The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that isn’t indexed by traditional search engines and requires special software—most commonly the Tor browser—to access. It exists on encrypted networks and is designed to provide anonymity for both users and operators of websites.

While not inherently illegal, the dark web is often associated with illicit activities, including the sale of drugs, weapons, counterfeit documents, stolen data, and illegal pornography. It’s also used by whistleblowers.