The Hidden Internet: Inside the Mysterious World of the Dark Web

What is Dark Web?

The dark web is a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden, requiring a specific browser—Tor—to access. It is estimated to represent around 5% of the total content available on the internet. The dark web is used for keeping internet activity anonymous and private, which can be helpful in both legal and illegal applications. It was created in 2000 with the release of Freenet, a thesis project by University of Edinburgh student Ian Clarke. The dark web forms a small part of the deep web, which refers to anything on the internet that is not indexed by and, therefore, accessible via a search engine like Google.

Dark web dangers

The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and can only be accessed using special software. It is a common gathering place for hackers and other cybercriminals, making it a risky activity to browse. The dark web can expose users to unnecessary risks such as viruses, malware, trojans, ransomware or other malicious files. It is also home to illegal activities such as drug trafficking and weapons trading, which can have legal implications for those who associate with these activities.

The dark web can also be used for legitimate purposes such as anonymous communication and data sharing, but users should exercise caution when browsing the dark web due to the potential dangers it poses. To protect yourself from the dangers of the dark web, it is important to trust your intuition, use strong passwords, avoid giving out personal information, use secure networks, and be aware of phishing scams.

Dark web illegal activities

The Dark Web is a subset of the internet that requires specialized software and permission to access. It is used by people wishing to carry out illegal activities online, such as selling weapons or drugs. Other potential illegal activities include identity theft, blueprint distribution, human trafficking, and weapon sales. The anonymous nature of the Dark Web makes it attractive to criminals who can conduct illegal transactions without fear of being caught.

The most dangerous category of goods marketed on the Dark Web is illegal drugs, with fentanyl sales being a major focus of U.S. law enforcement. Other illicit activities include arms trafficking, drug dealing, and the sharing of exploitative content such as pornography and images of violence and other types of abuse. Websites also support the rhetoric of neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other extremist groups.

Investigators have their work cut out for them when trying to catch criminals on the Dark Web due to its anonymous nature. One way they do this is by going undercover online, though there are risks associated with conducting illicit activities on the Dark Web as law enforcement is watching.

Dark web law enforcement

Law enforcement agencies are increasingly engaging with the dark web to investigate and combat criminal activity. This includes activities such as drug trafficking, gun marketplaces, terrorist sites, malicious software fora, and child abuse content boards.Law enforcement agencies have a number of techniques available to them to police the dark web, including network investigative techniques. However, these techniques can raise legal quandaries as their use collides with long-standing legal principles in liberal democratic regimes.The Federal Bureau of Investigation's 2015 closure of the darknet Playpen child pornography site is an example of law enforcement successfully engaging with the dark web. The authors of this case study suggest that finding ways to minimize the excesses of the dark web through active law enforcement engagement while preserving legal principles is key.In addition to improved training for law enforcement officers and sharing information across jurisdictions, improving understanding and investigation of illicit activity on the dark web is also important.

Cybercrime Statistics

Cybercrime is on the rise around the world. According to , in the first two months of 2022 alone, there were more reported cyber crimes than in all of 2018. The pandemic has only exacerbated this trend, with reported crime jumping significantly from 2019 to 2020 and continuing to increase in 2021. Different countries are experiencing different rates of growth, with the UK seeing the highest number of cyber crime victims per million internet users in 2022.

Projects that global cybercrime costs will grow by 15 percent per year over the next five years, reaching $10.5 trillion USD annually by 2025. This is due to a combination of factors including increased hostile nation-state sponsored and organized crime gang hacking activities, as well as a growing cyberattack surface.

The FBI  is the lead federal agency for investigating cyber attacks in the United States. They offer resources for reporting cyber crime and tips for staying safe online. They also warn against online predators and common scams.

Finally,  provides statistics on identity theft and cybercrime by state in the US, showing that rates vary significantly across different regions.

The Dark Web poses a cyber-security risk to anyone on the Internet. It provides an easy way for people to connect and engage in illicit activities, and is a breeding ground for criminal activity due to its anonymity. However, even on the Dark Web, anonymity is not guaranteed. The Dark Web can be used by both cybercriminals and political dissidents.