Dark Web vs Internet Traffic: 11 Major Differences!
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By Farrukh Mushtaq
Farrukh Mushtaq
See author profileFarrukh Mushtaq, a digital marketer at PureSquare, possesses a keen interest in cybersecurity and enjoys writing about it. With several years of experience in the digital marketing industry, he brings expertise and passion to his work.
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5 March 2025
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19 mins read
One’s open and the other hidden! The dark web and the regular internet differ. The Internet is enormous and carries extensive data called Internet traffic. When we talk about internet traffic, we usually refer to regular web traffic, but it holds the data from the dark web, too.
The blog will cover the significant differences between the dark web and internet traffic, why you need to be secure, and what could be done to prevent your data from being leaked to dark web marketplaces.
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is the portion of the internet
- That is not indexed by standard search engines like Google.
- Requires specific software, like the Tor browser, to access.
- Designed to provide users with a high degree of anonymity.
It is the subset of the deep net, considered high risk regarding the security and privacy of your sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, financial data, and health information.
What is Internet Traffic?
Internet traffic is data flow across the internet, including web pages, emails, videos, music, files, etc. It is measured in terms of data volume (e.g., bytes, gigabytes) or data transfer rates (e.g., megabits per second).
Dark Web vs Internet Traffic: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Internet Traffic (Surface/Clear Web) | Dark Web Traffic |
| Accessibility | Accessible via standard web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and search engines (Google, Bing). | Requires specific software (e.g., Tor Browser), configurations, and knowledge of hidden services. |
| Indexing | Indexed by search engines, making content easily discoverable. | Not indexed by standard search engines and requires direct knowledge of hidden addresses (.onion addresses). |
| Anonymity | Generally low anonymity; IP addresses and user activity are traceable. | High level of anonymity through encryption and layered routing (Tor network). |
| Encryption | Encryption varies; HTTPS encrypts specific connections, but general traffic may be unencrypted. | Strong encryption is a core feature; traffic is heavily encrypted and anonymized. |
| Content | A wide range of legal content (websites, news, social media, e-commerce) and some illegal content. | Diverse content, including both legal (privacy tools, activist sites) and illegal (illegal marketplaces, stolen data, etc.). |
| Purpose | General-purpose use: information retrieval, communication, e-commerce, entertainment. | Emphasis on anonymity and privacy is used for both legitimate and illicit purposes. |
| Regulation | Subject to various laws and regulations, ISPs and governments may monitor traffic. | Due to limited regulation due to anonymity, law enforcement faces significant challenges. |
| Tracking/Monitoring | Relatively easy to track user activity via IP addresses, cookies, and other tracking technologies. | Difficulty tracking user activity due to encryption and anonymity measures. However, it is not impossible. |
| Risk of Malware | Risk exists, but it is generally lower than on the dark web, especially when safe web surfing practices are followed. | Higher risk of malware, viruses, and other cyber threats due to unregulated content and malicious actors. |
| Search engines | Google, Bing, etc. | Specific dark web search engines such as Ahmia or Torch. |
| URL Address | Easy-to-read domain names. (.com, .org, etc) | It is obscured, hard to read, and difficult to remember, and ends in ".onion". |
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What is Internet Traffic Leakage?
Internet traffic leakage is also called data leakage, which might happen due to human error, or when there’s a malicious attack from a cyber criminal. Internet traffic leakages can occur on a regular web or the dark web and can cause privacy risks, security vulnerabilities, and unauthorized data access.
Does Internet Traffic Contain Data From the Dark Web?
Yes. When data moves within the dark web, it still uses internet infrastructure. Therefore, dark web traffic is a component of overall internet traffic. However, quantifying this traffic is very difficult due to its encrypted and hidden nature.
What are the Causes of Data Leakages?
Many causes can result in your data leaks and can later cause privacy exploitation:
- DNS Leaks
A device using an incorrect or unsecured DNS server instead of the intended encrypted VPN can reveal browsing activity.
- VPN Misconfigurations
If you use a VPN with weak encryption, such as a free VPN, it fails to route all traffic through the encrypted tunnel and can leak your data.
- WebRTC Leaks
WebRTC (used in browsers for real-time communication) can expose IP addresses even when a VPN is active.
- Cloud Misconfigurations
Misconfigured cloud storage or SaaS applications may leak internal network data to unauthorized users or the public.
- Split Tunneling Issues
Some VPN setups allow specific applications to bypass the encrypted tunnel, leading to data exposure. It is advisable always to use a trusted VPN.
Corporate Network Vulnerabilities
Poorly configured firewalls, routers, or SD-WAN solutions may expose your data leading to large data breaches.
Can I Leak My Data on the Dark Web Even If I'm Not Using It?
Yes, your data can end up on the dark web even if you never access it. Here’s how:
- Data Breaches
Companies and organizations store your data and might suffer security breaches, exposing your personal information. Cybercriminals often sell or share this data on the dark web.
- Phishing Attacks
Cybercriminals can leak or sell that data if you fall for a phishing scam and unknowingly share sensitive details (e.g., passwords and credit card numbers).
- Malware and Keyloggers
If your device is infected with malware, hackers can steal credentials, financial information, or other sensitive data without your knowledge.
- Weak Passwords & Credential Stuffing
Reusing passwords across multiple sites increases the risk of credential-stuffing attacks, where hackers use the stolen login information to access other accounts.
- Unsecured Networks
Using public Wi-Fi without encryption can expose your data to attackers who intercept and harvest it for sale on the dark web.
How to Keep Your Internet Traffic Secure from the Dark Web
The dark web is a threat, and if your data is in the hands of exploiters, it can be sold multiple times for identity theft and malware distribution. You must stay proactive to prevent your data from being misused:
- Enable MFA
- Keep software updated
- Monitor your accounts
- Avoid unprotected networks
- Enable dark web monitoring.
PureVPN’s dark web monitoring alerts send you notifications whenever your data is found on the dark web. Also, get real-time alerts about the unauthentic sharing of your data by data brokers, manage your social accounts, and block trackers for complete privacy.
How to Enable Dark Web Monitoring on PureVPN
- Install PureVPN on your device or update your existing VPN app.
- Visit the Members Area to get access.
- Go to Dark Web Monitoring from the main menu.
- Select Add Assets to Monitor.
- Add your email address, SSN, credit card number, passport number, and phone number.
- Mention the code sent to your registered number, and you’re done.
7. Take the recommended steps if your data is part of a breach.
8. You can mark the breaches as resolved.
How Can a VPN Enhance Online Privacy
A reliable VPN can keep your data encrypted and secure on the surface and dark web.
Secure and Private Access
A VPN hides your identity by encrypting your connection so that all your data travels through a secure route, minimizing the chances of interception.
Hide Your IP Address
By hiding your IP address, a VPN ensures your location is never exposed.
Prevent Cyber Threats
By keeping you and your connection anonymous, a VPN prevents scams, phishing attempts, and identity thefts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is a way to secure your internet traffic?
To keep your internet traffic secure, you must use a VPN to ensure your identity is anonymous. As your internet traffic contains your PII, browsing history, IP address, and cookies, it can track your online activities, including buying behavior, addresses, and more.
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What makes up Internet traffic?
Internet traffic is data flow and includes streaming data, file sharing, web browsing, video conferencing, online gaming, social media, emails, cloud computing, and more.
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What is the difference between the internet and the dark web?
The internet is the vast part where all the information passes from one device to another and is accessible to everyone with a connection. The dark web is the part of the internet that is only accessible when accessed through onion routers and is hidden from a typical internet user.
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How does PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring work?
PureVPN monitors the dark web for breaches through your most critical identifier, such as your email address. If your data is found on the internet, PureVPN sends you alerts and offers recommendations to help prevent further exploitation by cybercriminals.
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How does PureVPN protect my information once I share it for monitoring?
We encrypt your sensitive data before transmission to our servers and securely store it using SHA hashing for maximum protection.
Wrap Up
Our privacy is in constant fright, and we need to keep it private to us only. The dark web is always interpreted as the riskiest platform, but remember that every fold of the internet carries the risk of exploiting our sensitive information. Keeping your data secure with PureVPN can be the first step towards better privacy practices.
