EMPOWER - Module 6 - Searching the Internet

The World Wide Web

Levels

Surface Web...

• Openly available sources
• Navigated using search engines
  • Google
  • Yahoo
  • Bing
• Contains ~4% of the Internet

Strengths:

• Updated information

• Billions of webpages

Weaknesses:

• Not reviewed for inaccuracy or bias

• Disorganized

Deep Web...

• Not indexed by search engines
  • Password-protected
  • Unlinked
  • Dynamic
  • Non-HTML/text
• Includes:
  • Library Catalog
  • Library Databases
  • Personal email accounts

Strengths:

• Library pays for access to databases
• Reviewed for accuracy and bias
• Organized

Weaknesses:

• Less up-to-date
• Limited information for fast paced fields

Dark Web...

• Illegal information and activities
• Not easily accessed