When it comes to cybersecurity, networking, and all things tech, few voices are as passionate and approachable as Chuck Keith, better known online as NetworkChuck.
With his trademark coffee-in-hand teaching style, Chuck has built a global audience of millions, breaking down complex networking concepts, ethical hacking, and the hidden corners of the internet into digestible, real-world lessons.
In this exclusive interview, we sat down with Chuck to talk about one of the internet’s most misunderstood and mysterious layers: the dark web.
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Q: Chuck, people hear the term “dark web” and immediately think of crime, hacking, and shady activity. In your words, what is the dark web, really?
NetworkChuck:
That’s the funny thing, the dark web has this almost mythical status, right? People imagine it’s this secret evil place where hackers in hoodies sell stolen credit cards and governments hide conspiracies. But in reality, the dark web is simply a portion of the internet that’s not indexed by traditional search engines and requires special software — like Tor — to access.
Yes, there’s illegal stuff there, no denying it. But it’s not *only* that. There are communities, forums, whistleblowing sites, even journalists using it for secure communication. So at its core, it’s just another layer of the internet, and how people use it — good or bad — depends on human nature. For readers new to cybersecurity, understanding the basics is essential. You can check out Cybersecurity Basics for a solid foundation before diving deeper into topics like the dark web.
Q: You mentioned Tor. For the average person who’s never gone beyond Google or Chrome, how does someone even “get to” the dark web?
NetworkChuck:
Accessing the dark web isn’t actually complicated — and that surprises a lot of people. The most common way is through the Tor Browser, which routes your traffic through multiple relays around the world to anonymize your connection. Once you’re on Tor, you can visit sites with the `.onion` domain, which you can’t just type into Chrome.
But here’s the key: just because you can doesn’t mean you should go clicking on everything. The dark web doesn’t have the same guardrails as the surface web. Links aren’t curated by Google. You might click one thing and end up somewhere very sketchy. So while it’s technically simple, it requires a lot more caution.
Q: That leads perfectly into safety. If someone is curious and wants to explore, what precautions should they take?
NetworkChuck
I like to compare it to traveling. If you’re going to a foreign country, you don’t just wander around without learning a bit about the culture, the neighborhoods, the risks. The dark web is similar.
First: use a VPN in addition to Tor. That way, even your ISP doesn’t know you’re on Tor.
Second: segregate your activity. Don’t use your personal email, don’t log in to accounts tied to your real identity, and ideally don’t even use your main computer. A virtual machine or a separate device is safer.
Third: stay away from downloads. Malware is rampant, and you don’t want to accidentally install something nasty.
And finally, keep your expectations realistic. You’re not Neo in *The Matrix*. You’re just a tourist in a very strange part of town.
Q: With your background in networking and ethical hacking, do you think the dark web gets unfairly demonized?
NetworkChuck
Yes and no. The dark web has been sensationalized in movies, TV, and even on YouTube. That drives clicks, but it paints this one-dimensional picture that it’s *only* for crime. That’s unfair, because there are genuinely positive uses. Activists in oppressive countries rely on it to communicate without being tracked. Journalists use it to protect sources. Even everyday people use it to browse without constant surveillance.
But on the other hand, a lot of the negative reputation is earned. There are marketplaces for drugs, weapons, and stolen data. That exists, and pretending it doesn’t is irresponsible. So the truth is somewhere in the middle — it’s a tool, and tools can be used for good or bad.
Q: For someone who’s learning networking or cybersecurity today, why should they care about the dark web?
NetworkChuck
If you’re studying networking or security, ignoring the dark web is like being a doctor who never studies rare diseases because they’re scary. The dark web is where a lot of cybercriminal activity begins. Stolen credentials, ransomware-as-a-service kits, exploit marketplaces — these things live there.
By understanding how it works, you gain perspective on the threats businesses face. It also helps you think more critically about privacy, anonymity, and encryption, which are core to modern networking. So, even if you never use it personally, being aware of it is essential if you’re serious about IT security.
Q: Do you think the dark web will become more mainstream in the future, or will it remain this shadowy corner of the internet?
NetworkChuck
That’s an interesting question. I think the dark web, or at least the technologies behind it, will become more mainstream. We’re already seeing that people want more privacy and less surveillance online. Tools like Tor or I2P are niche now, but the principles they’re built on — anonymity, encryption, decentralization — are gaining traction.
So while the dark web as a concept may always have a mysterious reputation, the reality is that parts of it will bleed into the regular internet. And honestly, that could be a good thing. More privacy, more control over your data — who wouldn’t want that?
Q: If you had to give one piece of advice to someone curious about the dark web, what would it be?
NetworkChuck:
Respect it. Don’t treat it like a theme park where you’re trying to collect scary rides. Treat it like a powerful tool — and a risky one. Learn about it, explore cautiously, but always prioritize your safety and legality.
Also, if you’re looking for a starting point, The Hidden Wiki is the most famous entry portal. It’s like a directory of dark web links — some safe, some sketchy — so it’s a good way to see what’s out there without wandering completely blind. But again, don’t click everything. Curiosity is good; recklessness is not.
To Sum It Up
Talking with Chuck Keith makes it clear: the dark web is neither the boogeyman nor the utopia people imagine. It’s simply a technology with both risks and opportunities. For those learning cybersecurity, networking, or even just digital privacy, understanding it is no longer optional — it’s part of the landscape.
If you want to follow Chuck’s work, check out his YouTube channel NetworkChuck, where he dives deep into networking, hacking, and tech in a way that’s both fun and educational.
Grab your coffee, brush up on your cybersecurity basics, and remember: the dark web is a tool. How you use it defines your experience.
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About the Author:
Muhammad Mubeen is an SEO expert and cybersecurity learner who specializes in ranking websites and improving online visibility. He has hands-on experience optimizing digital campaigns for major companies, leveraging his knowledge of SEO strategies alongside cybersecurity principles.
As a passionate student of cybersecurity and digital marketing, Muhammad combines technical skills with creative problem-solving to help businesses secure their digital presence and achieve top search rankings. His portfolio includes collaborations with prominent companies such as DataCamp, RankTracker, Amazon, and Writesonic, demonstrating measurable growth in traffic, conversions, and online authority.
