What is the Deep Web?

The Deep Web: What is it and what’s on it?

If you’ve ever logged into an email account or accessed your medical records online, you’ve interacted with the deep web. Internet content that cannot be reached or accessed with a standard search engine is part of the deep web.

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Searchable content that can be found with a search engine and accessed by anyone is part of what’s known as the surface web. Search engines use bots to crawl the web; when they find new content, they add it to their index.

However, some pages that are frequently accessed do not show up in search results and will not be indexed by search engines. These pages are part of the deep web, and they require additional credentials to access. Examples of deep web content include:

• Electronic bank statements
• Electronic health records
• The contents of an email account
• Legal files
• Chat messages
• Private social media content
• Paywalled websites (Like news sites and educational research sites)
• Fee-for-service sites (like subscription-based streaming movie and TV services)
• Databases
• Internal networks for companies, schools, and governments

Deep web content is typically legitimate and noncriminal and accounts for nearly 90% of all websites. Blog posts in review, pending website redesigns, and nearly all financial information are held on the deep web.

The deep web exists to protect privacy and user information and is generally safe. Consider all the deep web pages you can only access by logging in. However, the deep web contains a lot of personal information, so it’s smart to stay cautious. Create strong passwords, use a VPN when using public WiFi, and be aware of email scams.

Deep Web vs. Dark Web

While the deep web is mostly safe, there is a portion of it that might give you pause. The dark web is a part of the deep web. While pages on the deep web cannot be found with a standard search engine, pages on the dark web must be accessed with an entirely separate browser called Tor.

The dark web’s hallmark is its anonymity. People with a Tor browser can get online and not have their internet activity traced to their identity. This might be especially useful for people in countries where the government has censored free speech or for those who are intensely private.

Even though it’s simply an aspect of the deep web that relies on anonymity, the dark web is best known for being a hotbed of nefarious activity. If you can think of it, it can be sold on the dark web. Drugs, weapons, and personal information can all change hands here.

You can access the dark web portion of the deep web with the correct software but stay cautious. In contrast, you’ll access the deep web every time you check your email. Regardless of your online intent, it’s good practice to play it safe.