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Understanding the dark web requires seeing it in relation to the rest of the internet. At the top of the iceberg is the “surface web,” the public part of the internet that anyone can access. For example, people curious about the International Association of Privacy Professionals need only type into their internet browser to reach the IAPP’s public website. Publicly available information from IAPP’s website is an example of data stored in the surface web. Rhysider sees a lot of young kids selling services on Instagram or instant messaging apps like Telegram. “So they’re feeling somehow secure behind insecure protocols, and that’s a shift,” he says.
With the increasing popularity of the dark web, it’s important to stay informed about the latest developments in this hidden part of the internet. Here are some of the most recent news stories from the dark web:
Muslim Hackers Knock ISIS Websites Offline
Sci-Hub provides free access to scientific papers, with millions of documents. Scientific journals often put their articles behind a paywall or charge high fees for access, but Sci-Hub offers open-access to read or download research papers. While it’s a deep resource, it’s also technically illegal in many countries because it violates copyright restrictions, so check out the laws in your area before visiting. LockBit ransomware group, involved in 17% of ransomware engagements in 2023, had its dark web site taken down by law enforcement units.
Major Dark Web Market Shut Down
- Companies requiring personalized levels of monitoring can pay for services from a number of forensic firms.
- Think of the dark web, then, as a small subset of the deep web that regular browsers can’t access.
- The dark web, also called the darknet or black web, refers to websites that are not indexed by normal search engines and need special software like Tor to access.
- Additionally, false information and conspiracy theories concerning the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccines are widespread on Dark Web platforms, providing a risky alternative to official health information and research-based knowledge [24].
- In March, the FBI shut down Breach Forums, a criminal forum and marketplace that boasted more than 340,000 members.
Just last week, authorities successfully shut down one of the largest dark web marketplaces, putting an end to the illegal activities happening on the site. This is a significant win for law enforcement agencies around the world as they continue to crack down on illicit online activities.
Dark Web Bloggers
To make its journalism more accessible to readers around the world, the New York Times launched its onion service in 2017. You won’t find any “hidden” stories here—it’s the same content as the normal web edition—but users in countries with government censorship will appreciate having a secure way to access it. In the digital era, it is necessary to recognize the role of various online platforms and how they can shape perceptions, opinions, and even behavior in the time of a global crisis. While some misinformation might be harmless by nature, misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to pose risks for both individual and public health. Due to information overload in online environments, conspiracy theories are prone to become normalized and cause resistance towards safety measures and vaccinations [29]. While the Dark Web and other alternative online platforms are likely to attract individuals who are skeptical about the pandemic, it is important to understand how these attitudes might further get reinforced in favorable online environments.
The Dark Web is characterized by high visual anonymity where interaction is mostly text-based and lacks social cues [88,89]. Visual anonymity facilitates self-disclosure and makes it easier to share sensitive topics [90]. This might be particularly true on the Dark Web, which provides platforms and communities for like-minded individuals whose interests can be seen as socially unacceptable, deviant, or illegal [71,91].
CyberTalk » Dark Web
New Cybersecurity Threats Emerged
Security experts have identified new cybersecurity threats originating from the dark web. These threats range from malware attacks to ransomware schemes that can target individuals and organizations alike. It’s crucial to stay vigilant and protect your devices from these growing threats.
Bitcoin Scams on the Rise
As the use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin becomes more prevalent on the dark web, so do scams involving these digital assets. Users should be wary of any suspicious offers or requests for payment in cryptocurrency, as they could be part of a scam designed to steal funds or personal information.
Staying informed about the latest dark web news is essential for understanding the risks and opportunities associated with this hidden corner of the internet. By staying vigilant and adopting best practices for online security, you can protect yourself from potential threats and navigate the dark web safely.
