What Is The Dark Web? For Parents

By Author: Robert Wesley
Total Articles: 1
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The Internet has changed in many ways since it became available to the public in the 1990s One of the most controversial developments is the growth of the cloth called dark. This is the part of the World Wide Web that allows users to remain anonymous. You may be concerned about your child visit the dark web, especially since press reports often associated with dangerous or illegal activity online.

However, it is not always used for illegal activities and the problem is not technology itself, but rather the way people use. Be aware of the basic facts about these parts of the Internet can help you have open conversations and realistic with your child, especially if you are concerned about the use the dark web.

Why do people use Tor to access the dark web?

Here are 3 main reasons why people can use the dark web:
To be anonymous

There are reasons why a person may want to protect their online identity. In some cases this is because they would be in danger if their identities became known. For example, in countries where the government banned a free press, where there is political censorship, ...
... or where people are concerned about online security. Tor is mainly used to browse anonymously on the open web; only a very small percentage of its traffic is related to hidden services.
To access the "hidden services"

A hidden service is when not only the user but also the site itself is protected by Tor anonymity. This means that the IP address of the site can not be identified, information about hiding his host, location or content. Tor is not a hidden service, but sites that are hosts. Hidden services can legitimately be used, for example to remain unknown when whistleblowing (exhibition activity contrary to ethics or illegal within an organization). Studies suggest that the majority of hidden service activities is illegal. For example, a study conducted in 2014 revealed that nearly 60% of hidden services contain illegal content such as drugs, weapons and stolen property.
For illegal activity

The dark web can be used by people to conduct illegal activities online, such as the sale of weapons or drugs. These types of activities and the websites offering them are often called hidden services, as explained above.

Using Tor or visit the dark web are illegal activities in themselves. But it is against the law to commit illegal acts such as access to images of child abuse, promoting terrorism or sale of illegal items such as weapons.