Genesis Market, an online forum, hosted about 80 million credentials and digital fingerprints stolen from more than two million people, NCA estimated. British authorities said 17 countries were involved in the operation, led by the FBI and Dutch police which resulted in about 120 arrests, more than 200 searches and almost 100 pieces of “preventative activity”. SAN FRANCISCO — Authorities in the United States and Europe recently staged a wide-ranging crackdown on online drug markets, taking down Wall Street Market and Valhalla, two of the largest drug markets on the so-called dark web.
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, but it also has legitimate uses. In this article, we will explore the latest dark web news and what you need to know to stay safe and informed.
If you use a VPN, your data gets encrypted before it even reaches the Tor Network. Check out the video below to find out exactly how and why you should use a VPN with Tor. Dark Web also uses complex tracking software called Web spiders to search discussion threads and other content to find the corners of the Internet where terrorist activities are taking place.
What is the Dark Web?
BBC Tor Mirror
Thus, anonymity in the Dark Web essentially provides users with the freedom to communicate and explore ideas that are generally marginalized [88]. Like the traditional internet that we use every day, the dark web is a network of websites. But unlike our traditional internet, the dark web requires special security software to encrypt browsing activity and hide a user’s location and identifiable details.
- Tor estimates that only about 4 percent of traffic over its network is for hidden services (or dark web content); the rest is people accessing regular internet sites with greater anonymity.
- Customers of dark web websites can buy drugs, credit card information, customer lists and other contraband stolen from legitimate businesses and their employees.
- Kaspersky’s report reveals nearly 3000 dark web posts discussing the use of ChatGPT and other LLMs for schemes like creating nefarious chatbots and jailbreaking the original.
- Genetic testing company 23andMe is facing 30 lawsuits from victims of the cyber attack it faced last year, involving the theft of genetic and ancestry data from 6.9 million users.
- His name also popped up among leaked email that included tens of thousands of rows of data from thousands of people.
The dark web is a collection of websites that are not indexed by search engines and can only be accessed using special software, such as the Tor browser. It is often used for illegal activities, such as buying and selling drugs, weapons, and stolen data. However, it also has legitimate uses, such as providing a platform for free speech and whistleblowing.
Latest Dark Web News
How To Protect Yourself On The Dark Web
From this example, you can see that the “deep web” doesn’t have to be scary, illicit, or illegal. It’s further important to distinguish the deep web from the dark web — as the next section explains. It’s important to note that just because this type of content isn’t on the surface doesn’t mean it’s nefarious or has ill intent. A lot of the time, this content isn’t indexed because it includes pages that are meant to be hidden to protect consumer privacy, such as those that require login credentials. Dark web monitoring should always be done with the goal of high ethics and intelligence gathering only. Organizations should aim to set an established baseline of goals, key areas to monitor, and rules of engagement.
Here are some of the latest dark web news stories that you should be aware of:
- Dark web marketplaces shut down: Law enforcement agencies have been cracking down on dark web marketplaces, resulting in several high-profile shutdowns. For example, in October 2020, the FBI and Europol took down the largest dark web marketplace, DarkMarket, which had over 500,000 users and over 2,400 vendors.
- Data breaches: Personal data, such as credit card information and social security numbers, are often sold on the dark web after a data breach. In 2021, there have been several high-profile data breaches, including the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack and the Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerability.
- Cybercrime-as-a-service: Cybercriminals are increasingly offering their services on the dark web, such as creating and selling malware or providing DDoS attacks. This has made it easier for less skilled criminals to carry out cyberattacks.
FBI Email Servers Were Hacked To Target A Security Researcher
How to Stay Safe on the Dark Web
If you do decide to access the dark web, it is important to take precautions to stay safe. Here are some tips:
- Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) can help to mask your IP address and encrypt your internet connection, making it harder for others to track your online activity.
- Use the Tor browser: The Tor browser is designed to provide anonymity and can help to protect your privacy on the dark web.
- Don’t share personal information: Avoid sharing any personal information, such as your name, address, or phone number, on the dark web.
- Be cautious of phishing scams: Phishing scams are common on the dark web, so be wary of any emails or messages that ask for personal information or login credentials.
FAQs
What is the difference between the deep web and the dark web?
The deep web refers to all the parts of the internet that are not indexed by search engines, including databases, intranets, and other private networks. The dark web is a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and can only be accessed using special software.
Is it illegal to access the dark web?
No, it is not illegal to access the dark web. However, many activities that take place on the dark web are illegal, and accessing certain websites could potentially get you into trouble with the law.
Using Onion Over A VPN — All You Need To Know
The encrypted platform had more than 1m customer accounts, over 5,000 registered sellers and more than 60,000 sales offers, according to Frankfurt prosecutors and affidavits filed by US prosecutors in a federal court in Los Angeles. The US Treasury Department, in a statement announcing sanctions against the market, called it “one of the most prominent brokers of stolen credentials and other sensitive information”. Yet the desire to score drugs from the comfort of home and to make money from selling those drugs appears for many to be stronger than the fear of getting arrested. Put aside the shadowy metaphors because, in reality, much of the dark web will look familiar to many. There are even book clubs where dark web denizens debate their favorite novels.
Can the dark web be monitored by law enforcement?
Yes, law enforcement agencies have been increasingly monitoring the dark web for illegal activities. However, due to the anonymity provided by the Tor network, it can be difficult for them to track down and prosecute offenders.
How can I access the dark web?
To access the dark web, you will need to use the Tor browser, which can be downloaded for free from the Tor Project website. Once you have installed the Tor browser, you can access dark web websites by typing in their .onion URLs.
