in a variety of ways. Some try hacking into accounts or using malware to capture passwords.

How do I delete my data from the dark web? ›

It is generally implausible to remove data that has been disseminated within the Dark Web. Individuals whose PII has been discovered on the Dark Web are encouraged to enroll in an identity and credit monitoring service immediately.

Can I remove my information from the Dark Web? No. Because of the anonymous nature of the dark web, there is no way to search and find all possible organizations with your personal information or to hold anyone accountable for removing it.

If you're wondering “how does one's personal information get on the Dark Web?”, the answer includes data breaches, scams, and a very diverse range of cyber-attacks (phishing through email, private messages and voice calls, social media impersonation, malware infections or digital identity theft).

Illicit activity on the dark web

Today, this part of the World Wide Web is mainly associated with the illicit trade of weapons, illegal drugs, various cyberattack services, forged documents, personal data and credentials stolen in cyberattacks, and illegal digital products.

The Dark Web is a place where sellers of illegal drugs, identities, information (passwords, account numbers, etc.) weapons, and many other illegal forms of physical materials and digital information look to traffic these materials across borders.

What are onion sites? Onion sites are websites on the dark web that use the “.onion” top-level domain instead of “.com,” “.net,” “.gov,” etc. Onion sites use The Onion Router (Tor) software to encrypt their connections and enable anonymous communication. They also hide their location, ownership, and other identifiers.

The dark web provides anonymity, facilitating discreet communication and information access. However, its unregulated environment can foster illegal activities that pose significant risks to users and organizations.

Unfortunately, if your phone number is found on the dark web, it's likely that other sensitive personal information like email addresses, physical addresses, social security numbers or bank account information may have been compromised.

Run a free Dark Web scan

This is a good place to start — however, free scanners only check for email addresses (and sometimes phone numbers). To see if your financial data, SSN, or IDs have been leaked, you need to sign up for a Dark Web monitoring service.