The dark web is a mysterious and often misunderstood part of the internet. Here are some surprising facts about it:

Legal Aspects

• Browsing is Legal, Buying is Not: Browsing the dark web is generally legal, but buying illegal goods or services is not. "Browsing is legal, buying is not."

• Hidden Services Aren't Inherently Illegal: Using tools like TOR to access hidden services is not illegal in itself, but the intent matters. "DARK web usually refers to the illegal stuff, but ToR and hidden services aren't illegal in and of themselves."

Content and Uses

• Revolutionary Ideas: Some people in authoritarian countries use the dark web to secretly spread revolutionary ideas. "some people in authoritarian countries use it to secretly spread revolutionary ideas."

• Ancient Grimoires: There are even ancient grimoires available for purchase on the dark web. "There's a lot of ancient grimoires you can only buy on the dark web."

• Scams and Honeypots: The dark web is rife with scams and honeypots designed to catch unsuspecting users. "Scams and honeypots"

Historical and Social Context

• Origins in the US Government: TOR, a key tool for accessing the dark web, was originally developed by the US government to help people in oppressive countries. "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."

• Peer Review in Illegal Markets: Surprisingly, some illegal markets on the dark web have honest business practices due to peer review. "Honestly most drug markets on the dark web and the encrypted apps are really well run and very honest."

Risks and Dangers

• Child Pornography and Trafficking: The dark web is infamous for hosting highly illegal content, including child pornography and human trafficking. "Sales of Illegal drugs, weapon, human trafficking, child pornography - list is quite long."

• Identity Theft: Scams and identity theft are common on the dark web. "Scams and identity theft are a big business there"

Navigating the Dark Web

• Knowing the Links: Unlike the surface web, you need to know specific links to navigate the dark web. "it’s not the same as surfing the normal web. you have to find links from people then keep them safe"

• No True Search Engines: Due to the nature of its addressing system, the dark web cannot have a true search engine. "Tor can't have a true search engine due to how addressing works."

For more discussions and information, consider visiting these subreddits:

• r/TOR

• r/onions

• r/NoStupidQuestions