The dark web has always been shrouded in mysteries for most, especially since it's not the easiest part of the internet to access. With that said, many have made assumptions about it which sped up the spread of misinformation, so here are facts you might be happy to know.
1. It's Not a Crime-Infested Place
Because of how movies portray the dark web, people assume that it's all bad in there and that everything that takes place within it is illegal. It's not. Of course, that part of the web has illegal activities going on, but so does the part of the internet you're browsing on.
2. No Easy Access
If you think that you'll be able to access the dark web through standard browsers, you won't. Even if you do use browsers that can plunge into the deep web like Tor, it would still be difficult to find your way into the deep web, and you might not like what you find in there.
3. The Law Will Still Catch You
Not that you're planning to conduct fraudulent or other illegal activities on the dark web, but if you think that you're safe from law enforcement, you're mistaken. Authorities have skilled enough professionals who can track your activities down, and eventually, you.
4. You'll Find Scams at Every Turn
If scammers are still rampant in the surface web, you can expect that they are prevalent in the dark web as well, and even more so. Although the law can still catch up to them, the restrictions of the dark web also make it hard to apprehend them, so you need to be careful with purchasing anything.
5. Anonymity is Not a Guarantee
When you see actors browning through the dark web in films or shows, you notice that they're using an alias for a username or don't reveal any information about themselves. That might make you think that anonymity comes easily on the dark web, but it's not as simple as it seems.
6. A Labyrinth of Links
Unlike search engines, you can't just type what you want and expect results to come up based on an algorithm. The dark web works differently, and it mostly uses link after link to get to what you're looking for. That makes it easy to get lost, maybe even prevent you from getting to your desired point.
7. Finding People You Don't Expect
When you think about the dark web, the first image that pops into your head is probably a hooded person illuminated by the light from their screen. That's not really the case. All kinds of folks dive into the dark web. Mothers, accountants, teachers, rebels, you name it.
8. Used to Fly Under the Radar
This one you might already be aware of, but do you know who actually uses it? Communication without being detected by governing entities does not mean they are up to no good. Sometimes, people like journalists and activists use it for their own protection, especially against oppressive regimes.
9. You Need to be a Hacker to Access It
The short answer is: No. You do not need to be a hacker or have a very high proficiency in coding. That's not to say that you won't need a certain level of technical knowledge to navigate through it. Knowing the right kind of browser won't be enough.
10. Hiring People With Certain Skillsets
You might've heard about the dark web being filled with hitmen that you can hire secretly. While it's hard to deny or confirm that, it's easy to say that it's a terrible idea. Not only is it illegal, but it might also be a setup from law enforcement.
