DARK WEB

The dark web is the World Wide Web content that exists on darknets: overlay networks that use the Internet but require specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. The dark web forms a small part of the deep web. Through the Dark Web , private computer network can communicate and conduct business anonymously without divulging identifying information, such as user's location. The Dark Web has often been confused with the deep web, the part of the web not searchable by search engine . The term dark web first emerged in 2009; however , it is unknown when the actual dark web first emerged .Many internet users only use the surface web, data can be accessed by a typical web browser.

The dark web ,also known as darknet websites ,are accessible only through network such as Tor ("The Onion Routing '' project) that are created specifically for the dark web. Tor browser and Tor accessible sites are widely used among the darknet users and can be identified by the domain "onion''. Tor browser create encrypted entry points and pathways for the user, allowing their dark web searches and actions to be anonymous.

Identities and location of darknet users stay anonymous and cannot be tracked due to the layered encryption system. The darknet encryption technology routes users data through a large number of intermediate servers, which protect the users identity and guarantee anonymity. The transmitted information can be decrypted only by a subsequent node in the scheme , which leads to exit node . The complicated system makes it almost impossible to reproduce the node path and decrypt the information layer by layer . Due to the high level of encryption , websites are not able to track geolocation and IP of their users, and users are not able to get this information about the host .Thus , communication between darknet users is highly encrypted allowing users to talk ,blog ,and share files confidentially.

A December 2014 study by Gareth Owen from the University of Portsmouth found that the most commonly hosted type of content on Tor was child pornography , followed by black markets, while the individual sites with the highest traffic were dedicated to botnet operation ( see attached metric . Many whistleblowing sires maintain a presence as well as political discussion forums . Sites associated with Bitcoin , fraud-related services, and mail order services are some of the most prolific .

As of December 2020,the number of active Tor sites in onion was estimated at 76300(containing a lot of copies ). Of these 18000 would have original content .

The dark web is also used in certain extortion-related processes. Indeed, it is common to observe data from ransomware attacks on several dark web sites (data sales sites , public data repository sites ).

Darknet marketing

Darknet markets mediate transactions for illegal goods and typically use Bitcoin as payment . These markets have attracted significant media coverage, starting with the popularity of Silk Road and Diabolus Market and its subsequent seizure by legal authorities. Silk Road was one of the first dark web marketplaces that emerged in 2011 and has allowed for the trading of weapons and identity fraud resources. These markets have no protection for its users and can be closed down at any time by authorities. Despite the closures of these marketplaces, others pop up in their place. As of 2020, there have been at least 38 active dark web market places. These marketplaces are similar to that of eBay or Craigslist where users can interact with sellers and leave reviews about marketplace products.

Examination of price differences in dark web markets versus prices in real life or over the World Wide Web have been attempted as well as studies in the quality of goods received over the dark web. One such study was performed on Evolution, one of the most popular crypto-markets active from January 2013 to March 2015. Although it found the digital information, such as concealment methods and shipping country, "seems accurate", the study uncovered issues with the quality of illegal drugs sold in Evolution, stating that, "the illicit drugs purity is found to be different from the information indicated on their respective listings." Less is known about consumer motivations for accessing these marketplaces and factors associated with their use.

Bit coin is one of the main cryptocurrencies used om dark web marketplaces due to the flexibility and relative anonymity of the currency. With Bitcoin , people can hide their intention as will as their identity . A common approach was to use a digital currency exchanger service which converted Bitcoin into an online game currency ( such as gold coins in World of Warcraft ) that will later be converted back into fiat currency . Bitcoin services such as tumblers are often available on Tor , and some such as Grams -offer darknet market integration . A research study undertaken by Jean -Loup Richet , a research fellow at ESSEC, and carried out with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime , highlighted new trends in the use of Bitcoin tumblers for money laundering purposes.

Illegal pornography

The type of content that has the most popularity on the dark web is illegal pornography - more specifically , child pornography . About 80% of its web traffic is related to accessing child pornography despite it being difficult to find even on the dark web , A website called Lolita City , that has since been taken down , contained over 100 GB of child pornographic media and had about 15000 members .

There is regular law enforcement action against sites distributing child pornography - often via compromising the site and tracking users IP addresses . In 2015, the FBI investigated and took down a website called playpen . At the time , playpen was the largest child pornography website on the dark web with over 200000 members. Sites uses complex system of guides , forums and community regulation . Other content includes sexualised torture and killing of animals and revenge porn. In may 2021, German police said that they had dismantled one of the biggest child pornography networks on the dark web known as Boystown , the website had over 400000 registered users . Four people had been detained in raids , including a man from Paraguay, on suspicion of running the network. Europol said several pedophile chat sites were also taken down in the Germanled intelligence operation .