Understanding the Dark Web
Rosalyn Page has been writing about technology long enough to remember when the only thing to worry about was Y2K. Since then, the dot-com boom became the dot-com bubble, technology fundamentally altered our lives, and everything has become about security. With a particular interest in privacy, data, and security, Rosalyn has covered social media, AI, IoT, deepfakes, marketing tech, the cloud, enterprise tech, consumer tech, and digital transformation. Her side gig is an arts and culture blog, ‘Some Notes from a Broad’. And when not wrangling bits and bytes into words, Rosalyn enjoys low-fi hobbies like reading books, walking her Whippet Sketch, and having one too many coffees at her favourite café. It means that data breach activity has become more organized in hacking forums, chat apps, and paste sites.
The mobile app uses DuckDuckGo as its default search engine and is supported by the Orbit framework to provide secure access to the Tor network. No longer restricted to dial-up, many of us now consider access to a stable high-speed internet connection a critical element of our daily lives. We pay our bills online, check our bank statements, communicate via email, find information, and maintain a presence on social media. Avast BreachGuard monitors the dark web for data breaches around the clock. If a breach is detected, BreachGuard will notify you right away and help you take the steps you need to secure your data immediately.
Depending on the size of your digital footprint and your online privacy setup, your personal data may be leaking in small drips or flooding onto the Dark Web. As it pools together, hackers use it to fuel other criminal operations, combining details and reusing them for subsequent attacks. An organization’s most valuable asset is its people, so threat actors leverage human weakness first to compromise an organization. IT security teams should develop and maintain a robust security awareness training program that educates users about the dangers of the dark web and its impact on business operations. Arming each user with consistent security awareness will reinforce cyber resilience and strengthen the organization’s security culture.
It’s Still Mimicking The Corporate World
The dark web is a small part of the vast internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. It represents a section of the internet that requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. This hidden component is often shrouded in mystery and is commonly associated with illegal activities, although its uses are more diverse.
In countries with authoritarian governments, the Dark Web is an important space for freedom of expression in some parts of the world. There are all types of pirated research papers, ebooks, and software on the Dark Web available for download. Dark Web users download these files to avoid paying licensing fees. Some of these downloads can be infected with malware, such as keyloggers, spyware, ransomware, viruses, and Trojans, though. Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, once said, “The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn’t understand.” He was not wrong.
The internet most of us use daily — and probably assumed until now is the entirety of the internet — is actually what’s known as the open web or surface web. It is the format of the web we’re all used to, composed of open pages easily accessed by traditional search engines on any browser. Despite being where so many users default to, the surface web only accounts for a small portion of the entire internet. So with all this illegal activity taking place on to the dark web — is it really okay to log ont? While the nature of the dark web has led to abuses and exploitations by bad actors, this underside of the internet is not illicit by nature. The dark web can be a beacon of free speech in authoritarian countries.
Essentially, any webpage that requires a login is part of the deep web. That said, deep web content doesn’t necessarily have to fall into any of these categories. Any page that is non-indexable is technically also considered part of the deep web. Website creators and managers can mark pages as non-indexable if desired. We continuously monitor activities or policy violations providing cloud and network virtualized containment, as well as threat hunting SOC Services, and 24/7 eyes on glass threat management. The chance that some of your information is on the dark web is high.
How to Access the Dark Web
To explore the dark web, users typically utilize special tools and browsers designed for this purpose. The most popular among them is the Tor browser.
- Tor Browser: A modified version of Mozilla Firefox that allows users to browse the dark web anonymously.
- I2P: A network layer that allows for anonymous communication, often used for peer-to-peer file sharing.
- VPN: While not mandatory, using a Virtual Private Network adds a layer of privacy and security before accessing the dark web.
Two of the original market’s moderators put Silk Road Version 2.0 online only a month after the arrest. For example, if server A receives messages in the order 1, 2, 3, then it would send those messages to server B in a random order such as 2, 1, 3. This keeps anyone monitoring a single message from accurately tracing it between servers. It also struggles to anonymously send out mass messages as you would on Twitter since these types of messages would send the same encryption key to all recipients.
Potential Uses of the Dark Web
Despite its negative reputation, the dark web serves various legitimate purposes:
- Privacy Protection: Activists, journalists, and whistleblowers often use the dark web to communicate anonymously, especially in oppressive regimes.
- Marketplaces: There are legal marketplaces for items that are not readily available in conventional online stores, such as rare books or collectibles.
- Forums: Many communities on the dark web provide support and information on sensitive topics, such as health or mental issues.
The Risks of the Dark Web
While there are legitimate uses for the dark web, it is crucial to recognize the risks involved:
- Illegal Activities: The dark web is notorious for hosting illegal activities, including drug trafficking, weapons trade, and hacking services.
- Scams and Fraud: Many websites on the dark web are scams designed to exploit users, leading to significant financial losses.
- Malware: The risk of downloading malicious software is high, putting your personal information and devices at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dark Web
1. Is everything on the dark web illegal?
No, while the dark web is often associated with illegal activities, many users access it for privacy, security, and genuine purposes.
2. Can I get arrested for browsing the dark web?
- Conversely, the deep web is a regular part of the online experience for almost every internet user.
- Therefore, this content is inaccessible to most online users, and it is difficult to track the visitors of such websites.
- As with the Surface Web and Deep Web, Dark Web sites can run the gamut from legal to illegal activities.
- It is technically not illegal to access the dark web through the Tor browser.
Simply accessing the dark web is not illegal. However, engaging in illegal activities while browsing can result in legal consequences.
3. How can I stay safe on the dark web?
To ensure safety, use a VPN, avoid sharing personal information, and be cautious of the websites you visit.
4. What are .onion sites?
These are special URLs that can only be accessed through the Tor browser, often associated with content available on the dark web.
The dark web remains a fascinating and complex part of the online world. While it offers various opportunities for privacy and communication, it also harbors dangers that users must navigate carefully. Understanding its workings and implications is crucial for anyone considering exploring this hidden internet.
