No, 90% of the internet is not the dark web; it's the deep web, a common misunderstanding where the terms are conflated. The deep web (90%+) includes everyday things like your email, online banking, and subscription content, while the dark web is a very small, hidden part of the deep web, making up only a tiny fraction (e.g., 0.01% or less) that requires special software like Tor to access, and it contains both illicit and legitimate anonymous content.
The deep web makes up about 96% of the internet and includes private networks and databases not accessible through search engines. The dark web makes up only a tiny fraction of the deep web, estimated to be between 0.1 to 5% of the total internet.
Approximately 90% of all websites are on the deep web, and many are used by entities such as corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits. What's known as the dark web exists within the deep web; it's an area of the internet that is only accessible by users who have a Tor browser installed.
In 2025, the dark web attracted an average of 3.2 million daily users, with the US now leading as the country with the highest number of Tor users, surpassing Germany since 2023. Today's cybercriminals spread their activities across multiple platforms, making them harder to track and shut down.
India tops the list with a huge 370,600 average monthly searches, making it the most intrigued country when it comes to the dark web. The most searched term in India is simply 'dark web' (278,000 monthly searches), followed by strong interest in 'Tor browser' (69,000), which indicates an intent to access hidden sites.
More than 90% of successful cyber-attacks start with a phishing email.
The dark web is also unregulated, meaning that it is run and upheld by a vast network of individuals around the world. This network contains thousands of volunteers who operate proxy servers to route dark web requests. As such, no one is responsible for setting rules or ensuring their adherence.
Yes, you absolutely can make $200,000 or more in cybersecurity, especially in senior, specialized, or high-demand roles like CISO, Senior Security Engineer, Cloud Security Engineer, or Security Consultant, with compensation increasing significantly with experience, certifications, and location (especially in tech hubs). While entry-level roles start lower, experienced professionals can reach $200k+ through strategic career growth and skill development in areas like cloud security, application security, and executive leadership.
So, is it legal to use Tor and similar browsers? The short answer is yes. These kinds of dedicated browsers are used by the military, police, journalists and whistleblowers to maintain their privacy online. However, it is important to consider not only whether something is legal but whether it is advisable.
The website was known for its illegal drug marketplace, among other illegal and legal product listings. Between February 2011 and July 2013, the site facilitated sales amounting to 9,519,664 bitcoins. Shut down by FBI in October 2013. Silk Road 2.0 shut down by FBI and Europol on 6 November 2014.
Identity theft is the most common crime on the dark web, accounting for over 65% of all monitored illicit activities.
Google's decision to retire Dark Web Report is significant because it highlights the challenges of offering consumer‑friendly breach‑monitoring services. The feature aimed to empower users by notifying them when their data appeared on dark‑web forums, but many found the alerts lacking in actionable guidance.
The number 1 website in the world by a significant margin is Google.com, consistently leading in monthly visits for search, tools (Gmail, Maps, Drive), and overall engagement, followed by YouTube and then social media giants like Facebook and Instagram, with ChatGPT also rising rapidly.
Dark web use is global but skewed. The U.S. leads in daily Tor usage 17.6% of global users, 387k/day followed by Germany 13.5% and India. Other notable users are Finland, Netherlands, UK, Indonesia and France each 2- 3%. Interestingly, in 2023 Germany surpassed the U.S. for most Tor users in a period.
Scope: The Deep Web is much larger than the Dark Web, or the Surface Web for that matter. Consider the fact that every private account page on every website is a part of the Deep Web.
The anonymity that the dark web provides attracts criminals, hackers, and malicious entities. Visiting dark websites can expose users to malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks, putting personal and financial information at severe risk.
No Ban on Tor: There is no legislation banning Tor for business or personal use in Australia. Legitimate Use: Businesses can use Tor for legitimate purposes, such as enhancing cybersecurity, protecting sensitive business or client data, and conducting research without revealing their identity.
Congratulations Edmond Kombat on your appointment as CEO for Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
No, Tor is not 100% untraceable; perfect anonymity is impossible, as risks exist from compromised nodes, user behavior (like logging into personal accounts), and advanced surveillance, though Tor significantly increases privacy by routing traffic through multiple encrypted relays, making tracing very difficult for most adversaries. It's highly effective for reducing tracking but requires users to follow strict security practices to avoid deanonymization, like avoiding personal information and plugins.
While there is concern that automation may lead to job displacement, the reality is more nuanced. Experts expect AI to augment cybersecurity roles instead of replacing them. Accurate interpretation of AI findings and informed decision-making based on those insights require human oversight.
Good security standards follow the “90 / 10” rule. 90% of security safeguards rely on YOU to maintain good computing practices. 10% of security safeguards are technical.
As of Jan 10, 2026, the average annual pay for a Bug Bounty in the United States is $43,637 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $20.98 an hour. This is the equivalent of $839/week or $3,636/month.
The CIA's onion site allows users to securely report threats or suspicious activity, especially in regions where online surveillance is common. Its presence on the dark web also supports intelligence gathering and helps track cybercriminal activity.
The earliest form of the modern dark web arose in March 2000 when Irish student Ian Clarke developed and released Freenet, which offers anonymous communication online via a decentralized network of Freenet's users.
Law enforcement tracks criminals on the dark web by exploiting any weakness in that shroud of anonymity. They've learned to crack encrypted networks, trace cryptocurrency transactions, and coordinate globally to hit suspects where they least expect it.