Using commonsense and security when browsing the dark web is a given – anyone who has researched the process knows this. However, most people avoid researching the topic solely because they believe the dark web is nothing more than a criminal’s playground.
And for the most part, they’re right.
Nevertheless, there are a few exceptions to that rule.
Privacy & Security
If you’ve researched the dark web, you probably know that it’s necessary to stay secure on it. What you might not consider is that many users will use the dark web for security.
Whether it’s to avoid targeted advertisements or accessing Facebook in a country where it’s banned is irrelevant, as the successful outcome is usually the same.
(Legal) Websites
While the darknet is home to hundreds of illegal marketplaces and scummy forums, it’s also home to useful websites of large varieties. For example, websites like Flashlight and Hidden Answers allow users to browse uncensored news categories and ask questions without feeling shame.
There are also email services, hacking tutorials, and general research indexes that are worthy enough of being added to your own personal knowledge banks.
Restoration
If an online user is in the situation of a compromise by data breach, chances are they can find their information for sale on the dark web. Some people will utilize this opportunity by buying back their information.
This utilization of the darknet is extremely iffy though – you never know if you will get your information back or if you will lose your privacy and your money.
Journalist Lockboxes
A few journalists offer “lockboxes” on the dark web – a drop box of sorts hosted on an onion URL, where a user can submit any newsworthy headlines anonymously. This is useful for journalists (obviously), but also for the ones submitting the tips.
In the end, it’s definitely worth looking into the possibilities surrounding the dark web.