Generally, the internet network encompasses three layers: open, deep and dark.
The Open Web (also known as the Surface Web)
This layer includes information accessible to anyone from any computer or from any mobile device, without the need for identification or payment. The Open Web contains no more than 10% of the total information on the internet. Its users are generally non-professionals, and the information obtained through searches is general and not sensitive, though it can still be interesting and useful. The risks users face on the Open Web are minimal and do not require advanced cybersecurity measures. However, it is always recommended to use an antivirus software to protect your computer or your mobile device from malwares that could harm or damage them.
The Deep Web
This layer is significantly broader than the Open Web, and its users are both amateurs and professionals. The Deep Web includes, for example, personal areas on banking and insurance websites, paid online databases, newspaper subscriptions, social media accounts, websites or applications requiring registration, and premium subscriptions to specialized knowledge bases.
When navigating the Deep Web, users are often required to provide a username and password and, in many cases, to pay for information, such as when purchasing specific documents from a company registrar. This is also the Achilles’ heel of the Deep Web. It enables hackers to obtain users’ personal information. Therefore, users are strongly advised to take protective measures, such as using a good antivirus software, routinely cleaning their browsing history and cookies, using personal rather than public devices, changing passwords regularly, avoiding the reuse of passwords across platforms, using pseudonyms whenever possible, and using prepaid or untraceable credit cards.
The Dark Web (also known as the Darknet)
This layer of the internet is accessible not through regular browsers but rather via specific proxy tools such as Tor. Although the Dark Web contains enormous quantities of information, which is often sensitive and even sensational, much of this information is a by-product of illegal activities. The Dark Web’s users are in most cases trade confidential or classified personal details, industrial or commercial plans. military secrets, drug manufacturing formulas, etc.
The users of the Dark Web are primarily either individuals connected to criminal or terrorist organizations or law enforcement personnel tracking those criminals and terrorists. Payments for “merchandise” sold on the Dark Web are typically made using cryptocurrencies. In general, individuals accessing the Dark Web expose themselves to significant risks. It is therefore strongly recommended never to access the Dark Web using a device that could be linked to the user and to avoid providing any personal details.
Among the three Internet Network Layers of the web, the Open Web, although requiring users to apply some searching and source-evaluation skills, does not provide access to important pieces of information unless users pay and identify themselves. Hence, it is much less relevant for OSINT professionals. On the other hand, most materials available on the Dark Web are by-products of criminal or terrorist activity. They are not admissible as evidence in court, and therefore dealing with them is not considered BI (Business Intelligence) or CI (Competitive Intelligence) but rather part of industrial espionage.
Consequently, the most relevant layer for OSINT, BI or CI professionals is the Deep Web.
