Content
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It’s often associated with illegal activities, such as the sale of drugs, weapons, and stolen data. However, there are also legitimate uses for the dark web, such as protecting the privacy and security of journalists, whistleblowers, and political dissidents.
The dark web continues to be a valuable tool and exchange network for many groups around the world. It is considered an outright necessity by some in order to encourage free speech, maintain a free press and support the work of law enforcement and government agencies. Despite the aforementioned limitations, this study has provided valuable insight into an unexplored research area, the Dark Web as a source of pandemic information and underlying associations during the COVID-19 pandemic in different countries.
Recent Dark Web News
It’s Time To Take Passwords And Employee Security Awareness Seriously
To find the answer, it is imperative to understand how the dark web works—and what makes it so difficult to solve its crimes and detect its activity. Once you’ve completed those steps, the best way to protect yourself from having your data breached is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. It attempts to hide a person’s location and identity by sending data across the internet via a very circuitous route involving several “nodes” – which, in this context, means using volunteers’ PCs and computer servers as connection points.
- A senior FBI official said arrests had been made in the US but declined to provide further details.
- While some use it to evade government censorship, it has also been known to be utilized for highly illegal activity.
- The use of a TOR-browser and the Dark Web is legal in most countries, but some countries such as China and Egypt have prohibited the use of the Dark Web [73].
- The dark web holds the world’s third-largest economy, and that economy is growing, which is bad news for businesses.
- These attacks often include stealing victims’ data and threatening to release it on the dark web if the ransom isn’t paid.
- Some of this data has been gleaned from major breaches, like UC Accellion’s data breach affecting more than 148 million consumers.
Here are some of the latest news stories related to the dark web:
Protect Your Business From Dark Web Threats With Dark Web ID
- Dark web marketplaces shut down: Law enforcement agencies around the world have been cracking down on dark web marketplaces, resulting in several high-profile shutdowns in recent years. For example, in 2019, the FBI took down the largest dark web child pornography site, which had over a million user accounts.
- Data breaches and leaks: The dark web is often used as a marketplace for stolen data, including personal information, credit card numbers, and login credentials. In 2021, a data breach at a major US insurance company exposed the personal information of over 100 million people, which was later found for sale on the dark web.
- Cybercrime-as-a-service: The dark web is also home to a thriving cybercrime-as-a-service industry, where hackers and cybercriminals offer their services to others for a fee. This can include everything from creating and selling malware to offering “hacking-for-hire” services.
In 2019, Sweden and the UK were among the countries that had the most active Dark Web users [31]. Also, nearly half (46%) of the population in the UK were exposed to COVID-19 related fake news during the pandemic [14]. The unregulated nature of the Dark Web makes it a risky alternative to COVID-19 information, attracting individuals who are suspicious about the pandemic and overall active online users.
This customization means that the intelligence you receive is directly aligned with your organization’s specific vulnerabilities and threat landscape, making it far more effective than generic news feeds. Even though the dark web is touted as being private and secure, there are still risks involved. Just like the surface web, the dark web is riddled with scams, phishing sites, and malware designed to exploit new users who may not know any better. Many sites go defunct fairly quickly, either because they are shut down for illegal activity, their founders’ close shop after getting bored, or they move to a new address and name to help avoid detection. For example, dissidents who fear political prosecution from their governments might use the dark web to communicate with each other. As many as 70.79% of users claim to use the Tor browser for anonymity, 62.28% said they use it for additional security, and 27.07% used it out of curiosity about the dark web.
Utah Man Allegedly Paid Hitmen Bitcoin To Kill Two People
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the dark web:
- How do I access the dark web? To access the dark web, you’ll need to use a special browser, such as Tor, which allows you to browse anonymously. However, it’s important to note that accessing the dark web can be risky, as it’s often used for illegal activities.
- Is the dark web illegal? No, the dark web itself is not illegal. However, many of the activities that take place on the dark web are illegal, such as the sale of drugs, weapons, and stolen data. It’s important to use the dark web responsibly and avoid engaging in any illegal activities.
- Can I be tracked on the dark web? While the dark web is designed to provide anonymity, it’s not foolproof. Law enforcement agencies have been known to track and monitor dark web activity, and there are also risks associated with malware and phishing scams. It’s important to take precautions to protect your privacy and security when using the dark web.
These kinds of “dark platforms” of the surface web, even though not located in the actual Dark Web, are also known to contain conspiracy theories concerning the COVID-19 pandemic [94]. It is also worth noting that the number of respondents who reported having used the Dark Web for seeking COVID-19 information was relatively high in our data. However, all of our three countries are known to have active Dark Web users [30,32,33] and there is evidence that interest toward and users of the Dark Web have increased during the pandemic [20].
Conclusion
The dark web is a complex and often misunderstood part of the internet. While it’s often associated with illegal activities, there are also legitimate uses for the dark web. However, it’s important to use the dark web responsibly and avoid engaging in any illegal activities. By staying informed about the latest dark web news and taking precautions to protect your privacy and security, you can help ensure that your use of the dark web is safe and legal.
