The dark web is a mysterious and often misunderstood part of the internet. Here are some of the most surprising facts about it, based on insights from Redditors:

Origins and Purpose

• Government Development: The dark web, specifically TOR (The Onion Router), was initially developed by the U.S. government to help dissidents in oppressive countries communicate freely. "One of the reasons why TOR was developed by the US government in the first place was to help get information in and out of oppressive countries."

• Navy Communication: It was also used by the U.S. Navy as a communication system. "I believe it was created by the navy as a communication system and they realized if they were the only ones on the nodes then everyone would know it was their IPs so they made it public."

Surprising Uses

• Journalism and Activism: The dark web is used by journalists and activists to communicate securely and bypass censorship in heavily restricted countries. "It's a means for journalists and others to be able to communicate in nations where internet is heavily locked down."

• Peer Review and Trust: Surprisingly, some dark web marketplaces have better customer service due to the need for trust and reputation in an illicit environment. "I never used it but from what I heard, silk road merchants actually had wildly better customer service than most legit businesses."

Myths and Realities

• Exaggerated Dangers: Many rumors about the dark web are exaggerated. "The dark net has been very over exaggerated by urban legends and things like that over the years."

• Fake Red Rooms: Most stories about "red rooms" and other extreme content are fake. "Most 'red rooms' are creepypasta fantasy."

Risks and Precautions

• Hacking and Spying: The dark web is more susceptible to hacking and spying if proper precautions are not taken. "You could get hacked at any time, and if you're the average user, you're easily being spied."

• Safety Tips: Using a VM, disabling images, and using a reliable VPN can help ensure safety. "Yes. It's pretty damn safe if you don't download anything or look for fucked up shit."

Navigating the Dark Web

• Knowing Links: Unlike the surface web, you need to know the specific links to navigate the dark web. "You have to find links from people then keep them safe."

• Search Engines: There are some search engines like Ahmia and Torch that can help you find hidden services. "Use some search engines like Ahmia or torch or whatever."

Strange and Disturbing Content

• Real-Life Horrors: Some users have encountered genuinely disturbing content, such as videos of violence and illegal activities. "A video of people getting beheaded I think somewhere in South America."

• Fake Content: Many eerie stories are just creepypastas. "The dank Web is just a meme. Yeah it has some sketchy stuff on there, but it's almost all just random bs like fake red rooms."

Conclusion

The dark web is a complex and multifaceted part of the internet. While it has its share of dangers and illicit activities, it also serves legitimate purposes for privacy and freedom of information. Exploring it requires caution and a solid understanding of the risks involved.

Subreddits for Further Questions

• r/TOR

• r/NoStupidQuestions

• r/AskReddit