The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It has been associated with various illegal activities, making it a topic of interest for many. In this article, we will discuss the latest dark web news and what you need to know about it.
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a collection of websites that are not indexed by search engines and are only accessible through special software, such as the Tor browser. These websites often use encryption and anonymity tools to protect the identity of their users, making it a popular place for illegal activities such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and even hitmen services.
Dark Web News
For example, a vulnerability scan can detect areas of the network that might be vulnerable to Common Vulnerability Exposure (CVE). Organizations conducting frequent security scans also allows IT teams to uncover zero-day vulnerabilities, unpatched devices, and other loopholes that threat actors can exploit. Other helpful security scans include penetration tests, malware scanners, database scans, source code scans, port scans, and more. The deep web protects confidential information, and the dark web allows users to browse with a considerable amount of anonymity.
Recent dark web news includes the shutdown of several major dark web markets, including AlphaBay and Hansa Market. These marketplaces were used for the sale of illegal drugs, weapons, and other contraband. The shutdown of these markets was a result of a joint operation between law enforcement agencies from several countries.
Another recent dark web news is the arrest of the alleged operator of the Dream Market, one of the largest dark web marketplaces. The operator, who goes by the name “Gal Vallerius,” was arrested in August 2017 while attending the World Beard and Moustache Championships in Austin, Texas. Vallerius is accused of running the Dream Market, which has been linked to the sale of drugs, stolen data, and other illegal goods.
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Dark Web Risks
Navigating the dark web can be risky, as it is home to a wide range of illegal activities. Users of the dark web can be exposed to malware, phishing scams, and other forms of cybercrime. Additionally, law enforcement agencies often monitor the dark web for illegal activities, which can lead to arrests and prosecutions.
How to Access the Dark Web Safely
If you choose to access the dark web, it is important to do so safely. Here are some tips to help you stay safe while browsing the dark web:
However, due to copyright infringement, Sci-Hub is considered illegal and banned in many countries. Facebook is aware of attempts by many governments to restrict access to a tool that allows strangers across the web to talk and collaborate freely. While its .onion address doesn’t make it much easier to maintain an anonymous account, it does make Facebook more accessible in places where it’s censored. Torch is one of the oldest and most popular onion search engines on the dark web, serving over 80,000 requests per day. Torch is funded primarily through advertising—purchased in BTC, of course—which is why you’ll find the front page blanketed with old-school banner ads of dubious origins. When you try to connect to a .onion website, your traffic gets routed around the internet, bouncing three times to random servers before it reaches your destination website.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection and hide your IP address.
- Use the Tor browser to access the dark web, as it provides anonymity and encryption.
- Avoid clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources, as they may contain malware or other threats.
- Do not share personal information or engage in illegal activities while on the dark web.
In the mid-1990s, to anonymize internet connections, scientists at the US Naval Research Lab created the first covert internet communications channel by routing and encrypting traffic through multiple servers. Their work continued in the early 2000s under MIT graduate Roger Dingledine, eventually coalescing into The Tor Project and Tor browser, a web browser that accesses Tor’s anonymized network and thus can serve as a portal to the dark web. In addition, reputation metrics have taken over dark marketplaces, with vendor licenses becoming the norm.
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FAQs
What is the difference between the deep web and the dark web?
The deep web refers to all parts of the internet that are not indexed by search engines, while the dark web is a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access. The deep web includes things like academic databases and corporate intranets, while the dark web is often associated with illegal activities.
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Is it illegal to access the dark web?
- The agency, based in The Hague, built intelligence based on evidence from Germany, which it said seized the marketplace’s “criminal infrastructure” in December 2021.
- The platform especially covers lots of news stories related to dark web markets.
- If you only want to mask your IP address and don’t need to access the dark web, then going online with a VPN is much easier and faster than using Tor.
No, it is not illegal to access the dark web. However, engaging in illegal activities while on the dark web is against the law and can result in arrest and prosecution.
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Wherever you go online, but especially if you’re on dark web websites, using a VPN helps you secure your data and protect your personal information. Avast SecureLine VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic to block hackers and keeps snoops out. Install Avast SecureLine VPN today to browse safely and securely, wherever your online travels take you. Your activities on the dark web are not completely immune to web tracking, and the expectation of anonymity can create a false sense of security. The dark web not only attracts some of the most dangerous cybercriminals, it also attracts authorities looking to catch those cybercriminals. So your dark web use may draw unwanted scrutiny from your ISP or law enforcement.
Can I use a regular web browser to access the dark web?
No, you cannot use a regular web browser to access the dark web. You will need to use special software, such as the Tor browser, to access the dark web.
Is the dark web dangerous?
Navigating the dark web can be risky, as it is home to a wide range of illegal activities. Users of the dark web can be exposed to malware, phishing scams, and other forms of cybercrime. Additionally, law enforcement agencies often monitor the dark web for illegal activities, which can lead to arrests and prosecutions.
Can I get in trouble for accessing the dark web?
If you access the dark web and engage in illegal activities, you can get in trouble with the law. However, simply accessing the dark web is not illegal.
The dark web and deep web are not the same — all sites on the dark web are technically part of the deep web, but much of the deep web is not part of the dark web. The deep web is simply the part of the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines, such as email inboxes, banking portals, or any site that requires authentication or a password. In some ways, the dark web offers more browsing freedom, but the lack of safeguards can leave you exposed to hackers, malware, and other online threats. Before you access deep web sites, you need to be aware of the dangers that can lurk on the dark web, such as viruses or other malware. Facebook’s onion version lets people access Facebook in countries where access to the social network is otherwise restricted. While Facebook itself has a questionable privacy record, Facebook’s dark web site helps people around the world connect, communicate, and organize, which makes Facebook’s onion portal a valuable tool for people living under repressive regimes.
How do I know if a website is on the dark web?
Dark web websites have a .onion domain and can only be accessed through special software, such as the Tor browser.