Surface Web

Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Opera, these are just some of the world's most popular web browsers. You would think that there are endless possibilities on these browsers, but the truth is that these browsers are extremely restrictive. You cannot access most of the interwebs on these ordinary browsers. Sites that you use everyday are in the surface web: Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Reddit, etc. The rest of the web is called the Deep Web.

Deep Web

The deep web is any website that cannot be found using a search engine. Often times when people hear the term "Deep Web", they instantly think about hackers, scammers, illicit substances, weapons, etc.; it obviously has a stigma and a negative connotation. The truth is that the majority of the deep web is not bad at all. Most of the deep web consists of database driven websites and websites that want to be excluded from search engine results.

As mentioned above, you cannot simply just go on the deep web via an ordinary browser. The easiest way to access it would be by downloading the TOR browser. This browser was created with the purpose of hiding/protecting the user's online activities and location. In very simple terms, it's like a 24/7 VPN. If something is purchased on the deep web, then 9 times out of 10, it is going to be in bitcoins, the currency of the deep web. Bitcoins are a type of online currency that cannot be traced, hence why it is easy to be scammed on the deep web.

Dark Web

The Dark Web is the dangerous side of the deep web. Even though the majority of the deep is harmless, there is a sinister side. The dark web is the reason behind the stigma. On the dark web, user's can purchase illigal drugs, fake ids, stolen valuables, unlicensed weapons, and much more. You can even hire a hitman! Many fear going on the deep web because they think they are being watched or monitored. Often times users will put a layer of duct tape over their webcam and mute their microphone. Another big reason that people look down upon the deep web is because of child pornography. This is a big issue on the webs. There have been countless cases of child pornography on the deep web.

Silk Road, a very popular website, has been taken down multiple times by the government. There is always a new version. It is literally the amazon of narcotics and other harmful substances. The substance will be shipped right to your door steps. This seems like something straight out of a movie, but these are some of the dangers of the internet.