The Dark Web Small Yet Still Dark Place
February 15, 2019
The Dark Web is an easy scapegoat to blame for all of the Internet’s woes and perils. Even the name “Dark Web” elicits images of negative activity. The truth about the Dark Web is much more complicated than we are led to believe. The Dark Web is a tool to browse and publish information anonymously on the Internet. Yes, criminals do use it to sell stolen goods and for sex trafficking, but it is also a haven for journalists in oppressive regimes, freedom of the press, and freedom fighters around the world.
ZeroFOX shares more details about the Dark Web and its uses in the article, “Evolving Landscape And Emerging Threats On The Dark Web.” ZeroFOX’s article first explains some basic information about what the Dark Web is and how it started as a US Navy project. The project developed into the Onion Router or Tor browser that can access Web sites with the .onion extension.
As the Dark Web grows, its users are experimenting with ways to improve anonymity. Some of the methods are moving to deep web sites that are membership or invite only. These types of Web sites are breeding grounds for criminal activity. The threats increase as technology improves.
The Web sites that pose the greatest threat are the ones that are the hardest to access. Organizations often lack the ability and knowledge to monitor the Dark Web. The most common crimes on the Dark Web are:
“Physical threats, doxxing, and chatter against top executives, public servants/figures, and journalists
Consumer data for sale or exposed, often credit card dumps and credentials leaks
Distribution of copyrighted materials, movies, music and TV
Hacking techniques, vulnerabilities, and planned attacks on cyber forums
Sales of drugs, counterfeit/stolen goods, proprietary technology”
With increased pressure from law enforcement, bad actors are shifting from the “old” Dark Web to alternative ways to obfuscate, communicate, and sell their products and services, exchange information, and chip away at some social norms.
Whitney Grace, February 15, 2019
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