dark web
noun
variants
or less commonly Dark Web
: the set of web pages on the Internet that cannot be indexed by search engines, are not viewable in a standard web browser, require specific means (such as specialized software or network configuration) in order to access, and use encryption to provide anonymity and privacy for users
The dark web is only accessible by means of special software, allowing users and website operators to remain anonymous. Once used by political dissidents, the dark web has become the Internet's black market, where visitors can buy anything from guns to drugs and fake IDs …—
Guillermo Contreras
compare deep web
Guillermo ContrerasExamples of dark web in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
How does Norton’s dark web monitoring work?
—Pcmag Brandx For Norton, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
Our top Identity Theft Protection recommendation monitors credit activity, financial accounts and dark web marketplaces for signs your identity is being misused.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Most password managers, like 1Password and Proton Pass, also include dark web monitoring.
—Matthew S. Smith, Wired News, 16 Mar. 2026
Many bank checking accounts, such as Arvest’s checking products, also offer additional benefits, including identity theft coverage with dark web monitoring, credit score tracking, roadside assistance and bundled discounts on various products.
—Barbara White, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Leslie works for the private intelligence company, scouring the open and dark web along with other sources to identify cyber threats against U.S. critical infrastructure, organizations, and people.
—Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
In addition to cash payments, class members are being offered five years of free identity theft protection, dark web monitoring and genetic anomaly detection services.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump has made a number of high-profile pardons during his second term, including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge in 2023, and Ross Ulbricht, who had been serving a life sentence for creating the Silk Road dark web marketplace.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
But a leading space cybersecurity researcher warns that many such attacks have previously gone unnoticed and that sensitive data including email credentials of ESA, and also NASA, employees are frequently offered for sale on dark web forums.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
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Pcmag Brandx For Norton, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
Our top Identity Theft Protection recommendation monitors credit activity, financial accounts and dark web marketplaces for signs your identity is being misused.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Most password managers, like 1Password and Proton Pass, also include dark web monitoring.
—Matthew S. Smith, Wired News, 16 Mar. 2026
Many bank checking accounts, such as Arvest’s checking products, also offer additional benefits, including identity theft coverage with dark web monitoring, credit score tracking, roadside assistance and bundled discounts on various products.
—Barbara White, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Leslie works for the private intelligence company, scouring the open and dark web along with other sources to identify cyber threats against U.S. critical infrastructure, organizations, and people.
—Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
In addition to cash payments, class members are being offered five years of free identity theft protection, dark web monitoring and genetic anomaly detection services.
—Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump has made a number of high-profile pardons during his second term, including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge in 2023, and Ross Ulbricht, who had been serving a life sentence for creating the Silk Road dark web marketplace.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
But a leading space cybersecurity researcher warns that many such attacks have previously gone unnoticed and that sensitive data including email credentials of ESA, and also NASA, employees are frequently offered for sale on dark web forums.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dark web.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dark%20web. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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