Why is it important to know about the Darknet or dark web?

In the vast ocean of the Internet, what we see every day through Google, social media, or the media is nothing more than the tip of the iceberg. Beneath that surface there is a hidden network that sparks curiosity, fear, and also strategic interest: its infrastructure in the so-called darknet. But what exactly is it? Does it only host illegal activities, or also legitimate spaces to protect privacy? Understanding how it works, its risks, and its possibilities is crucial in an era where information and its control is everything.

What is the Darknet and how does it work?

The darknet is the set of means that allows access to a portion of the internet that is not indexed by conventional search engines and that requires specific software to access. Unlike the clearnet the open web we use every day the darknet operates through encrypted connections and overlay networks, which allows a very high degree of anonymity for its users.
Its infrastructure is based on peer-to-peer networks and on protocols that are not accessible from common browsers. The most well-known is Tor, short for The Onion Router, which routes data traffic through multiple layers of encryption, like the layers of an onion, thus making user identification more difficult.
Although many associate the darknet with illegal activities, it is also a refuge for political dissidents, journalists in authoritarian regimes, or activists who need to communicate securely. Platforms such as The New York Times or ProPublica even have .onion versions of their sites precisely for this purpose.
For this reason, all professionals who study the potential of networks, such as those who have completed a Global Master in Business Analytics and Data Strategy or even a Master in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning for Business, cannot overlook the study of the darknet.

Characteristics and risks of using the dark web

The darknet is an ambiguous territory. Its main characteristic is anonymity: both the content and those who create or visit it remain hidden from search engines, internet service providers, and in many cases governments. This makes it a double-edged space.
The most common risks include:

• Illegal content: it is estimated that up to 60% of active sites offer products or services that can harm individuals or companies (University of Surrey, 2019). From drugs and weapons to child pornography and stolen personal data.
• Scams and malware: darknet markets offer no consumer protection. Many sites disappear without warning, taking users’ deposits with them. In addition, links infected with viruses or ransomware are widespread.
• Law enforcement monitoring: although browsing the darknet is not illegal per se, visiting certain sites or interacting with illicit content can lead to legal consequences. In some countries, even installing Tor can raise suspicion.

Despite this, the darknet is not just a digital sewer. It also hosts philosophical forums, free libraries, private clubs, or communication channels for persecuted communities. The Tor Project itself defines itself as “a non-profit organization that defends human rights and online privacy”.

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Main browsers for the Darknet

To access the darknet, specific browsers that operate over encrypted networks are needed. As mentioned above, the most well-known and widely used is:

• Tor (The Onion Router): it is the most widely used browser for accessing the darknet. It is freely available and routes your connection through a network of volunteer nodes distributed around the world. It guarantees a high degree of anonymity and allows access to .onion sites. According to Statista, in September 2023 Tor had around 7.48 million daily users worldwide, with Germany being the country with the highest number of users.

Other browsers and complementary tools include:

• I2P (Invisible Internet Project): more focused on hosting services than on accessing sites.
• Freenet: focused on freedom of expression and file sharing.
• Ahmia or Torch: search engines that index .onion sites in Tor, although with limitations, since many sites do not want to be tracked.

It is also worth mentioning “bridges” such as Tor2Web, which allow certain .onion content to be viewed from standard browsers, although without the anonymity guarantees provided by Tor.

What is the difference between Deep web, Dark web and Darknet?

The terms deep web, dark web, and darknet are often used interchangeably, but they describe different phenomena within the Internet ecosystem:

• Deep web: includes all content that is not indexed by traditional search engines. This includes academic databases, medical records, emails, password-protected content, or subscription services. It represents approximately 90% of the entire Internet.
• Dark web: is a small part of the deep web (around 0.01%) accessible only with specialized software such as Tor. It is deliberately hidden and is the space where services that wish to remain out of reach of tracking are hosted, for both legitimate and illegal reasons.
• Darknet: refers to overlay networks (such as Tor, I2P, or Freenet) that form the technical infrastructure to access the dark web. In other words, while the dark web is the “content,” the darknet is the “means” to access it.

A good metaphor to understand it is that of an iceberg. The visible surface is the open web; just below is the deep web unreachable by search engines but legitimate and at the deepest level, hidden and dangerous, is the dark web, which is accessed through darknet networks.
The darknet is a complex reality. Demonizing it completely would be unfair, but idealizing it as a pure stronghold of digital freedom would be equally naive. It is a space that can save lives or ruin them. It can protect a journalist’s privacy or serve as a marketplace for arms traffickers. Therefore, beyond prejudice or morbid curiosity, it is important to understand it. Knowing what it is, how it works, and what can and should not be done there is essential for navigating the digital world responsibly.