What Is the Dark Web?

The dark web (also called the darknet) is a term that often causes confusion online. While many people think of illegal activities when this topic is mentioned, the reality is much more complex. Around two to three million people around the world per day use the network (primarily through the Tor browser) to maintain their anonymity online (DeepStrike, 2025). According to studies, around 52 percent of the contents of the dark web is considered legal under UK or US law.

The dark web is a hidden part of the digital universe. It is an overlay network that is not registered by conventional search engines like Google. Users require special software, usually the Tor browser (The Onion Router), to access it.

Why Is the Dark Web Not Visible on the “Normal” Internet?

Unlike the clear web (the visible internet), the contents of the dark web are not indexed. This means that Google or Bing web crawlers cannot find the sites. Communication is encrypted and uses a large number of different nodes, enabling a high degree of anonymity.

The dark web is not a specific location; instead, it is a collection of many smaller networks and hidden services based on the principle of decentralisation.

Peer-to-peer connections and “onion routing” provide most of the foundations for the dark web.

The Principle Behind Tor (The Onion Router)

When you surf the dark web, your data is encrypted in multiple layers – much like an onion.

1. The browser sends your request via a random entry node.

2. The information moves around through a number of different relays worldwide.

3. The last layer is only decrypted to open the destination page at the exit node.

This method allows the user to maintain his or her anonymity to the greatest possible extent, because no individual node knows either the source or the destination of the data. Many experts also recommend the use of a VPN to disguise the individual’s location before they even enter the Tor network.

A comparison using an iceberg helps to understand the topic better. The internet as we know it is only the peak.

Surface Web (Clear Web)

The surface web, which is also often referred to as the clear web, is the part of the digital environment that we visit every day using conventional browsers like Chrome or Safari. It includes all the websites indexed by search engines such as Google. This part of the internet is estimated to make up just 4 to 10 percent of the total volume of digital content. It includes everything you are able to find on the internet without a login or encryption.

Deep Web 

The deep web is by far the largest part of the internet and makes up around 90 percent of the whole digital network. It is home to data that is not publicly accessible and therefore cannot be found by search engines. That includes password-protected content such as your online banking, private cloud storage, medical databases, and internal company networks. Although it is accessed using normal software, it requires the appropriate authorisation (login).

Dark Web (Darknet)

The dark web is a technically isolated area that makes up less than 1 percent of the internet. It is an encrypted network designed for maximum anonymity. You cannot just surf here using a standard browser; instead, you require special software such as Tor. Sites on the dark web usually end with .onion and are deliberately hidden to protect the private sphere of the users and operator.

Contrary to what many believe, not all the activities on the dark web are illegal. An analysis of 13,600 onion sites painted a surprising picture of the services offered there:

• 29% file-sharing services: exchanging data outside of state censure.

• 28% leaked data: marketplaces and forums for information from data breaches.

• 12% financial fraud: trade involving credit card data or fraudulent documents.

• 4% drugs: trade on special marketplaces.

• 0.3% weapons: an infinitesimally low proportion of the content.

Legal Use of the Dark Web

Many people use the dark web for legal purposes, particularly in countries with strict censure or surveillance. Journalists and whistleblowers use its anonymity for secure communication. Even social networks such as Facebook or the New York Times operate their own onion pages, to give people living under oppressive regimes access to information.

Even though much of the dark web is legal, it remains a safe haven for criminals. One aspect of particular concern is the trade in stolen information. When organisations fall victim to a hacker attack, the stolen user data (such as e-mail addresses and passwords) often ends up on forums on the dark web.

Why Is Identity Theft So Lucrative on the Dark Web?

Criminals use the anonymity it provides to sell whole databases. This data then serves as the basis for:

• Phishing attacks

• Blackmail

• Takeovers of social media accounts

• Financial fraud

In a world where billions of stolen or exposed data records are circulating online, protecting your digital identity is a real challenge. This is where omniac comes in. The app serves as your personal early-warning system.

• Dark web monitoring: Omniac continuously searches verified data breaches on the internet, deep web, and dark web for your information.

• Immediate notification: you are notified immediately if it finds your e-mail address, phone number, IBAN, or other personal details.

• Encouraging personal responsibility: you can take proactive action, for instance, by changing your password or setting up two-factor authentication. Omniac gives you precise recommendations for action based on your specific incident.

If you wish to use the dark web for journalistic or personal reasons, you should follow some rules to ensure your security:

1. Use only the official Tor browser: never download the program from third-party providers.

2. Use a VPN: a high-quality VPN encrypts your internet traffic before it even reaches the Tor network.

3. No personal data: never enter your real name, e-mail, or passwords on onion sites.

4. Disable scripts: disable JavaScript in the browser to minimise the risk posed by harmful content.

5. Be cautious with downloads: files from the dark web may contain malware that jeopardises your anonymity as soon as you open the file on the clear web.