Social Media
What is the Dark Web Used For?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires specific software to access, such as Tor or I2P. It is often misunderstood and associated solely with illicit activities, but its uses are more diverse than many realize.
The experience of browsing the dark web is reminiscent of using the Internet in the late 90s. The speed of the Internet is also similar to the 90’s dial-up experience. Making use of Tor can slow down the browsing experience significantly. Interest in Tor and the dark web increased rapidly in the aftermath of Edward Snowden’s revelations regarding the levels of Internet use surveillance by the UK and US governments in 2013. The number of Tor users went from one million to an estimated six million after these revelations.
The Onion Project was developed by the United States Department of Defense to communicate anonymously over the internet within its security network worldwide in the early 90s. Snowden’s revelation in 2013 specifically talked about using Tor to avoid surveillance. At its core, much of the activity on the dark web focuses on discussion forums, chat rooms, and news aggregators accessed only via Tor and thus hidden from traditional Internet search engines.
Key Uses of the Dark Web
Poor practices and misunderstanding of the current dangers can lead to major incidents. During a training session or a social engineering pentest, your teams are exposed to threats adapted to your company’s context. Raising awareness through real-life situations helps to remember good practices and to respect procedures. From a cybersecurity point of view, the dark web is like a huge marketplace, where sensitive data (personal data, banking data, credentials, etc.) rubs shoulders with cyberattack kits. We find indeed malware sold between $50 and $500, there would be 15 billion credentials in circulation. In conclusion, the dark web is a vast and mysterious labyrinth of websites and digital content.
- The dark web is a small section of the deep web that is only accessible with special software.
- This will encrypt your connection, hiding your IP address and geo-location tags from view while passing through several exit nodes so your end destination cannot be tracked back to you.
- For example, work intranets, password-protected areas of online banking and draft blog posts are all stored on the deep web.
- Use anti-malware software that is up to date and of a high quality, and perform regular scans on your device.
The available black market of illegal services can include buying anything from illegal drugs, firearms and stolen credit card details. Before it was shut down, the Silk Road was a well known dark web marketplace where you could buy almost anything. The dark web also provides plenty of practical value for a range of organisations, such as law enforcement agencies or cybersecurity specialists.
Basically, it’s a part of the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines. As an average internet user, you won’t come across the dark web since you need a special browser to access it. It’s certainly not something you need to stress about in your day-to-day browsing, and you shouldn’t let it scare you off the internet. Unless you actively seek it out, you’ll likely never have any contact with the dark web in your lifetime. Many harmful activities that eventually impact wider society are born and nurtured via TOR anonymity and funded by untraceable cryptocurrencies on the dark web. This is why monitoring and dealing with illegal activities is a focus for cybersecurity professionals and law enforcement in many countries.
Keeping devices protected with antivirus software, using strong passwords and being aware of cyberattacks are all necessary. With all this in mind, the Tor browser, which prevents easy online tracking, can be installed. Once this has been launched and connected to the Tor network, websites on the dark web can be accessed. The dark web is used for activities that involve anonymity, privacy and illicit dealings. It hosts a number of unethical activities – although not all are illegal. The dark web allows people to communicate privately and securely, protecting whistle-blowers, journalists or individuals living in countries with strict censorship or surveillance.
Most Dark Web sites use the URL suffix .onion, but this isn’t necessarily the case. You can find some of the better ones here, and if you’re genuinely curious about exploring the bowels of the Dark Web, here is a list of some of the more infamous sites you can reach. However, surfing the Dark Web is not the same as surfing the Surface Web. There are no search engines to direct you to the pages where you can get the information you need; one of the defining characteristics of Dark Web websites is that they aren’t indexed by search engines.
The dark web serves various purposes, ranging from the benign to the criminal. Here are some of the primary uses:
- Privacy Protection: Many users turn to the dark web to maintain their privacy and anonymity. Journalists, activists, and whistleblowers might seek refuge in these untraceable spaces to communicate sensitive information without the fear of surveillance.
- Political Activism: In countries with oppressive regimes, the dark web can serve as an invaluable resource for those looking to organize, share information, and mobilize against their governments.
- Black Markets: A significant portion of the dark web is dedicated to illicit trade, including drugs, weapons, and stolen data. Websites like Silk Road gained notoriety for facilitating these transactions.
- Hacking Services: The dark web also functions as a marketplace for hackers to offer their services, including DDoS attacks, data breaches, and information theft.
- Knowledge Sharing: Users often share guides and tutorials on security, encryption, and privacy techniques aimed at enhancing digital safety and countering surveillance.
Areas of Interest on the Dark Web
Aside from the outlined uses, other areas of interest on the dark web include:
- Censorship Circumvention: Users can bypass censorship in non-free societies by accessing blocked content.
- Anonymous Blogging: Writers can express their thoughts freely without fear of repercussion.
- Support Networks: Various forums exist for those dealing with sensitive issues, providing communities for mental health support, substance abuse, and more.
Potential Risks
While the dark web offers a haven for many, it is not without risks:
- Illegal Activities: Engaging in illegal activities can lead to severe legal consequences.
- Scams and Fraud: Many sites may be scams, putting users’ personal information or finances at risk.
- Cybersecurity Threats: Connecting to the dark web can expose users to malware and hacking attempts.
FAQs about the Dark Web
1. Is the Dark Web illegal?
Accessing the dark web itself is not illegal; however, many activities conducted on it are against the law.
2. Can you access the Dark Web without special software?
No, specialized software like Tor is required to access dark web sites.
3. What is the difference between the Deep Web and the Dark Web?
The deep web refers to parts of the internet not indexed by search engines, while the dark web is a segment of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and inaccessible without specific tools.
4. Why do people use the Dark Web?
People use the dark web for various reasons, including privacy, sharing sensitive information, and engaging in activities that require anonymity.
In conclusion, the dark web is a complex part of the internet that houses a wide range of activities, from the ethical to the illegal. While it can provide valuable resources for privacy and activism, it also poses significant risks that users must navigate carefully.
