Invisible web

What does Invisible web mean?

The Invisible web, also known as the Deep Web or the Hidden Web, refers to the vast portion of the internet That is not accessible through conventional search engines. It encompasses web content that is not indexed or included in search results due to various factors such as technical limitations, access restrictions, or intentional exclusion. The Invisible web is estimated to be significantly larger than the Surface Web, which is the part of the internet that is indexed and accessible through search engines.

The Invisible web includes a wide range of content, including:

• Restricted databases: These databases are accessible only to authorized users, such as academic databases, legal databases, and financial databases.
• Password-protected pages: These pages require users to provide a password to access them, including private websites, internal corporate networks, and online banking portals.
• Dynamic content: This content is generated on demand, such as web pages that use JavaScript or AJAX, and cannot be crawled by traditional search engines.
• Non-HTML content: This includes content such as images, videos, audio files, and documents that are not easily indexed by search engines.
• Intranet pages: These pages are accessible only within a specific network, such as a corporate intranet or a university network.

The Invisible web is important because it contains a vast amount of valuable information that is not readily accessible through conventional search engines. This information can include academic Research, legal documents, financial data, and other types of content that are essential for research, business, and other purposes.

Applications

The Invisible web has a wide range of applications in technology Today. Some of the key applications include:

• Research: The Invisible web is a valuable resource for researchers, as it contains a vast amount of academic research papers, theses, and other scholarly publications that are not indexed by search engines.
• Business: The Invisible web can be used to gather competitive intelligence, identify potential customers, and find business partners.
• Government: Government agencies use the Invisible web to access sensitive data, such as intelligence reports, legal documents, and financial information.
• Journalism: Journalists use the Invisible web to find information for their stories, such as court records, government documents, and corporate filings.
• Personal use: Individuals can use the Invisible web to access private information, such as their medical records, financial accounts, and online banking statements.

History

The Invisible web emerged in the early days of the internet, as websites began to use more sophisticated technologies and access controls. The Term “Deep Web” was first coined in 2001 by Michael Berg, a computer scientist at the University of California, Berkeley. The term “Hidden Web” was later adopted by other researchers to refer to the same concept.

Over the years, the Invisible web has grown significantly in size and importance. The development of new technologies, such as AJAX and JavaScript, has made it easier to create dynamic content that is not easily indexed by search engines. Additionally, the increasing use of access controls and privacy concerns has led to more content being hidden behind logins and passwords.

Today, the Invisible web is a vast and complex ecosystem that is essential for many important tasks. It is a valuable resource for researchers, businesses, governments, journalists, and individuals alike.