The deep web: Terrifying or useful?

When a person hears the term Deep Web, it conjures up the idea of a bad B movie where giant cave spiders attack terrible actors, but many people feel The Deep Web is an actual growing concern. So this raises the question what is the Deep Web and is it as terrifying some would lead us to believe?

The Deep Web is the name that is given to various parts of the internet not indexed by search engines. The whole purpose is that anyone browsing these certain areas is completely anonymous. This means the only way to come across certain data is by specific methods, the sites themselves stay hidden by using layered URL extensions with random combinations of letters and numbers for domain names. This makes it very difficult to get an exact website, thus allowing any person on such a website almost totally anonymity. What it boils down to is a person on the Deep Web can do almost anything without fear of persecution or even punishment.

Many officials and citizens alike have deemed The Deep Web as a place where there is no consequence to actions, an area of potential crime. Individuals like Lucas Robinson often speak out about The Deep Web. “It's not inherently bad. It's just a tool like anything else but with the fact that it's completely anonymous that's where it gets dangerous,” explains Lucas. He goes on to say why, “I know it's a small minority of users that can take advantage of The Deep Web and use it for crime but there's no way of catching them. That's the scary thing.”  However not everyone thinks that way, for every person who feels The Deep Web is a nightmarish place, there is a Kevin Tong trying to change their mind.

Kevin is like any average person, he pays his taxes, works hard and does his best to stay out of trouble. What sets him apart from others is that he's a proud user of the Deep Web.  Kevin is part of the growing number of ordinary people using the Deep Web. “The Deep Web isn’t just illegal stuff, it's got a lot of amazing potential,” says Kevin. He also goes on to talk about how the Deep Web is a place where there can be an exchange of free information and ideas. “You can organize free from being watched. It's like what's going on in Hong Kong, the only way anyone can operate online there without the government butting in is on The Deep Web.”

“There's always going to be a need for free exchange of ideas without surveillance and, right now, The Deep Web is the only place we have,” explains Kevin. He did however address the issues of concern, “Sure there are disgusting and illegal things there, but there's always going to be disgusting and illegal and evil activities everywhere you go.” Kevin finished his defense of The Deep Web by adding in his own experiences with it, “I use The Deep Web for information and trading and purchasing goods and I'm fine, no hassle,no problems, it's just all in what you perceive really.”