Independent Study
This study delves into the intricate layers of the Internet, distinguishing between the Surface Web, accessible through conventional search engines, and the concealed realms of the Deep Web and Dark Web. The Dark Web, accessed via TOR, provides users with anonymity, privacy, and evasion of traditional search engine detection. The paper aims to explore the societal impact of the Dark Web by presenting data on daily anonymous users in Kosovo and globally, specifically utilizing TOR. Results from searches on Ahimia and Onion City Dark Web search engines shed light on the influence of hidden services websites. The study scrutinizes the effectiveness of anonymity on the Dark Web, emphasizing TOR's commitment to fostering anonymous activities. Utilizing IP addresses and country codes, the research indirectly gauges the geographic distribution of Dark Web users, offering insights into their presence and potential implications for society. Additionally, the report delves into the calculation of users in anonymous networks on the Dark Web, employing TOR metrics and relay lists to assess the scale of anonymous network participation.