Educate me. What the hell is the "Dark Web"

[El Presidente]

I was reading upon the current Ashley Madison fallout. I first came across AM about 3 in the morning on TV after a Sydney night out. I was taken aback about a website/dating agency dedicated toward people cheating on their spouses. I remember the night/morning as I grabbed my laptop and was about to register ken.It was hilarious at the time (as most things are at 3am) but I gave up as my fingers had lost all dexterity

Where was I

....yes, Ashley Madison. Well as you know their client data records were hacked and now posted on the "Dark Web".

I have no idea what a "Dark Web" is. I have often heard it referenced in relation to the sites dealing in illegal activities but can someone give me a laymans understanding of what it is, what really goes on, how accessed, scope of activities etal.

Yes I could go to Wikipedia but sometimes you get a better idea from people who speak the same lingo

[Habana Mike]

You don't want to know. Some things are best left undisturbed.

Batphone if you want specifics.....don't mention Tor

[oliverdst]

Rob, this is the first and still the best answer:

Dark web is where the **** happens, is where everything your grandma didnt want you to see happens.

Since the things SHE said was bad until the things YOU say are bad to your kids.

Sorry for the simple answer but it's the way it is.

Silk road was the beggining.

[b4z00k4]

The dark web is a portion of the internet that is only accessible via certain software configurations. Access to these sites usually requires a special browser, use of proxy servers, and knowledge of exactly what you're looking for and where to find it. I like the analogy that compares the internet to the ocean. Everything is connected, but the deeper you go, the darker it gets and the more difficult it is to access. What we have access to via search engines is like trolling a net along the surface.

You can find essentially anything in the "dark web". From prostitutes to drugs to illegal firearms. There were rumours at one point of contract killers operating via websites in the dark web, but I've never seen this. Drugs are by far the most prolific activity in the dark web. There are numerous marketplaces where one can but their choice of narcotics, and have them shipped via FedEx/UPS(to a dead drop or UPS store post box in a fake name).

It's pretty fascinating, and I couldn't help but spend weeks exploring the dark web when my buddy showed me how to access it. Even then, I saw perhaps a percentage of everything that happens there. It's also a bit alarming when you think about the sheer scope of everything on the internet and how little we actually see.

[jimsta10]

Meaning, you cannot get there with just Google alone.....

You will need a specific browser and trust by specific people to let you in. Just imagine going to an under ground exclusive night club where the sh** just got real.....to get in, you will need a specific invitation (very hard to come by if you're a newbie). Once in, things will be ones and zeros......not gui.

I recommend you take the blue pill.

[cigarbreak]

From my limited understanding in short, its is a place where hackers and illegal transactions occur via people using old school Internet Relay Chat software. Like a member says above you need to know what you're looking for and you need to have the right software and savvy. The deep web is something the media made up, and really it's just the Dark Web. One can move around there anonymously (if you know what you're doing) but one should take precautions before entering as i've heard that the community is well guarded so to speak.

[Habano]

If you need to ask what the dark web is its probably best you stay away from it or even attempt to find out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[btp1979]

It's even scarier than that. It's the thing you walk into when you're camping at night and have to leave the tent to go pee. Every. Single. Time. You'd think at some point I'd have learned to wave a stick in front of my self or go somewhere without trees.

Stupid spiders.

[luv2fly]

Ashley Madison, I love my wife and would not be a part of that site. That said, if that is what cranks the tractor, fine. I am not one to judge. Shame that it was made public.

[Overproof]

1337

[PapaDisco]

I always thought of the 'dark web' as akin to what the web was like before indexing search engines; back in 1991 you had to know the address you wanted to go to. Early on there were even paper 'yellow pages' published of site addresses, and as Jimsta said, no GUI.

That said, how have the illicit sites managed to keep themselves out of sight of the web crawlers that index everything? I mean those damn engines get into every nook and cranny, and have archived sites going back years!

[Ken Gargett]

I was reading upon the current Ashley Madison fallout. I first came across AM about 3 in the morning on TV after a Sydney night out. I was taken aback about a website/dating agency dedicated toward people cheating on their spouses. I remember the night/morning as I grabbed my laptop and was about to register ken.It was hilarious at the time (as most things are at 3am) but I gave up as my fingers had lost all dexterity

Where was I

....yes, Ashley Madison. Well as you know their client data records were hacked and now posted on the "Dark Web".

I have no idea what a "Dark Web" is. I have often heard it referenced in relation to the sites dealing in illegal activities but can someone give me a laymans understanding of what it is, what really goes on, how accessed, scope of activities etal.

Yes I could go to Wikipedia but sometimes you get a better idea from people who speak the same lingo

consider yourself signed up to the jehovahs' witnesses and yes, you did want the personal visit.

[El Presidente]

consider yourself signed up to the jehovahs' witnesses and yes, you did want the personal visit.

Happy Clappers are always welcome at my door

[Fuzz]

The dark web can be a fascinating place. Not for those faint of heart, though.

[El Presidente]

I appreciate the enlightening on the Dark Web subject

It sounds like the place that tobacco websites will be in 20 years

[Habana Mike]

Pretty much. Maybe only 5 years though....

and crawlers can't crawl where crawlers aren't allowed. Ever notice on Google searches where that particular phrase in mentioned? And that's the light web

[Fuzz]

I appreciate the enlightening on the Dark Web subject

It sounds like the place that tobacco websites will be in 20 years

The Czar pirate ship is turning into a submarine and going beneath the waves!

[Olga]

Never heard of "dark web" myself but now that I know what it means ...... I don't think the Ashley Madison website falls in the "dark web" category. Google Ashley Madison and it's right there. It doesn't seem to require a special software or secret kill switch sequence (learned about "kill switch" watching Mad Max Fury Road last Sunday ).

[El Presidente]

Never heard of "dark web" myself but now that I know what it means ...... I don't think the Ashley Madison website falls in the "dark web" category. It doesn't seem to require a special software or secret kill switch sequence (learned about "kill switch" watching Mad Max Fury Road last Sunday ). Google Ashley Madison and it's right there.

What I meant was that the data file of AM clients was apparently first posted on the DW (or so I read on local media). it is what got me to asking.

[Olga]

What I meant was that the data file of AM clients was apparently first posted on the DW (or so I read on local media). it is what got me to asking.

Took me a second with AM and DW lol.

K, now I get it. I see what you mean.

Reminds me of a story where people posted naked pics of celebrities. It had to do with something similar. The depth of the internet where you had to know how to get there to see them.

[Fuzz]

I find it really amusing that people would use their real details when signing up to these kind of sites.

Took me a second with AM and DW lol.

K, now I get it. I see what you mean.

Reminds me of a story where people posted naked pics of celebrities. It had to do with something similar. The depth of the internet where you had to know how to get there to see them.

Ah yes, the Fappening. That caused quite a stir. Pretty easy to find all the pics though. They were openly posted in multiple forums.

[Habana Mike]

I find it really amusing that people would use their real details when signing up to these kind of sites.

Ah yes, the Fappening. That caused quite a stir. Pretty easy to find all the pics though. They were openly posted in multiple forums.

You were part of the fappening? Wow, just wow. Wouldn't expect that from a moderator

[Fuzz]

You were part of the fappening? Wow, just wow. Wouldn't expect that from a moderator

Yeah, really embarrassing having my pics plastered all over the web.

[khamy]

that reminds me i need to buy some onions on the way home tonight.

[khomeinist]

Pretty easy to restrict access using .htaccess mod rewrites.