IndexSummaryIntroductionWhat is the Surface Web?What is the Deep Web?What is the Deep Web?How secure is the Deep Web?What is the Dark Web ?Is the Dark Web Safe ?Silk RoadAlphaBayHansaAbout the Tor NetworkAbout BitcoinConclusionsReferencesAbstractIn this ever-evolving globalized world, there is data exchange and information among millions of people around the world. Some are personal and others are highly confidential documents. Privacy and security have always been an issue in this world of computing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To achieve this, numerous strategies and advancements are adopted, one of which is the classification of the web into three different levels, such as Surface, Deep, and Dark Web. The Surface Web is what is accessed in our daily lives while the Deep Web is what is not indexed by standard search engines. There has always been confusion in terms of the difference between the Deep Web and the Dark Web. It is not known exactly how large the deep web is, but it is known that it covers 96% of the Internet world, which means that only 4% it is the surface web. The deep web is inaccessible to the public and mainly contains database and account information. Another level of web hidden under the Deep web is the Dark web. Unlike the Deep web, the Dark web is located within the deep web which is accessible to the public with normal browsing tools. To access the dark web you need a special tool called the Tor browser. Tor Browser is known for anonymity while browsing the Internet. However, it is not completely safe since in that world there are many criminals and government agents looking for loopholes and illegal activities. Some websites such as Silk Road, AlphaBay and Hansa have been involved in criminal transactions and crimes for which they have been arrested and charged with cybercrime. For transactions on the dark web instead of normal currencies, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are used to avoid one's identity in the cyber world. The other side of the story is that the Dark web does not always have criminal purposes as it is the platform where whistleblowers, activists and people with political opinions can disseminate legitimate information while trying to hide their identity. Introduction In this world of globalization, information technology has advanced to a level of complexity and uncertainty when it comes to browsing the Internet safely. There are classifications of the web that are widely known as the surface web and the deep web. The Surface Web is what users like Google, Yahoo, YouTube, etc. access on a daily basis. The Deep Web is another layer hidden from the public domain for security and privacy. The data hidden and protected from the public domain such as banking details, personal details are considered to be the deep web which covers 96% of the entire internet world, are often represented by the iceberg for clear demonstration and understanding of the concept. Within the deep web there is a small part called the Dark Web, this is where criminal activity and nefarious deeds occur. This is because the dark web is considered better for its anonymity while on the internet. To achieve the level of anonymity when browsing the Internet they use technology such as the Tor browser, which is known to hide the source of the request through random computer loops between the source and the destination. To make things further safe and complicated for law enforcement they use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. What is Surface Web? The Surface Web is those websites and information that are easily available on the Internet, in other words that are indexed by search enginesresearch and not No special permit is required. It is also known as Clearnet and Web. The surface web has been very beneficial for the whole world when it comes to globalization of the world. It brought society closer to each other. Furthermore, he has contributed enormously in the fields of medicine, education and science. Some examples concern medicine, which has advanced to the level of remote medical care where, if there is a shortage of doctors and specialists, assistance can be obtained via the Internet. Likewise, in education it has greatly benefited facilitators and learned to gain knowledge and experience through online tutorials and assistance. And even in science the surface web has contributed to the development of new technologies and the exchange of ideas. With this advantage there are still some security and malicious content issues. But this surface web consists of only 4% of the internet, the remaining 96% is known as the deep web which is hidden from the public domain. What is the Deep Web? The Deep Web is inaccessible to the public and is not indexed in search engines, meaning that search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing cannot list links. It is also known as Dark Net, Hidden Web, and Invisible Web. This is the area where most of the sensitive data is stored. To access this information the person must be authorized with authentic credentials. Some examples are: bank details, confidential documents, private emails, inbox, public records. Etc. Such websites are useful when it comes to covering up secret files and personal information. Furthermore, it helps organizations and individuals to share and access information with desired people. The deep web is a hidden part of the Internet world, which means that most of the information is in the company's database protected with a username and password. In other words, this information is accessible only by authorized users. What's on the Deep Web? The Deep Web contains private and protected information, some examples are: The contents of your personal email accounts: such as Gmail, Yahoo and other email accounts. They are protected with a username and password. Only authentic users can access the account. The content of your social media accounts: A good example is your Facebook profile and account that is accessible only to authorized users. The content of your Online Bank Accounts: User Online Banking and Transactions is safe and secure so only authorized users can access the account and is not in the public domain. Data that companies store in their private database: All data in the company's database is also considered part of the deep web as it is not shared in the public domain. Content contained within scientific and academic databases: Governments and agencies, especially in the research sector, are kept secret, classified and not exposed to the public domain. Medical records: Medical records are also very important for research and privacy. The medical records of famous people are kept secret from the public domain. Legal documents: Legal documents such as case files and property documents are kept secret to avoid public interest. Much of what exists on the deep web is information that you probably wouldn't want to end up on the web, like your checking account, because it's private and could be misused. (Symantec Corporation, n.d.)How safe is the Deep Web?In the cyber world there is no 100% safety and security. Comparably, the deep web is known for its security as it is hidden via authentication. Within it are curious minds that are always looking to seize the opportunity to seizethe loopholes. The Deep Web is known to be quite safe compared to the Dark Web. As this is where personal information and authenticity occurs. But the user should be aware of the vulnerability of the Internet world. For example, we access our emails and do online banking without much worry, this is an example of how secure the deep web is. Since the deep web contains a lot of hidden information and valuable documents, this attracts many cyber criminals. For this reason it is always recommended to be aware of it and take security measures in the deep web. Some of the security measures are creating strong passwords with proper length and combination of special characters along with timely changes. While the deep web is relatively safe, it's always smart to adopt safe Internet habits. (Symantec Corporation, n.d.)What is the Dark Web?The Dark Web is a small portion of the Deep Web. It is also known as Tor Hidden Services and Darknet. To browse these types of websites you need a special tool called the Tor browser, which hides the user's identity by spoofing the IP address and location. To access the dark web the user must guarantee anonymity. This type of web is mainly used for illegal purposes and nefarious activities such as black market of drugs, trafficking and weapons. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are used to conduct such illegal transactions in the black market. Some of the websites involved in criminal activities are Silk Road, AlphaBay and Hansa. Unfortunately, they are eliminated by law enforcement for criminal activity. The other side of the story is that the dark web is not totally used by criminals, but also helps whistleblowers, activists and organizations whose intention is to help the world and preserve their identity. identity by transmitting true and legitimate information. Is the Dark Web safe? It's not always dangerous to browse the dark web. As this type of websites are used by students, researchers, and government and non-government organizations for a deeper understanding of the Internet world. But it is not safe to browse it for illegal purposes as there are dedicated government agents who spy and filter Tor browsers. Furthermore, since Tor servers keep users and publishers completely anonymous, the risk of cyber threats is high. Some of the risks listed are: Viruses. Some websites contain numerous viruses and malware that you should be aware of. You should not download anything from the website you do not trust.Hackers. You can find hacker forums on the dark web. The dark web is the platform where hackers can be hired to carry out illegal activities. Your device can be hacked at any time while browsing the dark web.Webcam hijacking. A website on the dark web may attempt to install a remote administration tool, also known as a “RAT,” on your device. This can lead to someone taking control of your webcam, essentially allowing you to see what you're doing through your device's camera lens. It's a smart practice to cover your webcam with a piece of paper or tape if you're not using it. (Symantec Corporation, n.d.) No matter how anonymous the dark web seems, law enforcement is always on the lookout for illegal transactions and activities and is successful in defeating criminals. Silk Road Silk Road was an online black market and the first modern darknet marketplace, best known as a platform for selling illegal drugs. As part of the dark web, it was operated as a Tor hidden service so that online users could browse anonymously and securely without potential traffic monitoring. The website was launched in February 2011; development had begun six months earlier.Initially, a limited number of new seller accounts were available; new sellers had to purchase an account at an auction. After that, a flat fee was charged for each new seller account. In October 2013, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shut down the website and arrested Ross Ulbricht on charges of going by the alias "Dread Pirate Robert". On November 6, 2013, Silk Road 2.0 went online, operated by former Silk Road administrators. It too was closed down and the alleged operators arrested on 6 November 2014 as part of the so-called “Operation Onymous”. Ulbricht was found guilty of eight Silk Road-related counts in U.S. Federal Court in Manhattan and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. (Wikipedia, n.d.) AlphaBay In July 2017, US authorities along with law enforcement in Europe and Asia announced the removal of the dark system's largest illicit market on the web. AlphaBay was a Tor hidden service whose transactions used Bitcoin, Monero. Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. It sold everything from malware and hacking tools to drugs. Counterfeit goods and even toxic chemicals. The market was also used to launder hundreds of millions of dollars. Unfortunately, the Department of Justice may attribute Oregon and Florida's overdose deaths to drugs purchased through AlphaBay. AlphaBay was estimated to have around 200,000 users and 40,000 sellers on the site. More than 250,000 listings for drugs and toxic chemicals were found for sale, as well as 100,000 listings for malware, hacking tools, firearms and more. To give an idea of ​​the scale, Silk Road had 14,000 listings at the time it was seized by authorities. The removal came after the July 5 arrest of AlphaBay creator and administrator Alexandre Cases. A Canadian living in Thailand who committed suicide while in custody a week later. Cazes' assets and those of his wife were seized, including houses, luxury cars and a Thai hotel. According to the Department of Justice, Cazes owned millions in cryptocurrency from AlphaBay operations. (Kaspersky, n.d.)HansaHansa was a darknet online marketplace that operated on a hidden service of the Tor network. With the closure of AlphaBay in July 2017, it was expected to become a major marketplace. However, on July 20, 2017, it was revealed that it had been compromised by law enforcement for several weeks before shortly thereafter shutting down AlphaBay as the culmination of the multinational operation "Operation Bayonet". Dutch police discovered the site's true location, after a 2016 Operation Tip by security researchers who discovered a development version. The police quickly began monitoring all actions on the site and discovered that the administrators had left behind old IRC chat logs including their full names and even a home address, and began monitoring them. Although the administrators soon moved the site to another unknown host, they got another break in April 2017 by tracing bitcoin transactions, which allow them to identify the new hosting company, to Lithuania. On June 20, 2017, the German police arrested the administrators (two German men) and the Dutch police managed to take complete control of the site and impersonate the administrators. Their plan, in coordination with the FBI, was to absorb users from AlphaBay's impending shutdown. (Wikipedia, n.d.)About Tor NetworkTor is a program you can run on your computer that helps keep you safe on the Internet. It protects you by bouncing your communications across a network)