The Threats and Dangers on the Dark Web

The internet is an endless place with millions of websites, databases and servers. The visible sites that can be found when you Google something are just the tip of the iceberg.

Below the surface is the deep web and the dark web. It was once only available to hackers, criminals and law enforcement, but now because of new technologies it is possible for just about anyone to access the dark web!

Did you know – The deep and dark web is so large that it accounts for 90% of all websites!

Those who wish to access the dark web or the deep web need to use Tor, a browser software like Google, but the difference is Tor uses “nodes”, a random path of encrypted servers to connect users to the dark web without their tracks being followed.

Websites on the dark web also use the Tor software to remain unnamed so you won’t be able to find out who has created them, who is running them or who is hosting them.

Many people actually use Tor as a regular browser to search the surface web as well as the dark web. Why? Because they refer their search history to remain hidden from the government and their internet service providers.

But using Tor comes with a negative side as cyber criminals and hackers also prefer to use it.

For some people the deep web and the dark web is convenient when it comes to finding series and movies that may not be available in their areas yet, while others go a bit deeper to download music and movies that aren’t even in cinemas yet. However at the deep, dark end of the internet you’ll find some scary and strange things.

Things like credit card data, fake identity documents, passports and even professional hitman services are available on the dark web. Illegal substances are one of the most popular items to buy on the dark web – learn more about the drug marketplace, the Silk Road here.

Thanks to a range of tools such as encryption and anonymization, there is little to no law enforcement down in the deep and dark web. This means that many materials such as “adult” content that will give you nightmares can be found there.

If you do choose to go deep into the dark web always make sure to restrict access to your device so that children do not have the ability to accidentally stumble across it. Should you visit the dark web or the deep web, always remember to be careful and tread lightly, you never know what you might find down there!

Should you need any of our OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) services please do not hesitate to contact us on 021 110 0422 or email contact@osint.co.za.