Archive for August, 2013

Deep web has gained a lot of publicity lately and most Internet users seem to equate it with a pot of gold consisting of all the secrets now known to the common man! While this may be partly true, deep web is not necessarily as exciting as one may seem to believe. Thanks to the latest technology and top-of-the-line techniques, content that was once restricted is partly or even completely available to the common man.

What is Deep Web?

Now what exactly is deep web? Is it all the exciting information that is hidden from a common Internet user for reasons of security and confidentiality? Well, that may be partly correct. While deep web does contain some classified information and restricted content e.g. on black markets, mafia rings, private websites (password-protected sites) and the likes, it does not necessarily have to be interesting. Sometimes, the information contained in the ‘invisible’ web is simply there for other reasons; for example, webmasters may choose to hide their website’s programming details and technicalities from search engines, because such details are simply not interesting, and may have a detrimental impact on the site’s rankings.

Deep web is much bigger than the common, surface web we come across while conducting searches on Google and other search engines. In fact, it is considered as the biggest online source of structured data.

The Future of Deep Web

Over the years, researchers have devised a number of techniques to access content in the deep web. One of the popular techniques is known as virtual integration, where users are required to post queries which are then routed to the site in question. Another technique is known as surfacing, in which the submissions for each HTML form are pre-computed by Google and are added to the search engine index.

Google and other sites have started providing free access to scholarly papers and journals that used to be restricted in the past. Google Scholar, Google Book Search, Windows Live Academic etc., are some of the examples of such services that are providing free access to common web users.

More and more companies and publishers are entering into agreements with major search engines, which will make it possible for individuals to access content from centralized locations such as universities or other institutions. In the future, it is expected that part of the deep web would be accessible by fees or other means of authentication.

 

Deep web – a.k.a. underground Internet – is an immense universe of information that is hidden from the naked eye of the common Internet user. Information that exists in the deep web is mostly untraceable by search engines such as Google and popular browsers e.g. Chrome, Firefox etc., and special techniques or tactics may be needed to access the data. But what goes on in the underground Internet that makes it so enticing and mysterious? And is it possible to trace the activities of individuals and groups dealing within the deep web? Let us find out!

What Goes on in Deep Web?

Many people believe that the deep web holds some of the greatest secrets the Internet has to offer – and that is partly true. This deep, dark part of the Internet is a hub of illegal and dangerous activities, including drug dealing, guns, child pornography, mafia rings, sale of private jets at extremely competitive prices, and even assassins and hit men for hire. Some of the sites even provide links to grotesque scenes of child abuse! On this platform, trade of illegal goods takes place openly and freely, and one can get hold of virtually all kinds of drugs such as Ecstasy, heroin, ketamine, cocaine, MDMA etc, and get them delivered at their doorstep! What’s interesting is that all of these are totally untraceable by search engines.

Authorities have also expressed a concern regarding terrorists who are believed to be plotting and communicating through this medium without the fear of detection, making it all the more difficult for security forces to catch them. For example, there is a website that aims to provide Muslims with guidelines on carrying out Jihad against the Western world.

Is it Traceable?

The transactions that take place between individuals in the deep web are done by using Bitcoins, a digital form of currency that cannot be traced. Moreover, the software used by websites in deep web completely hides your identity as well as the identity of the other party you are dealing with by encrypting all your data and directing you through a network of various Internet protocol addresses.

It is extremely difficult for security forces to trace the activities going on within this part of the Internet without the use of latest techniques and technology. According to Internet security expert, John Carr, we have to look forward to the time when user authentication is at the core of the Internet, so that any such activities may be effectively traced and those responsible can be apprehended.