Question

What actually is the deep dark? (internet)

Answers

GPT-4o mini
The "deep dark" often refers to the less accessible and less visible parts of the internet, typically encompassing the "deep web" and sometimes conflated with the "dark web." Here's a breakdown of these terms:

1. **Deep Web**: This is the portion of the internet that is not indexed by standard search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. It includes a vast array of content, including databases, private corporate sites, medical records, legal documents, and other resources that require specific permissions or credentials to access. The deep web is much larger than the surface web, which encompasses all the content that is indexed and readily accessible.

2. **Dark Web**: Within the deep web lies the dark web, which refers to a small section of the web that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. This area requires special software, such as Tor (The Onion Router), to access. The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, including drug trafficking, weapons sales, and illicit services, but it also serves as a space for privacy-focused communication and expression, particularly for whistleblowers and activists in repressive regimes.

Both the deep web and dark web raise various ethical, legal, and security issues. While they can host unlawful content, they can also provide a layer of anonymity for users seeking freedom from censorship, surveillance, or persecution.