Are Dark Web Forums Still Worth Monitoring?
Understanding Dark Web News
Many news publications, like the ones listed above, have a SecureDrop on their .onion sites. Founded by security researcher Juha Nurmi, Ahmia is essentially a list of “hidden” sites that do want to be found. Onion sites are “crawled” and added to the list provided their “robots.txt” file permits it, and if it is not on their blacklist of sites with abuse material. The open web, also called the surface web, includes any public web content that is indexed by search engines. Web pages on the open web will show up in search results on sites like Google and Bing.
The dark web is often shrouded in mystery and intrigue, making dark web news a topic of significant interest. This component of the internet is not indexed by standard search engines and requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access.
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a subset of the deep web, which is the part of the internet not indexed by traditional search engines. Here are some key characteristics:
One potential risk is falling victim to cybercrime or data breach due to hackers targeting it as an avenue to sell personal data like passwords, credit card details, and other sensitive details for profit. Therefore, an identity theft monitoring program must be implemented as protection from potential malicious actors. Rating services are increasingly popular since dark web marketplace “exit scams” remain high. “Exit scams” occur when marketplace operators suddenly shut down, stealing funds from escrow wallets and disappearing. Dark web visitors have turned to sites like Dread, which is similar to a dark web version of Reddit, for information.
Careless usage of the dark web can expose a user’s personally identifiable information (PII); users could even discover that their PIIs were leveraged in illegal transactions without their knowledge. Risk also arises when a user downloads pirated content containing malware like trojans, worms, and keyloggers, allowing themselves to be tracked and monitored. The terms dark web and deep web are often used interchangeably; they both share functional similarities and operational differences that make them unique in the cybersecurity threat landscape. However, the deep web differs in that it doesn’t require a specialized browser such as TOR to access its contents. The deep web includes anything that is not findable on the surface of the Internet—websites invisible to search engines because they’re not indexed and aren’t meant for general public access. Luckily, the cybersecurity and international threats posed by the anonymity of the dark web are continuously being thwarted by government bodies, law enforcement agencies, and thousands of information technology professionals.
The unregulated nature, questionable source credibility and availability of forged certificates make the Dark Web a risky alternative to official health policy and information during the COVID-19 crisis. Our study shows that the Dark Web is an attractive COVID-19 information source to tech-savvy individuals who are suspicious about the pandemic and highly engaged in online activities. Given the increased popularity of the Dark Web during the pandemic, it is important to understand factors that motivate such use, as well as acknowledge unique characteristics and risks of the Dark Web compared to regular social media use.
Get the latest in privacy news, tips, tricks, and security guides to level-up your digital security. If you browse the dark web using the Tor Browser, your IP address will be hidden from the sites you visit. When you use Tor, your traffic is routed through multiple relays (or servers). The final relay before reaching your destination is the IP address you’ll appear to have. Yes, you can connect to a VPN server before launching the Tor Browser to hide your IP address from any node in the Tor network, and to hide the fact that you are using Tor from your network operator. Offering books for free, shadow libraries face the morality question of copyright vs. access to information and knowledge.
- Access requires special tools like Tor or I2P.
- It hosts various anonymous activities, ranging from forums to illegal marketplaces.
- It is often associated with criminal activities, but it also serves as a platform for free speech in oppressive regimes.
Also, criminals are increasingly using databases of stolen employee mobile phone numbers to attack employer networks. If your personal information is stolen, monitor your credit report for unauthorized activity or accounts. You can also freeze your credit report for a year after you have been a victim of a data breach. This ensures credit reporting agencies will not provide your credit report if anyone tries to open a new loan or credit card account in your name.6. Add additional challenges for financial accounts and mobile providers wherever possible.
The dark web has become a mainstream topic in recent years due to a significant rise in illegal activities on several dark web forums. A likely explanation for this sudden rise is the increased bandwidth of The Onion Router (Tor) browser, savvier cyber-criminals and the continued success of cybercrime. The dark web holds the world’s third-largest economy, and that economy is growing, which is bad news for businesses. We report both descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression analysis of the Dark Web use as a COVID-19 information source. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was chosen as a method to investigate the risk and underlying patterns in seeking COVID-19 -related information from the Dark Web. With multinomial regression, we are also able to compare whether associations differ between occasional and frequent Dark Web users.
Recent Developments in Dark Web News
- We also report goodness-of-fit statistics of the model, including pseudo coefficient of determination (Nagelkerke R2).
- With many Tor-based sites being overtaken by police authorities across the globe, there is a clear danger of becoming government target for simply visiting a dark website.
- The darknet, the hidden part of the internet that can only be accessed by a special browser, has long been home to various criminal marketplaces and forums.
Keeping up with dark web news is essential for grasping the ever-changing landscape of this hidden part of the internet. Here are some recent developments:
- Marketplace Shutdowns: Authorities around the globe increasingly target and shut down illegal marketplaces.
- Cybercrime Trends: The rise in ransomware attacks and data breaches has led to discussions on the dark web.
- Privacy Legislation: Various countries are implementing new laws affecting how individuals use the dark web.
Why Follow Dark Web News?
Staying updated with dark web news is crucial for several reasons:
- Cybersecurity Awareness: Understanding threats emerging from the dark web can help individuals and organizations protect themselves.
- Regulatory Changes: Laws and regulations surrounding internet use are evolving, and being informed helps in compliance.
- Research and Analysis: For academics and researchers, the dark web presents a rich source of data for studying human behavior and crime.
FAQs About Dark Web News
Q: What kind of information can I find on the dark web?
A: The dark web contains various types of content, including forums, illegal services, stolen data, and whistleblower information.
Q: Is it safe to browse the dark web?
A: While tools like Tor provide anonymity, the dark web can expose users to illegal activities and cybersecurity threats. Caution is advised.
Q: How can I stay informed about the dark web?
A: Following specialized news sites, subscribing to cybersecurity newsletters, and participating in forums focused on dark web news are effective ways to stay updated.
Conclusion
The world of the dark web is constantly evolving, with new events and trends shaping its landscape. Staying informed through reliable dark web news outlets can help individuals keep abreast of important developments and ensure safety in an increasingly digital world.
