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
Guillermo ContrerasExamples of dark web in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Boutros spent eight years as a federal prosecutor under then-U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, bringing a number of high-profile and complex prosecutions involving everything from international trade to dark web narcotics conspiracy.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Instead, law enforcement authorities in the Netherlands identified him after obtaining a copy of the server for a dark web email provider.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
On his second day in office, Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, who was serving a life sentence for crimes related to his dark web marketplace Silk Road.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025
That led to posts on a dark web hacker forum, confirmed by NBC News as at least partially authentic, that shared a database that named and identified people with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
Some specialized providers also offer dark web monitoring that can provide advanced indicators that your company or key personnel are being targeted for deepfake attacks.
—Jim Richberg, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
This platform also comes with its own dedicated dark web monitoring, which alerts you if your personal information is found anywhere on the dark web.
—Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 17 Feb. 2025
Authorities said Mendonsa helped to manage and maintain four dark web sites, all devoted to the distribution of child pornography.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
Beyond Dark Web Monitoring Monitoring the internet and dark web to see if your personal data has appeared in a breach is a common service these days.
—PCMAG, 15 Feb. 2025
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Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Instead, law enforcement authorities in the Netherlands identified him after obtaining a copy of the server for a dark web email provider.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
On his second day in office, Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, who was serving a life sentence for crimes related to his dark web marketplace Silk Road.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025
That led to posts on a dark web hacker forum, confirmed by NBC News as at least partially authentic, that shared a database that named and identified people with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
Some specialized providers also offer dark web monitoring that can provide advanced indicators that your company or key personnel are being targeted for deepfake attacks.
—Jim Richberg, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
This platform also comes with its own dedicated dark web monitoring, which alerts you if your personal information is found anywhere on the dark web.
—Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 17 Feb. 2025
Authorities said Mendonsa helped to manage and maintain four dark web sites, all devoted to the distribution of child pornography.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
Beyond Dark Web Monitoring Monitoring the internet and dark web to see if your personal data has appeared in a breach is a common service these days.
—PCMAG, 15 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dark web.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dark%20web. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
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