How does the deep web differ from the surface web?

The deep web differs from the surface web as it contains unindexed content that is not accessible through standard search engines.

The surface web, also known as the visible web, is the part of the internet that is accessible to the general public and is indexed by standard search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. It includes all the websites, pages, and information that you can find through a typical web search. This is the part of the web that most people are familiar with and use on a daily basis. It's estimated that the surface web only makes up about 4% of the total internet.

On the other hand, the deep web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by these standard search engines. This means that the content on the deep web cannot be found through a typical web search. The deep web is significantly larger than the surface web, making up about 96% of the total internet. It includes all sorts of information, from government databases and scientific reports to personal email accounts and banking information.

The deep web is not inherently nefarious. It contains a lot of mundane data, such as private databases, members-only websites, and pages behind paywalls. However, it also includes the dark web, a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and can only be accessed with special software like Tor. The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, but it's also used by individuals in oppressive regimes to communicate safely.

In terms of accessibility, the surface web is easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a web browser. The deep web, however, requires special tools or permissions to access. For example, to access a private database on the deep web, you might need a specific URL and login credentials. To access the dark web, you would need to use special software that allows you to connect to the network anonymously.

In summary, the deep web and the surface web are two distinct parts of the internet. The surface web is the part that is easily accessible and indexed by search engines, while the deep web contains unindexed content that is not readily accessible to the general public.