Below is the editorial Techno 24 It will bust four myths about the dark corner of the World Wide Web that persist today, although they have little to do with the real situation.

It is illegal to use the darknet

Contrary to popular belief, using the dark web is not inherently illegal. Although the dark web is often associated with crimes such as drug trafficking in the news or movies, the platform itself grew out of a legitimate project of the US government.

• In the 1990s, the US Naval Research Laboratory developed “onion routing” technology aimed at improving the security of Internet communications.
• This technology eventually evolved into Tor, a software widely used to access the dark web.
• Although Tor allows users to browse anonymously, not all activity on the dark web constitutes criminal activity.

In fact, many activists and journalists use it to avoid government censorship or protect their privacy.

Large organizations like Facebook and ProPublica even have official websites on the dark web to provide global reach in regions with restrictive measures.

It’s easy to find black market products on the darknet

Many people associate the dark web with black markets, especially due to the infamous “Silk Road” market that operated until 2013. However, the idea that illegal goods can be found at every opportunity is misleading.

Surfing the dark web is not as easy as stumbling upon contraband. Sellers often screen potential buyers to avoid encounters with law enforcement, making it difficult for ordinary users to access illegal goods.

Despite its reputation, the dark web also hosts a lot of legitimate activity.

• For example, journalists use it to share confidential files with whistleblowers.
• Thanks to the darknet, you can contact the CIA directly.
• In this way, you can also access academic studies that are not accessible on the normal network.

One clear example is the unearthing of the “Panama Archives,” which exposed large-scale financial fraud with the help of files shared on the dark web.

Access to the dark web is difficult

Another common myth is that accessing the “dark web” is difficult and requires high technical skill. Access is actually relatively easy.

All you have to do is download the app. The best anonymity networks use different practices for access:

• Tor: Access via Tor Browser.
• Invisible Internet Project (I2P): access via a full-featured I2P client.
• hyphanet (formerly Freenet): Access via Hyphanet peer-to-peer client.

Once connected, users can start exploring hidden websites; but this requires active search because these sites do not appear in regular search engine results. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be an elite hacker to break into the dark web; It only takes a few clicks on your computer.

Hackers are constantly preying on darknet users

Many people fear that logging onto the dark web immediately puts them at risk of being targeted by hackers. While phishing scams and scammers certainly exist, users who take precautions such as using a VPN and avoiding suspicious connections can significantly reduce their risk.

In fact, the main purpose of the dark web is to make it difficult to track users. Due to its decentralized and anonymous nature, the dark web provides an environment where information flows freely.

While illegal activities can indeed occur on the darknet, it also serves as a platform for the free exchange of ideas and niche communities; It dates back to the early days of the Internet, before corporate influence became important.