Chances are you probably don’t spend a lot of time in the “dark web.” It’s the part of the Internet that’s populated by drug dealers, child pornographers, and sex traffickers. Still, keeping an eye on this criminal underground provides valuable threat intelligence. If you know what types of assets are being monetized online, you can respond appropriately. In the above cases, dark web monitoring can pay dividends for your organization. And by reacting to threats quickly, you can mitigate the potential fallout.
“Threat actors increasingly request and share data that fit specific categories, leading to a more structured landscape for illicit data trading,” Boutboul says. Many marketplace sellers also provide zero-day exploits that have yet to be found or publicized. “In other cases, when companies reveal software vulnerabilities, the operational exploits become accessible on darknet forums and markets,” he says. “The actors behind an attack may not access the organization’s network directly themselves. They may pay someone else to do that because that person has bought a vulnerability on the dark web to gain the access,” he says.
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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, but that’s not the whole story. In this article, we’ll explore what the dark web is used for, both legally and illegally.
Navigation And Service
Illegal Activities on the Dark Web
Illicit Drugs: The dark web is often used for the sale of illegal drugs, including opioids, cocaine, and MDMA. These sites operate using cryptocurrencies, making it difficult for law enforcement to track transactions.
Stolen Data: The dark web is a popular place for cybercriminals to sell stolen data, such as credit card information, social security numbers, and login credentials. This information is often obtained through data breaches or phishing scams.
Using Tor means your ISP won’t be able to see the sites you visit, but they will be able to see you accessed Tor. By connecting to a trusted VPN (or Virtual Private Network) first and then using Tor, your connection to the Tor network will be entirely hidden from your ISP or other prying eyes. This gives you another layer of privacy and is a widely used method known as ‘Tor over VPN’. For an additional layer of privacy, make sure you use one of the top server locations to connect to using your VPN. This makes it almost impossible to track your dark web activity from beginning to end. Don’t get Tor confused with a VPN though, which uses tunnels to protect your data from lurkers.
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Illegal Weapons: The dark web is also used for the sale of illegal weapons, including firearms and explosives. These sites often require users to prove their identity and location before making a purchase.
Legal Activities on the Dark Web
How Does Personal Info End Up On The Dark Web?
Whistleblowing: The dark web can be used for whistleblowing, allowing individuals to share sensitive information without fear of retribution. This is often done through websites like SecureDrop, which allow sources to submit documents anonymously.
Much like Open Web content, Dark Web sites are incredibly diverse and include shops, link directories, communication platforms, and content hosting. Unlike the Open Web, however, the vast majority of Dark Web sites contain controversial or illicit content. OpenBazaar is a peer-to-peer marketplace that allows users to host stores, browse products, and make purchases easily.
Political Activism: The dark web can be used for political activism, allowing individuals to communicate and organize without fear of government surveillance. This is often done through websites like Tor, which provide anonymity and encryption.
Is my password on the dark web?
Other Ways to Check if Your Email and Password Are on the Dark Web: Use a Reputable Dark Web Scan Tool: There are several reputable platforms available online that can scan the dark web for your data. Some examples include HaveIBeenPwned, Experian, and IdentityGuard.
Privacy Protection: The dark web can be used for privacy protection, allowing individuals to browse the internet anonymously. This is often done through websites like Tor, which provide encryption and mask users’ IP addresses.
How did my personal information get on the dark web?
If you're wondering “how does one's personal information get on the Dark Web?”, the answer includes data breaches, scams, and a very diverse range of cyber-attacks (phishing through email, private messages and voice calls, social media impersonation, malware infections or digital identity theft).
It is now one of the most common browsers used to access the dark web, using databases to help people make their way around and find the information they need. Here’s a guide that will help you learn about the dark web, the sites that populate it, and how you can visit it safely using the added protection of a VPN and antivirus software. If you get an alert that Aura has discovered your data on Dark Web sites, the most effective action you can take is to contact Aura Customer Support. Aura’s team works with you to create a remediation plan to secure your credit cards, bank accounts, and IDs to prevent identity theft or fraud.
FAQs
- Silobreaker puts the widest range of threat intelligence in one place, automatically collecting and analysing data from millions of sources, including those on the open, deep and dark web.
- Leaks of personal data can also lead to damage to your reputation via social fraud.
- The deep web rests below the surface and accounts for approximately 90% of all websites.
- What is the dark web? The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers.
- Is the dark web illegal? No, the dark web itself is not illegal. However, it is often used for illegal activities, such as the sale of drugs, stolen data, and illegal weapons.
- How do I access the dark web? To access the dark web, you’ll need to use a special browser, such as Tor, which provides anonymity and encryption.
- Is the dark web safe? No, the dark web can be dangerous. It’s often used for illegal activities, and there’s a risk of malware and other security threats.
In conclusion, the dark web is used for a variety of activities, both legal and illegal. While it can be a valuable tool for whistleblowing, political activism, and privacy protection, it’s also often used for illegal activities such as the sale of drugs, stolen data, and illegal weapons. If you choose to explore the dark web, be sure to take precautions to protect your privacy and security.
Who created the dark web?
The dark web is known to have begun in 2000 with the release of Freenet, the thesis project of University of Edinburgh student Ian Clarke, who set out to create a "Distributed Decentralised Information Storage and Retrieval System." Clarke aimed to create a new way to anonymously communicate and share files online.
