[Libs-Or] Tech-Talk: INTERNET - The Dark Web Explained and How to Avoid It

Thu Dec 18 08:56:27 PST 2025

Welcome to the latest issue of Tech-Talk!

Having trouble reading this email?
You can view the tech tip<https://www.tech-talk.com/the-dark-web-explained-and-how-to-avoid-it.html> and the communications tip<https://www.tech-talk.com/12-power-words-2-on-a-scale-of-1-to-10.html> online instead at:
https://www.tech-talk.com/login/oregon

When prompted for a username and password, use ORLIBTECH for both.

Tech-Talk is a paid subscription service for staff of Oregon libraries and is supported in whole by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered by the State Library of Oregon.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/34916cb2-412f-43fa-8294-1f7ecb0e9a3d.png?rdr=true]

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/f91d6eb1-56e9-480c-b773-40eb55d09031.png?rdr=true]<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0011ozRlYcxXzmGXhCZRN6hgVKgmn_7lawjfjwW-oXVlIsHHlouBtTI311nAFNduE6ch7G8tfcXA-Bo8g8juCkHgGtlw-gCtUidgGclIb_61dbD0Zb_Bw4-E7sfRaty2rYL22ueEqAOndP0QtAIpVFMGEKXc9A3uWwGa5z3iGOeQDht8US0R1pt2kt7aQeEgLz8ILiNJI7cnJRZo1XNz9SoWA==&c=MCQJ3bHdw9q4gJAzzJ0tCcwBSrtnZ1a3_5mIR3XyLjZy507v5Zdn2A==&ch=FCzXMtiTo_mCtpsd5ubjSiRxzj91jdYJ3spkB2IJNW12dCs_mA26CA==>

Photo by Markus Spiske<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0011ozRlYcxXzmGXhCZRN6hgVKgmn_7lawjfjwW-oXVlIsHHlouBtTI311nAFNduE6c47Vm0dNV6eSwdJzWraZiSZiArZLkIAMVUqbnjn7_L8T5NFI-vi1n7SxmISZPVIqlbrVUUwG_geNEfWxXqQsO8Yf_h1fkWFmcGAGfSGrkxvQzsX0HGXgfvt1SggRJx4nCnWsLO876CWYaM_2hV2dEb2-eZtuLJM7mOl6R2cOL7nhp76ROx_LZQFKEU91pzlycMqTBpuIev3ujC2NPSaICmw==&c=MCQJ3bHdw9q4gJAzzJ0tCcwBSrtnZ1a3_5mIR3XyLjZy507v5Zdn2A==&ch=FCzXMtiTo_mCtpsd5ubjSiRxzj91jdYJ3spkB2IJNW12dCs_mA26CA==> on Unsplash<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0011ozRlYcxXzmGXhCZRN6hgVKgmn_7lawjfjwW-oXVlIsHHlouBtTI311nAFNduE6cMPjE6OTgvUDB2p9aDCgOH9-dwM7JFFdG9XkkWj2ocq_0DpW07W6LBlo83PSaQtgeQYG3k6t67ixJfWCVMmZoz_tuXYpdUdohUuIjerLxCvi7IAFds_YCjNS_H9rmbg9QC6kQ7-of-PHpfoVtP1EaAvbO0h7odcT9W44-6FlUGIW8PlJPZmRu4MQRgnACzwVMdHDdICoiyRpCV0D4owGLxJPXAeM7bxx9uXi9wYzlPrbO7qb2rvEJQmJtlV9VW70b&c=MCQJ3bHdw9q4gJAzzJ0tCcwBSrtnZ1a3_5mIR3XyLjZy507v5Zdn2A==&ch=FCzXMtiTo_mCtpsd5ubjSiRxzj91jdYJ3spkB2IJNW12dCs_mA26CA==>

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/e25f6bcf-26a8-4e59-91f2-cc248962042d.png?rdr=true]<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0011ozRlYcxXzmGXhCZRN6hgVKgmn_7lawjfjwW-oXVlIsHHlouBtTI3--FBxF7KNrrK_unkZgSDiMx2BcdfGLTDRQpKwkDXPIjfumJn1Z73UUkQwg0iUoVZV2a_wGpnQOoyi_qcGI4XK0jQ1g79NL3aukWZEt6TIRV-OZhTBAzpn5FdgLOuQDxBqm4AkOq7s4hOQc9cOybrnv-4-U2DIFcoA==&c=MCQJ3bHdw9q4gJAzzJ0tCcwBSrtnZ1a3_5mIR3XyLjZy507v5Zdn2A==&ch=FCzXMtiTo_mCtpsd5ubjSiRxzj91jdYJ3spkB2IJNW12dCs_mA26CA==>

Webinars for You

NOTE: Webinars begin at 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / 12 Noon PT and are one hour long.

January 7: [GRAPHICS] GIF Animations for Images, Websites and Social Media. Why Attend? You want your graphics to grab attention.

January 14: [CYBERSECURITY] Say Goodbye to Password Hassles with Passkeys! Why Attend? You want safer logins for your online accounts.

January 28: [COMMUNICATION] OurStoryBridge: Connecting the Past and Present! Why Attend? You want to capture people’s stories in your community, knowing that online, brief oral histories are the way to do it in the 21st century.

February 11: [GOOGLE FORMS & AI] Let AI Reveal the Story Behind Your Google Form Responses. Why Attend? You gather data with forms and want immediate analysis of trends and summaries.

View Webinars and Register Here<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0011ozRlYcxXzmGXhCZRN6hgVKgmn_7lawjfjwW-oXVlIsHHlouBtTI3xah4lE42ExqvEdZN645XvBOYhE8duuuFtdDvzJpu-tYvM5f-UkvJxVKfNc3yWY6rz_VimjP9evYbAo4dfClAd1Yk9_-2tB3H4413xtupzpeBK266_Exj0Q=&c=MCQJ3bHdw9q4gJAzzJ0tCcwBSrtnZ1a3_5mIR3XyLjZy507v5Zdn2A==&ch=FCzXMtiTo_mCtpsd5ubjSiRxzj91jdYJ3spkB2IJNW12dCs_mA26CA==>

INTERNET - The Dark Web Explained and How to Avoid It

Intermediate

[A laptop displays a dark screen with green code showing the silhouette of a hooded figure symbolizing hacking or cybercrime. The laptop sits on a black surface against a white background.]

You sit down with your laptop to search for something on the internet. You want to look for information in a safe and secure way. You may wonder…”Wait, will this search take me to a "dark" place?” "Is Googling on the internet safe?"

Most of our queries feel familiar. You use search engines, shop online, and read the news. But there’s another layer you will not see - unless you purposefully go there. It’s called the dark web… and today we’ll talk about what it is and how you can steer clear of it.

What is the Dark Web?

You hear about the dark web whenever cyber safety comes up. But here’s the thing… you cannot “accidentally” land on it. That’s because the internet has three layers:

1. Surface Web: This is the part of the internet you use every day. You do your online shopping, get your news, and find sites with search engines.

2. Deep Web: These good and valid websites are not listed by search engines. You use the deep web all the time without knowing it. Your online banking, school portals, and private databases are all part of it.

3. Dark Web: This is the hidden part of the internet that does not open through normal browsers, like Chrome or Edge. You reach it through special browsers.

The dark web sounds bad, but it is not illegal. It is simply hidden. However, it can hide unsafe spaces…stolen data, harmful files, and marketplaces you don’t want to find. It takes effort, special software, and very intentional steps to get there.

[A computer screen shows the word Security with a hand-shaped cursor pointing at it indicating a focus on cybersecurity or online protection settings.]
How to Avoid the Dark Web

Even though you won’t end up on the dark web by accident in your normal searching, you do want to protect yourself from the types of danger that hide in those spaces. Here are some simple steps to protect yourself:

·     Don’t install software that claims to give “private” or “hidden” browsing. You should only use tools like that when you have a clear, trusted reason. Most people never need these programs, and they can lead you into places you don’t want to go.
·     Be careful with links in emails. A random link can take you to a dangerous site…even if it’s not the dark web.
·     Keep your computer and browser up to date. Updates patch the security holes hackers try to use. These updates are typically handled automatically by the browser. But be sure to turn off your computer periodically as some require a fresh reboot to finalize the process.
·     Use strong passwords. If one of them leaks online, a strong one will help protect the rest of your accounts. You also shouldn’t use the same password for everything.
·     Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). This adds a second layer of security to your accounts. (See this Tech-Talk article<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0011ozRlYcxXzmGXhCZRN6hgVKgmn_7lawjfjwW-oXVlIsHHlouBtTI3yNQZ6NkWSYEWAyxwCMZaj-0pEI-FSDxpQAqRzDPrV1fjgNoogJvcBDE4y7YD6Cg5q7-46w8oPuT_Ow6r57zk3YUbrfhsMZIvg3DIBWgeY7t2IC2G8wfGHU8_zNv6BX2wY7jjdtPrB3lhG6seNDKbABLYMBIqg7tto6X56MNIghyd2gQyWFa56M=&c=MCQJ3bHdw9q4gJAzzJ0tCcwBSrtnZ1a3_5mIR3XyLjZy507v5Zdn2A==&ch=FCzXMtiTo_mCtpsd5ubjSiRxzj91jdYJ3spkB2IJNW12dCs_mA26CA==> for more info on 2FA.)
·     Be careful with file sharing. Files from unknown places may hold malware that can redirect your browser.

The dark web is not a place you casually bump into. You need special tools to reach it. But staying safe online is still important.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/e565d7d1-215e-487a-8e78-f332113e7825.jpg?rdr=true]

Communications: Power Words #3

"On a scale of 1 to 10..."

I know you've heard this from us before, but truly using the question of "On a Scale of 1 to 10" pays off. It will always give you the intensity of someone's belief, opinion, preference. So we are bringing this concept to your attention again.

Perhaps you ask someone:
·     “How do you like it?”
·     “Do you want to go out for lunch?”
·     “Will you accept this new task?”

These are the types of questions we ask our friends and colleagues all the time!

We want their opinion. We want their endorsement. We want their acceptance.

These questions are all fine and good. You’ll get a valid response. BUT, what you won’t know is how strongly they feel about your idea.

You seldom ask (it wouldn't do much good):
·     "How much do you like it?"
·     "Do you really want to go to lunch or are you just going along with my idea?"
·     "Are you accepting this task because I asked you and you think you have to?"

There’s a more revealing way: Ask for a number!
·     “On a scale of 1 to 10; 10 high, how much do you like it?”
·     “On a scale of 1 to 10; 10 high, how strongly do you want to go to lunch?”
·     “On a scale of 1 to 10; 10 high, how excited are you about this new task?”

A rule of thumb: If the answer is a six or below, it’s time for a conversation to explore what made them say that number. TIP: “What’s one reason you chose that number?”

This technique of measuring how much a person agrees with you generates trust, builds better collaboration, and reduces the chance of conflict.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/0091e766-eacd-41a9-87a5-f6588196ba86.png?rdr=true]<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0011ozRlYcxXzmGXhCZRN6hgVKgmn_7lawjfjwW-oXVlIsHHlouBtTI3xfonIhOJSd9gtuHsNew3TaqeDDBNGeu6D0zLzWMapCYxuFU1VTYrW9vQc9qihEaxT5L-7zbQTj3SrU8ng1OtOWad56_WgAIkpquIlkamQ70&c=MCQJ3bHdw9q4gJAzzJ0tCcwBSrtnZ1a3_5mIR3XyLjZy507v5Zdn2A==&ch=FCzXMtiTo_mCtpsd5ubjSiRxzj91jdYJ3spkB2IJNW12dCs_mA26CA==>

www.Tech-Talk.com<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0011ozRlYcxXzmGXhCZRN6hgVKgmn_7lawjfjwW-oXVlIsHHlouBtTI3xfonIhOJSd9gtuHsNew3TaqeDDBNGeu6D0zLzWMapCYxuFU1VTYrW9vQc9qihEaxT5L-7zbQTj3SrU8ng1OtOUICV_XyKOLw9tGQI6JD2fi&c=MCQJ3bHdw9q4gJAzzJ0tCcwBSrtnZ1a3_5mIR3XyLjZy507v5Zdn2A==&ch=FCzXMtiTo_mCtpsd5ubjSiRxzj91jdYJ3spkB2IJNW12dCs_mA26CA==>

When was the last time you visited the Tech-Talk online resource? It has all kinds of fun ways to solve issues, discover new ideas, and hone your skills!

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/207827a7-4ca9-4076-97ff-fa3c1919ea4f.png?rdr=true]

We're here to help!

Tell us what you are unclear about ... a new technique you'd like to learn ... or some fun tool you've heard about. Use this form!<https://opiayfbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0011ozRlYcxXzmGXhCZRN6hgVKgmn_7lawjfjwW-oXVlIsHHlouBtTI3yiEAaz4eK9a4yzAynPxaizOUZu21kVVNmrgl1jj4Q8xW4uj-GL1FxwAL4Vfpet5MbaDHJD2S4VgZFpALuTnUd4nTO4Npbjtr2-HkvkW7GeD9xmv7Z9iZgY=&c=MCQJ3bHdw9q4gJAzzJ0tCcwBSrtnZ1a3_5mIR3XyLjZy507v5Zdn2A==&ch=FCzXMtiTo_mCtpsd5ubjSiRxzj91jdYJ3spkB2IJNW12dCs_mA26CA==>

Copyright 1996-2025 Shared Results International. Published weekly. Distribution is limited by license. For information on how to include additional recipients, contact support at tech-talk.com<mailto:support at tech-talk.com> 585-615-7795.

Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
Continuing Education Resources: https://slo.oregon.gov/conted/
State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
971-375-3491 | darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>

[State Library of Oregon (Logo)]

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/libs-or/attachments/20251218/c89e70c0/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 15548 bytes
Desc: image001.png
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/libs-or/attachments/20251218/c89e70c0/attachment.png>