The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires specific software, such as the Tor browser, to access. It is often associated with illegal activities, but it also has some legitimate uses. Here are some surprising facts about the dark web:

General Facts

• Hidden Infrastructure: Amazon owns a significant portion of the cloud and physical internet infrastructure, which is a massive part of its revenue. "Most people think Amazon is just an online shop operated by minimum wage workers. Amazon also owns a bunch of the Cloud and physical Internet infrastructure, and that's a massive part of its revenue."

• Fragile Physical Backbone: Over 95% of international data is carried through undersea fiber-optic cables, which are vulnerable to natural disasters, accidents, and sabotage. "Undersea fiber-optic cables carry over 95% of international data, linking continents through a few strategic routes."

Navigating the Dark Web

• No Traditional Search Engines: Navigating the dark web is challenging because it lacks traditional search engines. Users often rely on curated lists of links. "Tor can't have a true search engine due to how addressing works. Someone needs to provide the links of sites for them to be indexed."

• Bookmark Essential: It's crucial to bookmark the sites you visit because the URLs are often long and complex. "So he didn't bookmark any or copied/pasted the URL's? Clever friend..."

Risks and Dangers

• Illegal Activities: The dark web is infamous for hosting illegal marketplaces selling drugs, weapons, and stolen goods. "From what I've seen it's mostly websites that sell stuff like drugs and stuff like fake IDs."

• Child Pornography: Accessing child pornography is a significant risk and is highly illegal. "While randomly clicking around Tor one night I found a site with a riddle and a text box to enter an answer..."

• Scams and Identity Theft: Scams and identity theft are prevalent on the dark web. "Scams and identity theft are a big business there"

Personal Experiences

• Horrifying Videos: Some users have encountered horrifying videos and content that have left them traumatized. "The videos I found were horrifying."

• Snuff Films: There are reports of snuff films and other extreme content. "I used to take pictures of drugs for a local silk road dealer."

Safety Tips

• Use Tor Browser: Always use the Tor browser to access the dark web for anonymity. "Tor Browser is great but a major word of caution if you’re just visiting random, unknown sites."

• Disable JavaScript: Ensure JavaScript is disabled to avoid potential security risks. "Just turn off Javascript and don't do anything dumb like buy drugs with crypto from your Coinbase account."

• Avoid Personal Information: Do not enter personal information or make payments unless absolutely necessary. "Entering your personal information to buy things is even riskier than that, as is making irrevocable payments to people you don't know."

Subreddits for Further Exploration

• r/TOR

• r/deepweb

• r/AskReddit

These subreddits can provide more insights and personal experiences from users who have explored the dark web.