Dark Web

                                                                                 DARK WEB

I. Introduction:

As shady as it sounds, Dark Web is an area of the internet which cannot be accessed directly and remains hidden beneath the web pages and social networks we browse. The internet is a big place, much bigger than what we are able to see by simply visiting Facebook or looking up on Google – the content on the dark web remains hidden and cannot be searched through conventional search engines.

The content which only exists on personal encrypted networks or peer-to-peer configurations is called the Dark Web.

It can only be accessed using special software and decryption tools such as a Tor browser and most of the websites on the Dark Web contain fishy content which need that kind of encryption. These websites cannot be visited using search engines or traditional browsers as their address are encrypted and cannot be traced using conventional methods.

The Dark Web sites generally use the Tor encryption tool to mask their identities due to which they can keep their activities hidden. The tool basically functions just like a VPN and consistently randomizes the host’s location to a different country so its almost impossible to detect where the user is.

Tor-encrypted websites can easily be accessed using a Tor browser. It provides secrecy for both ends – the website and the visitor both. The IP addresses using the browser bounce constantly to random locations while getting concealed under several layers of encryption.

The websites can be visited by any user in any part of the world by simply inputting the address in their Tor browser, however, its difficult to spot the location or identity of the websites.

"Depending on how actionable the Dark Web-based activity is, it can be extremely dangerous if the user’s identity gets revealed."

II. History:   

You don’t have to be a web wizard to have heard the stories of the dark, fantastical Deep Web. You know, the websites or Deep Web search engines where criminals and hackers collude to steal identities, change stock prices, or shut down a site of their choosing. The Deep Web history goes back a long way, but its presence has only recently been told as scary Internet campfire stories. However, the Deep Web is not only much larger than these stories imply, but it’s also much more benign in nature than many have been led to believe. The “Dark” corner and the Deep Web space are based on anonymity. However, both are only accessible with a specifically designed web browser, meaning that you won’t stumble upon a secret drug ring by just typing an inquiry into your search engine.

 III. Types of Web: 

   

1. SURFACE  WEB : (Visible Web) The Surface Web (also called the Visible Web, Indexed Web, Index able Web or Light net) is the portion of the World Wide Web that is readily available to the general public and searchable with standard web search engines.

(i)  Google : Google is an American  multinational technology company  that specializes in internet-related services and products.

(ii) Wikipedia: Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia, created and edited by volunteers around the world and hosted by Wikipedia Foundation.

2. DEEP WEB : (Invisible web) The deep web is a part of the word wide web (WWW) whose contents are not indexed by standard search engines for any reason 2.Michael  K . Bergman is credited with coining the term  DEEP WEB  in 2001

(i)          Online Banking

(ii)         Web Mail

(iii)        Online Magazines.

3. 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, the part of the Web not indexed by web search engines, although sometimes the term deep web is mistakenly used to refer specifically to the dark web.

1.The dark web is the World Wide Web content that exists on dark nets  overlay networks  that use the Internet but require specific software, configurations or authorization to access.

2.The dark web forms a small part of the deep web.

IV. DEFINITION:

Dark net websites are accessible only through networks such as Tor ("The Onion Routing" project) and I2P ("Invisible Internet Project"). Tor browser and Tor-accessible sites are widely used among the dark net users and can be identified by the domain ".onion". While Tor focuses on providing anonymous access to the Internet, I2P specializes on allowing anonymous hosting of websites. Identities and locations of dark-net users stay anonymous and cannot be tracked due to the layered encryption system.

V.SERVICES UNDER DARK WEB :

(i) BITCOIN SERVICES : Use Digital Currency Exchanger service which coverts Bitcoins into online game currency that will later be converted into money. 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. 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 money.

(ii) HITMAN SERVICES : There are several ads for an expensive hitman who demanded payments in bitcoins and more.

(iii) BOTNET SERVICES : A bot is a special form of malware that is considered one of today’s most sophisticated tools of cybercrime. Botnets are often structured with their command and control servers based on a censorship-resistant hidden service, creating a large amount of bot-related traffic.

(iv) HACKING : Cyber crimes and hacking services for financial institutions and banks have also been offered over the Dark web.

(v) TERRORISM : There are at least some real and fraudulent websites  used by ISIL(ISIS) in dark net. The Rawthi Shax is one of the terrorist group using  darkweb.

VI . WHY IS THE DARK WEB HIDDEN ??

In the case of the deep web, since personal records, government documents and such are not meant for public view in the first place, those are understandably kept safe. However, they still are mostly connected to the Internet since much of that information forms an ecosystem for many surface web applications.

The Dark Web is slightly more complicated . This part of the world wide web is often run on networks of private servers, allowing communication only via specific means. This enables a high degree of anonymity and makes it difficult for authorities to shut down.

Unfortunately, this has led to Dark Web to become a place where many illegal activities take place.

WEB BROWSERS THROUGH WHICH DARK WEB CAN BE ACCESED :

•       TOR

•       I2P(INVISIBLE  INTERNET PROJECT)

1. TOR :

Tor is free software for-enabling anonymous communication. The name is derived from an acronym for the original software project name "The Onion Router".Tor directs Internet traffic through a free, worldwide, volunteer overlay network consisting of more than seven thousand relays to conceal a user's location and usage from anyone conducting network surveillance or traffic analysis. Using Tor makes it more difficult to trace Internet activity to the user: this includes "visits to Web sites, online posts, instant messages, and other communication forms".Tor's intended use is to protect the personal privacy of its users, as well as their freedom and ability to conduct confidential communication by keeping their Internet activities from being monitored.

Download and install the TOR browser :

Despite its current usage as a browser that is often used to access parts of the Dark Web, TOR (aka. the dark web browser) was originally developed to help safeguard U.S. Intelligence online communication. Today, it is one of the few ways to access .onion websites, which are located on the Dark Web. TOR is a version of the popular Firefox web browser, modified to allow users to browse the web anonymously. The browser is designed to block or advise against user attempts to do things that might reveal their identity, such as resizing the dimensions of the browser window, for example. While you’re waiting for TOR to download, take the time to stick a piece of dark tape over your webcam lens. You never know what might happen. 

2. I2P :

The Invisible Internet Project (I2P) is an anonymous network layer that allows for censorship-resistant, peer to peer communication. Anonymous connections are achieved by encrypting the user's traffic (by using end-to-end encryption), and sending it through a volunteer-run network of roughly 55,000 computers distributed around the world. Given the high possibility of paths the traffic can transit, a third party watching a full connection is unlikely. The software that implements this layer is called an "I2P router", and a computer running I2P is called an "I2P node". I2P is free and open source, and is published under multiple licenses.

VII. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS :

While it can often be difficult to locate information on the Dark Web, there are several practical applications. For example, for attorneys tasked with protecting trademarks, patents or data, the Dark Web is a potentially excellent source for determining from where counterfeit goods are originating. The Dark Web may also be useful for finding the website from which illegally obtained personal data is being sold.  Attorneys should have a general understanding of the Dark Web in the event they are defending a client charged with using it to conduct illegal activities.

      VIII . Advantages:

•       IP Address is Secure.
•        Anonymous web search.
•          Access HTTP and HTTPs sites.

       IX . Disadvantages:

• Trouble with the law.
•  Storing money in online wallets.
• Shipment seizing.
• You can never check the quality of the product.

      X .Safety tips:

1. No to Torrents : Peer2peer client software is used for downloading torrent. hackers can see what your                                             downloading.

2.  Use Tails : It aims at preserving your privacy and anonymity, try not to use windows.

3. No Downloads : Do not download anything from the deep web you may either end up with getting child                                         pornography or malicious files.

4. Cover Web Cam : Hackers watch you from webcam when you are in dark web .

CONCLUSION

·      The dark web will continue to perplex and fascinate everyone who uses the internet.

·       It contains an enthralling amount of knowledge that could help us evolve technology and as a species when connected to other bits of information.

·      And of course, its darker side will always be lurking too , just as it always does in human nature.

“Freedom is a state of being capable of making decisions without external control”. So, USE  IT WISELY!!