What is the darknet? Easily explained
You are currently on the Internet when you read this article. However, there is also another one: the Darknet. You can find out exactly what that is in this practical tip.
Darknet - the dark internet
Darknet is the name given to all anonymous networks. Sometimes the synonyms "hidden services" or "deep web" are used. The Darknet differs from the "normal" Internet in several ways:
- In contrast to the Internet, there are no central servers in the darknet from which data is retrieved. Rather, several private PCs join together to form a darknet.
- Each of the networked computers can provide, access or forward data in the Darknet. The data exchange with each other is always encrypted. While this increases security, it also slows down the network.
- If you understand the structure of a darknet, the next difference to the Internet results from this: the access options. You can access the ordinary Internet with any browser. To join the Darknet, a special software package must first be installed, the Tor browser package. This then clicks into the Firefox browser and encrypts the data stream.
- Pages of the Darknet are not so easy to find. Search engines like Google do not display these pages. They can only be reached via link collections. Examples are Newzbin Search or HiddenWiki.
- Since the data is not on central servers, the accessibility depends on the networked PC's. If a member switches off his computer, the data can no longer be called up.
What is the Darknet for?
The Darknet is used by people who don't want to leave any traces on the Internet. On the one hand, these can be users for whom data protection is very important. Unfortunately, the Darknet is often used by criminals.
- The Darknet is teeming with offers for illegal film and music downloads. If you get involved in the pirated copies, you not only run the risk of downloading a lot of malware onto your PC. There are also hefty fines in the event of a download.
Even without a Darknet, you can be on the Internet without leaving too much traces. We explain in the next practical tip how you surf anonymously and incognito in Firefox, Chrome or IE.