dark web

or Dark Web

[ dahrk web ]

noun

1. the portion of the internet that is intentionally hidden from search engines, uses masked IP addresses, and is accessible only with a special web browser: part of the deep web.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dark web¹

First recorded in 2000–05

Example Sentences

The U.S. government estimates that in 2021, 80% of cryptocurrency transactions across the whole dark web took place through Hydra, Russia’s then-reigning cyber-cartel.

From Salon

Much of Hydra’s interface would have looked familiar to anyone who’s used the dark web marketplace Silk Road or its myriad knock-off clones: you can glance through the forums and customer reviews to check which pills and powders will rock your socks off and which will leave you feeling worse than Uma Thurman in “Pulp Fiction.”

From Salon

It is no wonder some people, like cyber-security podcaster Patrick Gray, have been describing Telegram for months as “the dark web in your pocket”.

From BBC

The dark web is a part of the internet that can only be accessed using specialist software and knowledge.

From BBC

“We are talking about child sexual abuse material, we’re talking about drug sales, we’re talking about absolutely dark web levels of criminality that they’re just doing nothing about,” he said.

From BBC