The Dark Web is often considered the underbelly of cybercrime. Explore why and how to protect yourself in this blog post.

The Dark Web: Exploring the Underbelly of Cybercrime

WRITTEN BY
SAMER AOUDI

EDITED BY
EZOZA SUPIKHODJAEVA

The internet has revolutionized the way we live, work, and communicate, but it has also given rise to new forms of crime. One such example is the Dark Web, a hidden corner of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires special software to access. The Dark Web is a hub for illegal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and terrorism.

While the Deep Web consists of websites that are not indexed by search engines and require authentication, the Dark Web is the part of the Deep Web that is intentionally hidden. The Dark Web can only be accessed using special software, such as Tor, which allows users to browse the internet anonymously.

What is Tor?

Tor (The Onion Router) is a free and open-source software project that helps users maintain anonymity and privacy online by routing their internet traffic through a network of servers operated by volunteers around the world.

When you use Tor, your internet traffic is encrypted and passed through multiple servers, each one only knowing the IP address of the server it received the traffic from and the IP address of the server it's forwarding the traffic to. This makes it difficult for anyone to trace your online activity back to your computer, and also helps to circumvent censorship and other forms of online surveillance.

Cybercrime

The Dark Web is often associated with illegal activities because it offers a level of anonymity that is difficult to achieve on the surface web. Criminals can use the Dark Web to sell illegal goods and services, such as drugs, firearms, stolen credit card information, and hacking tools. They can also communicate with each other without fear of being tracked or monitored.

Having said that, it is important to note that not all activities on the Dark Web are illegal. Journalists, activists, and whistleblowers may use the Dark Web to communicate and share sensitive information without fear of government surveillance or censorship. Nonetheless, the Dark Web remains a major hub for cybercrime, and it is crucial for individuals and organizations to understand the risks associated with it.

The Risk

One of the biggest risks of the Dark Web is that it can be a breeding ground for cybercriminals who can use it to develop and test new forms of malware and other hacking tools. They can then use these tools to launch attacks on businesses and individuals on the surface web. In addition, the Dark Web is a major source of stolen data, which can be used for identity theft and other types of fraud.

It goes without saying, you should avoid illegal activities. When in doubt, do not do it!

Protection

The first step in protection is awareness. By accessing the dark web, you are exposing yourself. To protect yourself from the risks associated with the Dark Web, it is important to take steps to secure your online presence. This includes using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping your software up-to-date, and using anti-virus software. It is also important to avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading software from untrusted sources.