The Deep Web and Dark Web have murky origins that trace back to the early days of the Internet. These hidden realms were created for various reasons (some purposeful), leading to their existence today as enigmatic corners of the ‘inter-Web’.
Though the Deep and Dark Web exist and come up quite often in threat monitoring conversations, many still have a hard time defining the difference between the two and, therefore, an effective playbook for addressing incidents that originate here. This misunderstanding could lead to grave security misses. This post will walk you through the difference between the Deep and Dark Web and their origins.
The History of the Deep and Dark Web
The concept of the Deep Web dates back to the early 2000s when the Internet was rapidly expanding, and the need for secure and private communication became paramount. As more organizations and individuals sought to protect sensitive information from prying eyes, they turned to encrypted networks and private databases that were not indexed by conventional search engines.
The Deep Web was born out of necessity, providing a space for researchers, government agencies, and businesses to store confidential data and conduct secure transactions. It became a treasured space for those who valued privacy and security, offering a hidden layer of the Internet where information could be shared without fear of intrusion. With such a securely provided veil, it was just a matter of time before individuals with less-than-savory intentions turned their attention to the Deep Web.
Today, bad actors are utilizing the Deep Web for a variety of illicit activities, from illegal marketplaces facilitating the sale of drugs and weapons to stolen data and cybercrime activities. Fraudulent schemes, including identity theft, credit card fraud, and phishing scams, thrive in the anonymity of the Deep Web, allowing bad actors to exploit personal and financial data for nefarious purposes.
The Dark Web, on the other hand, has a more sinister history intertwined with the rise of cybercrime and unlawful activities on the Internet. Emerging in the late 2000s, the Dark Web was initially used by hackers, cybercriminals, and black market operators to conduct illegal transactions and evade law enforcement.
The anonymity provided by the Dark Web's encrypted networks and hidden services made it an attractive platform for criminal enterprises seeking to engage in activities such as drug trafficking, weapon sales, and identity theft.
The Difference Between the Deep Web and the Dark Web
In simple terms, the Deep Web is a part of the Internet (it holds a 90% share of content on the world wide web) that is not indexed by traditional search engines, whereas the Dark Web is a hidden part of the Deep Web, accessible only through special software.
As the famous quote from John McAfee put it, “The most astonishing subset of the Deep Web is a collection of dark alleys called the Dark Web. The Dark Web is generally thought of as a collection of criminal elements intent on subverting the law, stealing our money, and possibly kidnapping our daughters”, and he was not wrong.
The Deep Web often harbors illicit activities such as the sale of stolen data, drugs, weapons, and other illegal goods and services. On the other hand, the Dark Web is notorious for being a haven for cybercriminals, traffickers, and other malicious actors who engage in activities like selling malware, conducting cyber attacks, trading in stolen information, and human trafficking.
As the Deep and Dark Web grow in shadowy notoriety, more activist groups and cells are utilizing these platforms.
Activist groups and cells utilize the Deep and Dark Web as a platform for communication, coordination, and organizing activities. These groups leverage the anonymity and encryption offered by these hidden parts of the Internet to protect their identities. They use encrypted messaging services, forums, and marketplaces on the Dark Web to plan protests, share sensitive information, and coordinate campaigns without fear of being tracked or monitored. Additionally, some activist groups use the Deep Web to disseminate information, share resources, and raise awareness about social and political issues that may be censored or restricted on the surface Web. 
What makes these veiled spaces of the Internet even more concerning is its ability to put in reach untoward criminal activity to the general disgruntled citizen. In February 2024, a woman from Australia pleaded guilty to contracting a hitman she had found on the Dark Web marketplace called Sinaloa Cartel. She wanted to have her wealthy parents murdered as a part of an inheritance scheme. Unfortunately, her story is not as unique as one would think.
Elevating Awareness and Monitoring
The Deep and Dark Web, as it should, terrifies many and causes others to pause in their tracks. We know these nefarious activities are happening on these platforms, but how do we listen to them and monitor them safely?
Monitoring the Deep and Dark Web for threats can be a challenging task for security analysts, but there are some best practices to do so vigilantly:
Use specialized tools and services
This, by far, is the easiest route to go. There are a few OSINT platforms out there, Navigator by LifeRaft being one of them, that provide environments where data from the Deep and Dark Web can be fetched and served to you securely. This limits your exposure to the risk that delving into these environments on your own could expose you to.
Moreover, tools such as these make it safe and easy for you to disseminate information to your team or even leadership surrounding threats found on the Deep and Dark Web for action.
Implement proper security measures
Ensure your systems and network are secure before monitoring the Deep and Dark Web. Use firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security measures to protect your infrastructure.
Use a secure and isolated environment
Create a separate and isolated environment for monitoring the Deep and Dark Web to prevent any potential threats from affecting your main network.
Stay anonymous
Use VPNs, Tor, or other anonymizing tools to hide your identity and location while monitoring the Deep and Dark Web. This will help protect your personal information and prevent potential attacks.
Stay informed
Stay current with the latest trends and techniques used by threat actors on the Deep and Dark Web. This will help you better understand the potential threats accessing these environments could bring.
The Deep and Dark Web are areas that threat analysts need to monitor due to their significant risks. Monitoring these areas is crucial for analysts to stay ahead of emerging threats, identify potential vulnerabilities, and protect organizations from cyber and physical attacks, and operational disruption from civil unrest. What's more important is to ensure safe and secure methodologies for monitoring these areas of the Web and have plans in place to take action on findings of concern effectively.