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What Is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that isn't indexed by search engines and requires the use of an anonymizing browser called Tor to be accessed. It's a part of the World Wide Web that is only accessible by means of special software, allowing users and website operators to remain anonymous or untraceable. You've probably heard talk of the dark web as a hotbed of criminal activity, and it is. Researchers found that more than half of the dark web sites host illicit material.
However, not all dark web activity is illegal or nefarious. For example, you can join a chess club or BlackBook, a social network described as the "the Facebook of Tor" on the dark web.
Accessing the dark web, it's not illegal in most countries, including the US, the UK, and most parts of Europe. However, while the dark web itself is not illegal, some of the activities that occur on it are. It's important to note that accessing the dark web may be illegal in countries with internet restrictions, like China, Russia, and Iran.
Here are some of the most common illegal activities that are often associated with the dark web:
- Drug Trafficking: The dark web is infamous for being a platform for buying and selling illegal drugs. Famous marketplaces like Silk Road were primarily drug marketplaces.
- Cybercrime and Cybercrime-as-a-Service: The dark web hosts a significant amount of cybercrime, including selling tools and services to commit cybercrime. This includes selling malware, exploit kits, and even offering hacking services.
- Identity Theft and Fraud: There are sites on the dark web that exist solely to sell stolen data, including credit card information and personal identities. These sites often have thousands to millions of cards in stock.
- Illegal Content Distribution: This includes the distribution of copyrighted material, banned books, and other types of illegal content.
- Other Illicit Activities: Other illegal activities can include things like arms trafficking, human trafficking, and more.
It's important to note that while these activities occur on the dark web, they are illegal and punishable by law. The dark web is just a platform, and anything deemed illegal in the "real world" or on the surface web is also unlawful on the dark web.
On the other hand, there are several legitimate uses for the dark web. Here are some of them:
- Circumvent Government Censorship: The dark web can be used to bypass internet restrictions put in place by authoritarian governments. It can hide a citizen's online activities from a surveilling government.
- Anonymous Email Services: Encrypted email services are available on the dark web, providing an extra layer of anonymity. ProtonMail is one such service supported by the Tor network. Other dark web exclusive email services include Torbox and Mail2Tor.
- Anonymous Collaboration With Journalists: SecureDrop is a communication software that uses the Tor network to facilitate anonymous communication between sources and journalists. It is widely used among news media outlets including Forbes, Vice Media, and the New Yorker.
- Visit News Outlets: Some news organizations, like ProPublica, The New York Times, and the BBC, have established a presence on the dark web to combat censorship. This allows citizens worldwide to anonymously access their content, even if the government has blocked it on the surface web in their country.
- Contact the CIA Anonymously: In 2019, the CIA launched its official presence on the dark web for people who want to contact the CIA but are concerned about being tracked.
- Access to Academic Research: Academic research can sometimes be prohibitive to access—you often have to pay a hefty fee to access a single article. The dark web can provide access to this research.
In summary, while the dark web is often associated with illegal activities, it also serves many legitimate purposes. However, it's important to remember that while these activities are legal, they are still conducted in an environment that is unregulated and can be risky. Always ensure you're not engaging in any illegal activities and be aware of the potential risks.