How Do Identity Thieves Use The Dark Web?

Dark Web Chat/Social Networks

The surface web is part of the iceberg above the water, visible and accessible to everyone. Then the deep web is right under the water – it’s less accessible, but basic swimming skills would be enough to get there. Meanwhile, the dark web is part of the iceberg deepest in the water – you’d need special diving equipment to reach it. As cyber attacks accelerate and nefarious actors all over the globe seek to more rapidly connect with buyers of illegal goods and information, the term Dark Web has entered the lexicon in a prominent way. Using threat intelligence platforms to analyze the threat data gathered from the dark web also enables organizations to defend themselves against attacks more effectively.

Stay Alert To Social Engineering Attacks

What is on the Dark Web?

What Is Threat Hunting?

• Of all listings (excluding those selling drugs), 60% could potentially harm enterprises.
• For example, cyberattacks and trafficking are activities that the participants know will be incriminating.
• The Silk Road was shut down by the FBI in 2013 and the site’s founder Ross Ulbricht was arrested and sentenced to life in prison.
• From a statistical standpoint, this collective of websites and data makes up under 5% of the total internet.

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It requires special versus market darknet software, such as the Tor browser, to access. The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, but it also has legitimate uses.

Illegal Activities on the Dark Web

The dark web, sometimes called the dark net, is an encrypted part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines. Dark web content resides on an overlay network that requires a specific configuration to access. One well-known way to access the dark web is through the Tor browser. It uses multiple layers of encryption to conceal both the source and destination of web traffic. The Dark Web is designed to protect the anonymity of its users, which makes it an ideal location for criminals.

Once you have those, there are several ways to tunnel through the dark web. Tor relays are servers run by volunteers, designed to keep your activities private and untraceable. It’s a mixed bag of the very bad and the potentially good, attracting both criminals and those seeking freedom from surveillance for various reasons. Unfortunately, there is no way to permanently remove your information from the Dark Web. Sometimes it is difficult to remove it from the Deep Web, or even from the World Wide Web, in spite of these two being governed by regulations that give you “the right to be forgotten” (e.g. GDPR).

Like VPNs, Tor networks use virtual tunnels, but unlike VPNs, these tunnels don’t connect clients directly to servers. Instead, Tor clients create circuits through relay points in the Tor network. So, refrain from sharing too much information online, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and avoid answering questions on memes that often mimic security questions.

Drugs: The dark web is known for the sale of illegal drugs. Online marketplaces, such as the now-defunct Silk Road, have made it easy for people to buy and sell drugs anonymously.

Weapons: The dark web is also used for the sale of illegal weapons. This includes firearms, explosives, and other dangerous items.

Stolen Data: Stolen data, such as credit card information and personal identities, are often sold on the dark web. Hackers and cybercriminals use the dark web to sell this information to the highest bidder.

Child Pornography: The dark web is also used for the distribution guns on dark web of child pornography. This is a serious crime and is illegal in most countries.

Legitimate Uses of the Dark Web

Despite its association with illegal activities, the dark web also has legitimate uses. Here are a few examples:

Whistleblowing: The dark web can be used for whistleblowing, allowing individuals to share sensitive information anonymously. This can be especially important in countries where freedom of speech is restricted.

Political Activism: The dark web can be used for political activism, allowing individuals to communicate and organize without fear of retribution. This can be especially important in countries where political dissent is not tolerated.

Journalism: The dark web can be used for journalism, allowing reporters to communicate with sources and publish information dark website anonymously. This can be especially important in countries where the press is censored or controlled by the government.