By Aleke Francis AO
The internet has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate, offering countless benefits and opportunities. However, there exists a sinister underbelly that many people remain unaware of—the Dark Web. This hidden realm of the internet is rife with illegal activities, and it poses a significant menace to society. In this article, i will delve into the Dark Web, explore the dangers it presents, highlight the differences between Dark Web and Normal Web, outline notable successes recorded by agencies of some countries and discuss ways to combat this growing threat while noting the precautionary measures.
Understanding the Dark Web and its origin
The Dark Web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and can only be accessed using specialized software, most notably the TOR browser.
Unlike the surface web that most of us use daily, which is indexed by search engines, the Dark Web is intentionally designed to be invisible to search engines and difficult to trace. This obscurity provides a haven for illegal activities.
Origin of Dark Web
The origins of the Dark Web can be traced back to a combination of technological developments and the desire for online anonymity. Here’s a brief overview of how the Dark Web came into existence:
✓ Development of Onion Routing: The Dark Web owes its existence to a project developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in the mid-1990s. This project led to the creation of TOR (The Onion Router), which is at the core of the Dark Web.
TOR was initially designed for secure and anonymous communication. It worked by routing internet traffic through a series of volunteer-run servers, encrypting the data at each step. This made it difficult for anyone to trace the user’s activity back to their IP address.
✓ Privacy and Whistleblowing: The desire for online privacy and the protection of sensitive information, particularly among whistleblowers and dissidents, played a significant role in the development and adoption of TOR.
Activists, journalists, and individuals living in countries with repressive regimes used the TOR network to access information and communicate securely.
✓ Hidden Services: To provide even greater anonymity, the concept of hidden services was introduced. These are websites that can only be accessed through the TOR network and have .onion domains.
Hidden services are what gave rise to the Dark Web as we know it. They enabled anonymous website hosting and allowed the creation of websites that are not indexed by traditional search engines.
✓ Expansion Beyond Original Intent: While the initial purpose of TOR was privacy and anonymity, it also attracted individuals with less noble intentions. Criminals and hackers saw the potential for conducting illegal activities on the Dark Web due to its anonymity features.
✓ Evolution and Diversification: Over time, the Dark Web evolved and diversified. It became a hub for various illegal activities, including drug markets, hacking services, and the sale of stolen data.
The Dark Web, with its encrypted and anonymized communication, has both positive and negative aspects. It can be a vital tool for those in need of privacy and protection, but it can also facilitate illegal activities.
The challenge has been to strike a balance between protecting individual freedoms and privacy while ensuring that the Dark Web is not a safe haven for criminals.
Menace to Society
The havoc being wrecked by Dark Web crawlers is quite enormous. However, this article will concentrate on the following:
✓ Illicit Trade and Black Markets: The Dark Web hosts a thriving black market where various illegal goods and services are bought and sold. These include drugs, firearms, counterfeit money, stolen data, and even contract killings. Criminals use cryptocurrency for anonymous transactions, making it extremely challenging for law enforcement to track and apprehend them.
✓ Cybercrime and Hacking: Cybercriminals find refuge on the Dark Web, offering hacking services, stolen data, and malware for sale. These activities result in significant financial losses, data breaches, and privacy violations. It’s a hub for identity theft, ransomware attacks, and the sale of compromised information.
✓ Child Exploitation: The Dark Web is infamous for hosting heinous content related to child exploitation, including images and videos. The anonymity it offers makes it difficult to trace and combat these horrific activities.
✓ Radicalization and Terrorism: Extremist groups utilize the Dark Web to recruit, spread propaganda, and plan illegal activities. This poses a significant threat to national security.
Examples of Dark Web
The Dark Web is a secretive and hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by standard search engines. While it’s associated with illegal and illicit activities, it’s essential to clarify that not everything on the Dark Web is illegal. Here are some examples of what you might find on the Dark Web:
✓ Black Markets: One of the most well-known aspects of the Dark Web is black markets where illegal goods and services are traded. This includes drugs, firearms, counterfeit currency, stolen data, and more.
✓ Hacking Services: You can find hackers for hire on the Dark Web who offer various services, such as hacking into email accounts, websites, or even providing malware for cyberattacks.
✓ Stolen Data: Data breaches are common, and cybercriminals often sell stolen data like login credentials, credit card information, and personal records on the Dark Web.
✓ Digital Contraband: Child exploitation material, stolen art, and other forms of digital contraband can be found on the Dark Web. This is one of the most disturbing aspects of the hidden web.
✓ Whistleblowing Platforms: Some individuals use the Dark Web to leak sensitive information or documents anonymously, often through platforms like SecureDrop.
✓ Forums and Communities: There are discussion forums and communities on the Dark Web covering various topics, including privacy, hacking, and even political activism. These can be used for both legal and illegal discussions.
✓ Cryptocurrency Exchanges: Some legitimate cryptocurrency exchanges operate on the Dark Web. They might offer services that prioritize user anonymity.
✓ Books and Information: While the Dark Web is known for illegal activities, some users go there to access information that might be restricted or censored in their countries. This includes political texts and educational materials.
It is crucial to remember that accessing the Dark Web comes with risks and ethical concerns. Engaging in illegal activities on the Dark Web is illegal and can have serious consequences. Law enforcement agencies actively monitor and investigate criminal activities on the Dark Web. Accessing the Dark Web should be done with extreme caution and with a clear understanding of its potential risks.
Difference between Dark Web and Normal web (Surface Web)
Differentiating the Dark Web from the normal web (surface web) can be challenging, but there are several key distinctions to consider:
✓ Dark Web: Accessing the Dark Web typically requires specialized software like the TOR browser. This software routes your connection through a network of volunteer-run servers, making it difficult to trace your online activity.
✓ Normal Web: The normal web is what you access using standard web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. It is indexed by search engines, and websites have easily recognizable domain names (e.g., www.example.com).
✓ Dark Web: Websites on the Dark Web often have “.onion” domains, such as “example.onion.” These domains are not accessible via traditional web browsers.
✓ Normal Web: Websites on the normal web use familiar domain extensions like .com, .org, .net, etc.
✓ Dark Web: The Dark Web is intentionally hidden from search engines. You cannot use Google or other popular search engines to find content on the Dark Web.
✓ Normal Web: The normal web is indexed by search engines, making it easy to find information using search queries.
✓ Dark Web: Users and website operators on the Dark Web often remain anonymous. This anonymity is a key feature of the Dark Web and is achieved through the use of the TOR network.
✓ Normal Web: While you can use the internet anonymously to some extent, most websites on the normal web collect user data, such as IP addresses and cookies, which can be used to track and identify users.
✓ Dark Web: The Dark Web is notorious for hosting illegal and illicit content, such as black markets, hacking services, and child exploitation material. However, not everything on the Dark Web is illegal.
✓ Normal Web: The normal web is a vast space with a wide range of content, including news, educational resources, e-commerce, and social media, among many other legal and legitimate websites.
Legal Implications
The legal implications are highlighted below:
✓ Dark Web: Engaging in illegal activities on the Dark Web can have severe legal consequences. Law enforcement actively monitors and investigates criminal activities there.
✓ Normal Web: The normal web is subject to laws and regulations governing online activities, but it is generally a space for legal and legitimate endeavors.
It is essential to exercise caution and use good judgment when exploring the Dark Web. Accessing the Dark Web does not make you a criminal, but engaging in illegal activities while there can have serious legal repercussions.
If you have no specific reason to access the Dark Web, it is best to stay on the surface web, where you can find most of the information and services you need.
Successes recorded against dark web by notable countries
Efforts to combat the Dark Web have resulted in several successes in various countries around the world. While it is challenging to provide an exhaustive list of all successes, some notable achievements and the countries where they occurred are:
✓ Operation Bayonet (United States): Operation Bayonet was a joint effort by law enforcement agencies from multiple countries, including the United States. It resulted in the takedown of AlphaBay and Hansa, two of the largest darknet marketplaces in 2017. Numerous arrests were made, and significant quantities of illegal goods and cryptocurrency were seized.
✓ Silk Road Bust (United States): The United States successfully shut down the infamous Silk Road darknet marketplace in 2013. The site’s founder, Ross Ulbricht, was arrested and sentenced to life in prison for his role in operating the platform.
✓ Operation Onymous (International): Operation Onymous was an international effort that targeted various darknet markets and other illegal sites in 2014. Multiple arrests were made, and several websites were seized.
✓ Wall Street Market Takedown (Germany and the United States): In 2019, law enforcement authorities from Germany and the United States collaborated to shut down the Wall Street Market, one of the largest darknet marketplaces at the time. Several individuals were arrested.
✓ DarkMarket Shutdown (Germany): German authorities announced the takedown of DarkMarket in January 2021. It was one of the largest darknet marketplaces for illegal goods and services, with over 2,400 vendors. The operator of the platform was arrested.
✓ AlphaBay Shutdown (Canada): AlphaBay, one of the most significant darknet marketplaces, was taken down in 2017 with the involvement of Canadian authorities. The alleged operator, Alexandre Cazes, was arrested in Thailand but died in custody.
✓ Arrests and Seizures (Various Countries): Various countries have made arrests and conducted operations against dark web users and vendors involved in illegal activities. These operations typically involve cybercrime units and specialized law enforcement agencies.
It’s important to note that international collaboration is crucial in tackling the Dark Web, as illegal activities often span across borders.
Many countries work together to combat cybercrime and the illegal activities associated with the Dark Web. While significant successes have been achieved, the fight against Dark Web-related crime remains ongoing due to the ever-evolving nature of online criminal activities.
Successes recorded by INTERPOL in fighting dark web
INTERPOL had been involved in several successful operations and initiatives related to combating activities on the Dark Web. Some notable Dark Web successes as of 2020 included:
✓ Operation Blackwrist (2020): INTERPOL’s Operation Blackwrist targeted individuals involved in child exploitation and the distribution of child sexual abuse material on the Dark Web. This operation led to the identification and rescue of numerous child victims and the arrest of suspects in various countries.
✓ Operation Darknet (2015): INTERPOL, in collaboration with Europol and various national law enforcement agencies, conducted Operation Darknet. This operation targeted the sellers and buyers of illegal goods on the Dark Web, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of illegal items, including drugs and firearms.
✓ Fighting Cybercrime Globally: INTERPOL has played a significant role in global efforts to combat cybercrime, which includes activities on the Dark Web. Its Cybercrime Unit has been involved in multiple investigations, and its expertise in digital forensics and intelligence sharing has contributed to the success of many operations.
✓ Capacity Building and Training: INTERPOL has provided training and capacity-building programs for law enforcement agencies worldwide to enhance their capabilities in investigating cybercrime, including crimes on the Dark Web. These initiatives have helped equip law enforcement with the necessary skills and tools to tackle online criminal activities effectively.
✓ International Collaboration: INTERPOL’s role in facilitating international collaboration and information sharing among law enforcement agencies has been vital in the fight against Dark Web-related crimes. Many successful operations have been the result of multiple countries working together under INTERPOL’s coordination.
Please keep in mind that the fight against criminal activities on the Dark Web is ongoing, and the landscape is continuously evolving.
INTERPOL continues to be a key player in international efforts to combat cybercrime, including activities on the Dark Web, and further successes may have occurred since my last update. For the most current information, I recommend checking INTERPOL’s official website or relevant news sources.
Major countries and agencies saddled with responsibilities of combatting dark web activities
Combatting Dark Web activities is a complex and international effort that involves multiple countries and their respective law enforcement agencies. While many countries have specialized units or agencies responsible for investigating and countering Dark Web activities, the exact structure and names of these agencies can vary.
Major key countries and their relevant agencies that often take a leading role in combating Dark Web activities:
✓ United States – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI plays a significant role in investigating and countering cybercrime, including activities on the Dark Web.
✓ Department of Justice (DOJ): The DOJ’s Cybercrime Unit works to prosecute individuals involved in Dark Web criminal activities.
✓ United Kingdom – National Crime Agency (NCA): The NCA has a dedicated Cyber Crime Unit that investigates cybercrime, including Dark Web-related offenses.
✓ Germany – Bundeskriminalamt (BKA): The BKA, or Federal Criminal Police Office, is responsible for investigating cybercrime and working on international collaborations related to Dark Web investigations.
Canada – Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP): The RCMP is actively involved in countering cybercrime, including operations on the Dark Web.
✓ Australia – Australian Federal Police (AFP): The AFP has a Cyber Crime Operations unit that investigates cybercrime and online criminal activities.
✓ Netherlands – Nationale Politie (National Police): The Dutch National Police are known for their efforts in combating Dark Web activities, particularly in cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.
✓ Europol- European Cybercrime Centre (EC3): Europol plays a significant role in coordinating and facilitating cross-border investigations involving Dark Web activities across European countries.
✓ Other Countries: Many other countries have their own specialized cybercrime units or agencies responsible for dealing with Dark Web activities. For example, France has the Central Office for Combating Cybercrime (OCLCTIC), and Japan has the Cybercrime Division of the National Police Agency.
It’s important to note that international cooperation is crucial in tackling Dark Web-related crimes, as these activities often cross borders. Collaboration between these agencies and with other countries is a common practice in investigations on the Dark Web. The specific agencies and their capabilities may evolve over time to address emerging cyber threats.
Combating the Dark Web Menace
Combatting Dark Web menace involve various strategies. However, this article will streamline to the following:
✓ Enhanced Cybersecurity: Governments and organizations must invest in advanced cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and defend against cyber threats originating from the Dark Web.
✓ Law Enforcement and Collaboration: International cooperation among law enforcement agencies is crucial to identify, track, and apprehend criminals operating on the Dark Web. Specialized units should be established to tackle cybercrime and child exploitation.
✓ Public Awareness: Educating the public about the dangers of the Dark Web is essential. Promoting digital literacy and responsible internet use can help individuals avoid falling victim to its traps.
Signs to note to avoid falling pray to dark web
Avoiding falling prey to the Dark Web and its associated risks requires vigilance and awareness. Some key signs and tips to help you stay safe and prevent unintentional involvement with the Dark Web are:
✓ Secure Browsing Practices: Use secure, up-to-date web browsers, and keep your software and antivirus programs updated to help protect against vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals.
✓ Be Cautious with Links and Emails: Don’t click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources, especially in unsolicited emails. Be wary of phishing attempts, as these can lead to your personal information being compromised.
✓ Practice Strong Password Management: Use unique, strong passwords for your online accounts, and consider using a password manager to keep them secure. Avoid using easily guessable passwords like “password123.”
✓ Stay Informed: Stay informed about the latest online threats and scams. Knowledge is your best defense against falling victim to scams or illegal activities on the Dark Web.
✓ Use Reputable Marketplaces: If you’re engaged in online transactions or shopping, use reputable e-commerce platforms and marketplaces. Avoid making purchases on websites you find on the Dark Web.
✓ Protect Your Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing personal information online. Don’t provide sensitive data, such as your Social Security number or financial information, to unknown sources.
✓ Educate Yourself and Your Family: Teach your family members, especially children, about online safety and the potential dangers of the Dark Web. Ensure they understand the importance of not sharing personal information with strangers online.
✓ Use Secure Wi-Fi and Networks: When using public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing sensitive information or making financial transactions. Public networks can be less secure, making it easier for hackers to intercept your data.
✓ Employ Encryption Tools: Use encryption tools such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for added online privacy. A VPN can help anonymize your internet connection and protect your data from eavesdropping.
✓ Avoid Illegal Activities: This should go without saying, but don’t engage in illegal activities on the internet, including the Dark Web. Engaging in such activities not only puts you at risk of legal consequences but also exposes you to potentially dangerous individuals.
✓ Trust Your Instincts: If something seems too good to be true or feels suspicious, trust your instincts and avoid it. Scammers and criminals often rely on enticing offers or messages to lure victims.
✓ Seek Professional Help: If you believe you may have become a victim of cybercrime or have encountered illegal activities online, report it to law enforcement or the appropriate authorities. They can provide guidance and assistance.
Remember that the Dark Web is not a place where you accidentally stumble upon illegal activities. It typically requires intentional actions to access it. By staying informed, practicing online safety, and using common sense, you can significantly reduce the risk of encountering the Dark Web’s darker aspects.
In conclusion, the Dark Web, with its cloak of anonymity, poses a grave menace to society. It facilitates illegal activities that harm individuals and institutions alike. To counter this threat, it is imperative for governments, law enforcement agencies, and the public to join forces. Strengthening cybersecurity measures, enforcing the law, and raising awareness are key steps in safeguarding the digital world from the nefarious activities of the Dark Web. By tackling this menace head-on, we can hope to restore a safer and more secure internet for all.
Aleke Francis AO is a Cybersecurity expert, CyberThreat Intelligence Analyst, Researcher and an InfoTech blogger – The researcher can be reached via afraexkonsult@gmail.com, 08062062303