Would you know how to access the dark web?

[NoFriendsNoEnemies]

Just that.

Whenever someone appears to be convicted of child abuse, accessing violent porn etc they always seem to trot out the cliche that they came across the images by mistake or that they were downloaded to them when they were downloading something else.

And for some obscure reason they always have their band of loyal supporters who believe them.

But quite apart from the fact that it’s obviously lies, I was always under the impression that to access that kind of material you had to visit the dark web, and so accessing that kind of thing in error is in fact not possible.

But how many people would actually know how to access the dark web? And if they wouldn’t how could anyone believe that these kinds of things could be stumbled upon in error?

Would you know how to access the dark web? Not for nefarious purposes obviously, but just in general. If you wanted to access it, would you know how?

Not a clue. I'd probably try and Google it 😂

Yes, but I wouldn't.

@avoidthecreakystair

You don't need to be on a dark web to have something downloaded to your computer without your knowledge.

Quick example: you visit a webpage that has a perfectly normal photo on it. The photo gets downloaded to your temporary internet files (images and scripts are automatically saved to your temporary internet files any time you visit any web page, so that it will load quicker in future).

Except that normal looking image is actually stuffed with indecent images using a process called steganography (christianespinosa.com/blog/3-steps-to-hide-data-in-an-image-using-steganography/).

So without you actually choosing to download anything, your computer now contains a file which itself contains indecent images.

Alternatively you download what you think is adult pornography, but it actually has child pornography hidden inside it.

Nope not a clue. No idea how to access illegal drugs either, not that I want any.

What legitimate reasons would there be for someone to download Tor?
Are there any? I’ve never heard it mentioned in real life so was wondering if I ever saw it on someone’s phone does that mean they are definitely shady?

I wouldn't have a clue. As others have said if I was trying to then I'd probably Google it

@avoidthecreakystair

You don't need to be on a dark web to have something downloaded to your computer without your knowledge.

Quick example: you visit a webpage that has a perfectly normal photo on it. The photo gets downloaded to your temporary internet files (images and scripts are automatically saved to your temporary internet files any time you visit any web page, so that it will load quicker in future).

Except that normal looking image is actually stuffed with indecent images using a process called steganography (christianespinosa.com/blog/3-steps-to-hide-data-in-an-image-using-steganography/).

So without you actually choosing to download anything, your computer now contains a file which itself contains indecent images.

One reason to run a virtual machine that evaporates after use. (Which is great fun when the "I need remote access to your PC" scammers try it )

Yes because I had training from the police. There’s a drug selling eBay type thing which police are morally and ethically torn over because users post reviews so buyers can purchase with more reassurance than dodgy Dave on the street corner. In areas it’s used, drug deaths and bad reactions to mixed drugs reduce. Also it allows locked down countries access to world news.

I’ve asked my husband this before. And no, you don’t type www.darkweb.com He’s got a degree in IT and he wasn’t sure tbh.

@DGRossetti absolutely! Not likely to be something your average user is doing though!

Yes, it's not that difficult.

I had never actually known it was a “separate” web. I literally thought it was the likes of general Google but searching for darker content . Obviously I’m stupid but that is an eye opener! Suppose if you were in that nature you’d find a way if you wanted to.

No, but I reckon I could find out from Dd or her Bf, NOT because they are dodgy but Bf is v tech savvy and they are young so know these things.

I wouldn't have a clue, but I'm sure if I wanted to I could google how to right?

Yes of course. I've been on the deep Web several times. But you don't need to access the dark Web to find child abuse images. Sadly they are readily available on the regular Web. You cannot however come across them accidentally, even on the shadiest porn site. You would have to actively look.

It's also quite hard to accidentally download something unless it's a virus.

The only downloads you would be unaware of is if your system was part of a botnet and this would be immediately obvious to any technician within minutes because it would not just be downloading but distributing them without the owners knowledge.

Yes
It isn't difficult

And you cant stumble upon such images but thy aren't all on the deep web/dark Web. They're hidden on supposedly innocuous websites quite often

Yep, I do.

But it's not easy to stumble upon stuff like that on the dark web, so that's bollocks.

And no, you don’t type <a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=www.darkweb.com" target="_blank">www.darkweb.com

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Ah man now I'm just itching to click on this! But a total chicken shit and scared of a) what I may see and b) the consequences to do it.

Sort of but not really.

I know you need a particular browser, which I know the name of (atleast one of them, not sure if there are multiple)

I was with a nasty piece of work many years ago who was into hacking and would go on about the daek web, onion sites or whatever. He used to use a particular browser and I have no doubt that he would be able to access things like child abuse images if he felt inclined.

This is probably a very stupid thing to say, but surely if all of this horror content is being accessed through this TOR couldn't it be banned? Or would something else just crop up in its place?

I suppose accessing the dark web isn't in itself illegal (as others have said some people have a legitimate use for it) but if the vast majority of stuff on there is illegal then surely it makes sense for it to be removed?

Its not difficult to do and plenty of guidance on how to do it, but no you can't just accidentally stumble onto the dark Web.

@whatajuckingfoke

This is probably a very stupid thing to say, but surely if all of this horror content is being accessed through this TOR couldn't it be banned? Or would something else just crop up in its place?

I suppose accessing the dark web isn't in itself illegal (as others have said some people have a legitimate use for it) but if the vast majority of stuff on there is illegal then surely it makes sense for it to be removed?

Yes something else would crop up in its place, and removing it isn't easy at all- potentially impossible even.

I had never actually known it was a “separate” web

It isn't.

It is basically the deeper, unlisted parts of the Internet. It doesn't show up on search results, cannot be accessed on the usual browsers and uses different extensions.

The 'dark web' is basically the darker side of the deep web. It isn't hard to access but you have to know what you are looking for and be near on impossible to trace if you want anyone there to deal with you.

Yep

@WhenDovesFly

I've no idea how to access it, but am I the only one who stupidly imagines that the 'dark web' is like a negative of the ordinary web, ie, all black pages with white or other coloured writing on them haha!

My phone looks like this all the time because I'm dyslexic and having it on "dark mode" makes it easier to read

As others have said, I know that you need Tor to access it but that's it - I wouldn't have the first clue how to use it. Then again, I would have no idea how to get drugs, etc in real life either! My biggest vice is caffeine