The term dark web is often confused with the deep web, a subset of the hidden part of the internet. It exists on the darknet, an overlay network on top of the regular internet, accessible through specific software, configurations, and setups. In a digital era where cyber threats constantly evolve, staying one step ahead is imperative for organizations aiming to safeguard their operational integrity. One significant yet often unexplored avenue for enriching threat intelligence is the dark web, a concealed segment of the internet notorious for harboring illicit activities. The dark web has been used in recent years for a variety of illegal activities, including the sale of illegal drugs, weapons, and stolen data. One of the most infamous examples of the dark web’s use for illegal activities was the Silk Road marketplace.
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, but there are also legitimate uses for the dark web. In this article, we will explore what the dark web is used for.
Illegal Activity
Illegal Activities
- The dark web is often used for illegal activities such as the sale of drugs, firearms, and stolen data.
- For this guide, we’ll use the Tor Browser as an example, but any other web browser (like Brave) that supports the Tor protocol will work just as well.
- It gives you an additional layer of encryption and anonymity—backed by a strict no-log policy.
It can also help you detect and correct data leak flaws that you were not aware of.This research can be conducted internally or you can rely on a third party to conduct a reconnaissance audit. This kind of audit service identifies all the items related to your business that are exposed online. When most people go online, they do so via a computer or device that has an IP (Internet Protocol) address — a unique online identity. For starters, much of the content on the deep web is irrelevant and would only make searches that much more difficult. And there’s also a privacy issue; no one would want Google bots crawling their Netflix viewings or Fidelity Investments account. It’s up to you to be cautious of what you access and who you interact with if you decide to utilize Tor and the dark web.
Drugs And Stolen Goods
Unfortunately, the dark web is often used for illegal activities such as buying and selling drugs, weapons, and stolen data. Criminal organizations use the dark web to communicate and conduct illegal transactions without being traced. The dark web is also used for human trafficking, child pornography, and other heinous crimes.
In some cases, this is because they would be in danger if their identity became known – for example in countries where the government forbids a free press or where there is political censorship. Searches or messages sent via the Tor browser do not go directly to their intended destination. Instead, they are relayed through “nodes,” which are other computers operated by Tor users.
Whistleblowing and Activism
Stay Alert To Social Engineering Attacks
The dark web can be used for whistleblowing and activism. Journalists and activists use the dark web to communicate and share information without fear of retribution. The dark web can provide a safe space for individuals to express their opinions and share information that may be censored or suppressed in their home countries.
Privacy and Security
Can your IP address be traced on the dark web?
Although your internet traffic is encrypted on Tor, your ISP can still see that you're connected to Tor. Plus, Tor cannot protect against tracking at the entry and exit nodes of its network. Anyone who owns and operates the entry node will see your real IP address.
The dark web can also be used for privacy and security reasons. Individuals who are concerned about their online privacy and security can use the dark web to access websites that are not indexed by search engines. This can help protect their identity and prevent surveillance. The dark web can also be used to access websites that are blocked in certain countries.
What Is The Government Doing About The Dark Web?
A VPN, in combination with Tor, further adds to the security and anonymity of the user. Officially, the Tor Browser is only available on Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux. Many experts advise against using third-party mobile browsers that utilize the Tor Network. There are no standard web browsers that can be used to access dark web content. Tor is a network of volunteer relays through which the user’s internet connection is routed.
Is dark web monitoring safe?
Is Dark Web Monitoring Legitimate? Dark web monitoring tools are not illegal, but they do not take any action to remove your information from ending up on the dark web. They also cannot prevent your stolen information from being used.
Legitimate Business
There are also legitimate businesses that operate on the dark web. These businesses may sell products or services that are not available on the surface web. For example, a company that sells software may offer a dark web version of their product that is not available through traditional channels. Legitimate businesses on the dark web may also use it as a way to communicate with their customers and protect their intellectual property.
This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. That’s when Freenet, a peer-to-peer sharing network focused on anonymity, was launched. The dark web is quite small when compared with the internet as a whole. No one truly knows the size of the dark web, but some estimate that it accounts for just 5% of the total internet.
Conclusion
The dark web is a part of the internet that is often misunderstood and associated with illegal activities. While it is true that the dark web is used for illegal activities, there are also legitimate uses for the dark web. The dark web can be used for whistleblowing and activism, privacy and security, and legitimate business. It is important to understand the risks and benefits of using the dark web and to take appropriate precautions to protect yourself online.
What happens if your SSN is on the dark web?
If your SSN ends up on the dark web, you can become a prime candidate for attempted identity theft and fraud. Scammers can purchase your SSN on the dark web and use it to open new accounts and credit cards, apply for loans, activate medical insurance, or claim benefits in your name.
