What is the Deep Web? A Comprehensive Overview

Definition: The deep web is the part of the internet that normal search engines do not index. You cannot find it with an ordinary search. It holds a wide range of databases, dynamic web pages and content that you can only reach with a specific query or a login.

Structure and size of the deep web

The deep web is far larger than the public internet most people know, which is also called the surface web. It holds billions of web pages and data points. Content on the deep web often sits behind paywalls or other barriers. That is why most users never see it.

A large part of the deep web is made up of:

Medical and science databases
Company networks
Archives of government and legal documents
Academic resources

How to access the deep web

You usually reach the deep web through specific apps or portals. They give access to content that is protected or not indexed. Examples are:

Special research databases
Company or university intranets
Media websites with a password

To get in on purpose, you most often need a specific permission or a membership.

Security aspects of the deep web

The deep web itself is not a threat. But there are some security risks you should know about:

Phishing or data theft attacks that go unnoticed
Malware that may spread, or data that may leak
Managing the risk of access rights within company networks

To stay secure, companies and individuals should:

Use secure networks
Run security reviews on a regular basis
Keep the systems that protect sensitive data up to date

How the deep web differs from the dark web

Many people think the deep web and the dark web are the same. They are not. The dark web is a small part of the deep web. It is hidden on purpose, and you can only reach it through specific networks such as Tor. It is known for anonymous activity. That can include both legal and illegal content.

The deep web has a big impact on access to knowledge and information. The dark web, on the other hand, remains disputed and is often linked to illegal activity.

Why the deep web matters

Many industries rely on the deep web. It gives them secure and private access to a wide range of information that they could not reach otherwise. It protects sensitive company data and holds research content. In this way, the deep web helps people use data more efficiently.

Best practices: protecting company content on the deep web

Your company's intranets, webmail, customer portals and cloud apps are also part of the deep web. But just because search engines do not index them does not mean they are protected. These measures have proven to work:

Strong authentication: Secure access to portals and apps with multi-factor authentication
Need-to-know access rights: Keep rights to a minimum and review them on a regular basis
No security through obscurity: Never share sensitive content just through links that are hard to guess. Always add access control
Regular checks: Check whether internal content has become public or been indexed by mistake
Awareness: Train staff to handle login data safely and to spot phishing attempts

Your next step

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