Citation[]
Congressional Research Service, Dark Web (CRS Report R44101) (Mar. 10, 2017) (full-text).
Overview[]
The furthest corners of the Deep Web, segments known as the Dark Web, contain content that has been intentionally concealed. The Dark Web may be used for legitimate purposes as well as to conceal criminal or otherwise malicious activities. It is the exploitation of the Dark Web for illegal practices that has garnered the interest of officials and policy makers.
The use of the Internet, and in particular the Dark Web, for malicious activities has led policy makers to question whether law enforcement and other officials have sufficient tools to combat the illicit activities that might flow through this underworld. This report illuminates information on the various layers of the Internet, with a particular focus on the Dark Web. It discusses both legitimate and illicit uses of the Dark Web, including how the government may rely upon it. The report raises issues that policy makers may consider as they explore means to curb malicious activity online.