The Most Hidden and Dangerous Secrets of the Internet

The internet, A world of limitless possibilities and information. We use it every day, but did you know that there are dark and inaccessible parts to the internet that the average user knows nothing about? The dark web, deep fakes, cyber spying, and data manipulation are only a few of the internet's faces that no one is familiar with.

In this article, we will reveal some of the internet's greatest secrets—secrets that governments, technology firms, and influential groups might never let you in on.

 The Most Hidden and Dangerous Secrets of the Internet

1. The Dark Web – The Most Enigmatic Corner of the Internet

If you believe the internet is all about Google, Facebook, and YouTube, you're wrong. The surface web—the part of the internet that's open to the average users—makes up only 4-5% of the internet. Hidden beneath it are the Deep Web and the Dark Web.

What goes on in the Dark Web?

• Illegal commerce (drugs, weapons, stolen information)

• Covert group activities (hacking communities, cybercrime rings)

• Anonymous chat rooms where one's identity is not revealed. Classified government documents and limited data

Is the use of the dark web illegal? No, although what goes on there usually isn't legal. Special browsers such as TOR (The Onion Router) are necessary in order to access the dark web, and they mask individuals' identities. 

2. Your Data Is Being Sold—And You Don't Even Know It!

Have you ever observed that when you search for some product on the web, you begin seeing advertisements of the same product everywhere? This is not AI-powered intelligent marketing alone but a gigantic part of data trading.

Who Is Stealing Your Data?

✅ Social Media Platforms capture and sell your information to brands.

✅ Search Engines (Google) record everything that you search for.

✅ Mobile Applications are capable of recording your conversation and getting to know your personal details.

✅ Governments track people's internet activities.

How to Protect Yourself?

Utilize VPNs and privacy-oriented search engines such as DuckDuckGo.

Lock down your browser settings and employ ad blockers.

Don't post personal information online whenever possible.

3. Fake News and Deep Fakes – The Truth Is Becoming Ever Harder to Identify

The internet is full of false news, but even more sinister are deep fakes.

What is a Deep Fake?

Deep fake is an artificial intelligence technology that can duplicate an individual's face, voice, and expressions to create realistic false videos. This provides individuals with the ability to be depicted as having said something they never have.

Threats of Deep Fakes:

Utilized to humiliate celebrities and politicians. Innocent individuals can be framed for crimes they have never done.Utilized to produce unauthorized modeled pornography. 

 Banking and online fraud and identity theft.

 How to Protect Yourself ?

• Always preview videos before sharing them.

• Only rely on credible news sources.

• Utilize Deep Fake detection software such as Microsoft's Video Authenticator.

4. The Internet Was Never Free – You Are the Product!

Believe Facebook, Google, and WhatsApp are free to use? Think again. These corporations don't view you as a customer—they view you as a product.

They harvest your information and sell it to advertisers.Your online activity is tracked to manipulate your purchasing habit. Your online behavior is tracked to dictate your choices.

If it's free, YOU are the product!

5. Internet Surveillance – Everything You Do Is Being Watched!

If you believe your online activity is private, you're wrong. Governments, technology companies, and cyber agencies are all tracking your every step.

How Are You Being Watched?

Facial recognition and CCTV are monitoring your physical movements.Google, Apple, and Amazon can record your voice.NSA and government agencies track your browsing history.

How to Stay Safe?

✅ Employ secure browsing tools.

✅ Employ VPNs and the TOR browser to anonymize you.

✅ Steer clear of suspicious websites and apps.

Conclusion

What You See May Not Be the Truth!

Not all that glitters is gold. The very websites we frequent daily may be making life easier for us, but in the process, they are also exploiting our information, privacy, and decisions.

To protect yourself, be careful about your online activities, take security measures, and protect your personal information.

Were you surprised to learn this? Share this with your friendsand family so they too are aware of these hidden dangers of the internet!