dark web

noun

variants or less commonly Dark Web
: the set of web pages on the World Wide Web 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 or trade child pornography.Guillermo Contreras
compare deep web

Examples of dark web in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In fact, as Judge Katherine Forrest explained at the time, Ulbricht's life sentence was intended also to send a message to other would-be dark web drug kingpins. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 31 May 2017 Subsequently, the data was found for sale on dark web forums, illustrating the severe consequences of inadequate security settings. Jody Brazil, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 This suite also includes dark web monitoring, identity theft remediation, a full-fledged VPN, and more. PCMAG, 23 Oct. 2024 In October, dark web researcher Vinny Troia found one such trove sitting exposed and easily accessible on an unsecured server, comprising 4 terabytes of personal information—about 1.2 billion records in all. Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2019 Currently, Nutter Butter, the sandwich cookie from Nabisco, is making waves on TikTok with viral videos and animations that mimic a dark web aesthetic. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019 Your Sticky Password purchase also comes with a free year of dark web monitoring powered by ARC. Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 18 Sep. 2024 Andy Ginther, mayor of Columbus, Ohio, pictured at a White House event in 2023, was not giving the public the full picture after a recent ransomware attack, according to a dark web researcher who investigated, and has since been sued by the city. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2024 Killer Hired To Target You The sender claims to own a dark web site that offers various services for a fee. Alex Vakulov, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1998, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dark web was in 1998

Dictionary Entries Near dark web

Cite this Entry

“Dark web.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dark%20web. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

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