Everything You Didn't Know About Dark Web, But Should
The Infographics Show・25 minutes read
The Dark Web is a hidden network for illegal activities, using anonymous networks like Tor and Onion routing for communication and encryption. Cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, is the primary mode of payment, with illegal activities ranging from selling drugs to hosting extremist propaganda and violent streams.
Insights
- Cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin, is the primary mode of payment on the Dark Web to ensure anonymity, highlighting the critical role digital currencies play in facilitating illegal activities on this hidden network.
- The Dark Web, while known for illegal activities like selling drugs and stolen information, also offers a wide range of services, including free access to academic papers and a secure platform for whistleblowers and journalists, showcasing the duality of its nature as a hub for both criminal endeavors and legitimate endeavors.
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What is the Dark Web?
A hidden network for illegal activities with encryption.
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Summary
00:00
Exploring the Dark Web: An Overview
- The Dark Web is a hidden network where illegal activities occur, making it challenging to access through standard browsers.
- Dark Web users utilize anonymous networks like Tor, Freenet, I2P, and Riffle for communication.
- Onion routing is a method used for anonymous communication on the Dark Web, involving layers of encryption.
- Cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, is the primary mode of payment on the Dark Web to maintain anonymity.
- The Dark Web consists of around 55,000 sites using the .onion domain, with only 8,400 active sites.
- Silk Road, the original Dark Web market, specialized in selling illegal drugs and was shut down by the government in 2013.
- Stolen credit card numbers and social security numbers are commonly sold on the Dark Web for illegal activities.
- Illegal activities on the Dark Web include selling fake college degrees, realistic silicone masks for disguises, and devices for illegal purposes.
- The Dark Web offers illegal wildlife trade, a news aggregate site called Soylent News, and dark web mirror sites for popular platforms like Facebook.
- To access the Dark Web, users need to know specific URLs and can utilize the Hidden Wiki for navigation, finding sites like Galaxy3 for social media.
12:08
Dark Web: Unboxing, Crime, and Cyber Attacks
- Unboxing dark web gifts can lead to unpleasant surprises like drugs, weapons, or mysterious items like a bag of hair or white powder with a threatening message.
- The dark web is frequented by tech-savvy Gen Z individuals concerned about privacy, with many mystery boxes potentially being elaborate pranks or viral stunts.
- The dark web serves as a haven for high-level criminals, particularly Russian financial fraudsters who use tactics like creating fake commerce sites to steal personal and financial information.
- Hacking collectives on the dark web send viruses to extort users for Bitcoin, with some viruses being destructive while others lock users out of their systems until a ransom is paid.
- New, smarter viruses on the dark web can spread through backdoors and target large systems like hospitals, government sites, and oil pipelines, demanding high ransoms for unlocking.
- The Wannacry cyber attack in 2017 affected over 230,000 computers, leading to global crises and the need for security updates to protect computer infrastructure.
- Extremist groups have utilized the dark web for propaganda and attack planning, with terrorist groups like ISIL having a presence on the dark web for gathering and communication.
- Anonymous, a powerful hacker group, targeted ISIL's dark web site after the 2015 Paris attacks, showcasing their ability to take down prominent websites and release sensitive information.
- The dark web offers services like chess games and access to academic papers for free, while also providing a secure platform like SecureDrop for whistleblowers and journalists.
- Notorious criminals on the dark web like Ross Ulbricht, the mastermind behind Silk Road, have faced severe consequences, with some engaging in illegal activities like identity theft on a massive scale.
24:38
Dark Web: Torture Streams and Red Rooms
- The dark web hosts a website featuring live streams of individuals being tortured and killed by masked individuals, sparking debates on whether the victims are criminals or innocent individuals. Despite authorities considering these streams an urban legend, they remain prevalent.
- The dark web, including the infamous Red Rooms, has gained popularity beyond the internet, inspiring horror movies and comics. Despite the scary rumors, the dark web is increasingly used for business transactions, with up to thirty percent of Americans having accessed it, leading to significant financial transactions primarily in cryptocurrency.
