{"id":40940,"date":"2021-04-22T18:08:22","date_gmt":"2021-04-22T22:08:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.andysowards.com\/blog\/?p=40940"},"modified":"2024-11-01T07:44:35","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T11:44:35","slug":"is-the-dark-web-dangerous-and-what-are-the-legal-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.andysowards.com\/blog\/2021\/is-the-dark-web-dangerous-and-what-are-the-legal-risks\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the Dark Web Dangerous and What Are the Legal Risks?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The dark web used to be a place for hackers, law enforcement agents, and all manner of cybercriminals, but in 2021 it\u2019s possible for anyone to try it out. But should you?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just because you\u2019re able to access the dark web, doesn\u2019t mean you should. Before you dive into the murky depths, you should brush up on the personal and legal risks of using the dark web<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we\u2019re going to cover what the dark web is before discussing the personal and legal risks of using the platform. Take a look\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Dark Web?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The dark web is essentially any online content that\u2019s been encrypted so that it doesn\u2019t turn up in conventional search engines. In fact, the dark web is a part of what\u2019s known as the deep web, which mostly consists of private files hosted on Dropbox and other subscriber-only databases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to access the dark web, you have to use a specific browser, such as the Tor browser. This browser anonymises your web traffic using the Tor network, making it easy to protect your identity online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The privacy of the dark web, and the fact that it\u2019s easier to get attention than on the surface web, has allowed it to gain a reputation as a haven for legal activities. While it has unfortunately been involved in criminal activity, many use the site to flee persecution.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basically, you don\u2019t have to be a criminal to use the dark web, but the dark web is used by a lot of criminals. Does this make the dark web dangerous and if so, what are the personal and legal risks?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Risks of Using the Dark Web?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the dark web being closed off to governmental authorities, you\u2019re going to get a mixture of good people hiding from corrupt governments and corrupt people hiding from good governments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These corrupt individuals can commit anything, from data fraud to hiring a hitman using cryptocurrencies. They\u2019ve been known to steal medical records, private photos, and financial information and post it on the dark web.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using the dark web is not illegal, nor is using the Tor browser, but you can be involved in illegal actions that incriminate you. Accessing pirated content, sharing illegal pornography and engaging in cyber terrorism are a few ways you could get in trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you don\u2019t engage in illegal activities yourself, you could end up on the wrong end of someone else\u2019s actions in one of the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Malicious software<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Malware<\/a> is a big problem on the dark web. It lingers in lots of places and can infect unsuspecting users the same way it does on the surface web.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t know where to go once you get on the dark web, you could be exposed to malware such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n