{"id":352041,"date":"2023-11-07T13:38:27","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T18:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/dark-web-crimes.html"},"modified":"2023-11-07T13:38:27","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T18:38:27","slug":"dark-web-crimes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/dark-web-crimes.html","title":{"rendered":"Dark Web Crimes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Dark Web Crimes<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Jade Chounlamountry, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The "dark web" refers to hidden parts of the internet. Users of the dark web protect their anonymity through various tools. Some uses of the dark web are legitimate and legal. Yet, the dark web has also enabled criminal activity. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

This article will explain what the dark web is and how it differs from other parts of the web. You’ll learn the types of crimes harbored on the dark web, including drug trafficking and identity theft, and how law enforcement tracks and prosecutes dark web crimes related to web activity.
\n<\/p>\n

Note: <\/b>FindLaw does not condone accessing the dark web or downloading encrypted browsers. <\/p>\n

Activities on the dark web can lead to serious criminal charges. Any person who is under investigation for an internet-related crime should consult a criminal law attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

The dark web operates in the shadows of the internet, reachable only through encrypted web browsers like Tor (short for "the onion router")<\/a> and protected by VPNs (virtual private networks)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Websites on the dark web are most commonly encrypted \u2014 and thus difficult to track \u2014 using the Tor encryption tool. Most dark web users access those sites using the Tor browser. Other encryption tools and secure browsers, such as the Invisible Internet Project (I2P), can also provide entry to the deep web and the dark web.<\/p>\n

These tools are not universal by design; users must know the exact URL to access a site. There are no search engines or "Googling" for the dark web because that kind of indexing would provide a breadcrumb trail for investigators.<\/p>\n

The way payments are processed adds another layer of anonymity. Silk Road, for example, only accepted payment via bitcoin, an unregulated cryptocurrency<\/a>. As with the dark web, generally, there is nothing illegal about using bitcoin. <\/p>\n

Is the Dark Web Illegal?<\/h2>\n

At least in the United States, visiting the dark web is legal in itself, even though it provides access to contraband and illegal activities<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In fact, much of what occurs on the dark web is illegal, even if accessing it is not against the law. Sites on the dark web allow users to remain anonymous through encryption. This is attractive to anyone involved in criminal activity. It is also attractive to political dissidents living under authoritarian rule and whistleblowers<\/a> who fear retaliation. <\/p>\n

Darknet, Dark Web, and Deep Web: What’s the Difference?
\n<\/h2>\n

The internet is often visualized as an iceberg. We call the easily visible part the surface web. Ordinary users can surf the web every day.<\/p>\n

But the internet, like the iceberg, is much larger below the surface, where it remains hidden from view without the aid of specialized tools. The most significant part of the internet is the deep web. This term refers to parts of the internet that search engines can’t find.<\/p>\n

The deep web still falls under legitimate web use. It includes things that require permissions, like:<\/p>\n