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.

What was Silk Road and how did it work?

Perhaps one of the biggest, most popular stories involving the dark web, was the shutdown of Silk Road, an online black market that trafficked basically any illegal goods, from guns and drugs to private personal data and malware.

A few years ago, the mastermind behind the Silk Road, Ross William Ulbricht aka Dread Pirate Roberts, was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. He was convicted of seven drug and conspiracy charges, including drug trafficking, computer hacking and money laundering. Ross was also accused of soliciting multiple murders for hire.

Ross sent a letter to a U.S. District Judge prior to his sentencing, saying that he had made a “terrible mistake.” “In creating Silk Road, I ruined my life and destroyed my future,” he wrote.

First let’s get this out of the way; Ross William Ulbricht is extremely smart. I mean, it’s not that simple to build and maintain a secret internet site, on which criminals traded drugs and assassinations for years!

“People should have the right to buy and sell whatever they wanted so long as they weren’t hurting anyone else.” – This was Ross Ulbricht’s vision when he created the Silk Road.

After the closure of the infamous online drug bazaar, the underground industry suffered a major setback, and while Silk Road was over and done with, its shutdown has not stopped the use of illegal online markets for purchasing illegal drugs.

If anything, most people have learnt a crucial lesson from the Silk Road take down, and have come up with almost seal-proof underground sites. This unfortunate event has made it even harder for authorities and law enforcers to close down the illegal dark markets on the dark web.

These new sites that have popped up after Silk Road are also part of a hive of illegal activities ranging from counterfeiting to pornography and gambling. This has made them perfect breeding grounds for illicit drugs trading.

But, let’s get back to the story of Silk Road. How exactly do you manage to sell drugs and all sorts of illegal things online without getting caught for more than two years? Can you really buy a gun on the web as easily as you can buy something from Amazon?

Well, not exactly, but it wasn’t that hard thanks to Tor and bitcoins. Here’s how Silk Road worked before the law shut it down…

Ross operated Silk Road on Tor, which is a special network on the internet designed to make it impossible to physically locate the computers hosting or accessing the websites on the network.

If you try to navigate to the Silk Road URL on a normal browser, you will get an error. To view it you need to install Tor software on your browser, although you can’t try that now since the site has been seized.

So how did Ross Ulbricht get caught in the end? Tor said that he made some mistakes in operational security and was caught by actual detective work, rather than exploiting problems with Tor.  The FBI managed to track him down in part thanks to an online post that linked to a Gmail account.

But how did Silk Road actually operate? Well, all you needed to do was install Tor, type in the Silk Road URL (you would need a username, password and country to sign up) and you would easily be inside.

Once you enter Silk Road on the dark web it’s actually just like an illegal Amazon.com! You could shop by category, whether it be “Weapons” or “Illegal Substances”, or even look through the photos of the current inventory.

A customer service section presumably provided assistance when your batch of drugs were a bit late; there were also product listings with descriptions, seller information, reviews and the famous “add to cart” button.

Silk Road relied on the virtual bitcoin currency, like Tor, bitcoins are not actually illegal; however they are often used for criminal purposes.

So, you’ve paid for your illegal products online, but how do you actually get that package in the mail? Wouldn’t you get caught if your package contained drugs or weapons? The answer is yes, possibly! It was basically just a shot in the dark; some packages might be intercepted, while others arrive safely.

In the end, the ironic thing was that Ross Ulbricht was caught in part because he had counterfeit documents shipped to him, which were intercepted by customs and he was then arrested.

Do you want to learn more? “Deep Web” is a documentary that was made in 2015 that tells it all and unravels the tangled web of secrecy, accusations and criminal activity behind Silk Road and the arrest of Ross Ulbricht. 

After many years the Silk Road story is still complicated and has many twists and turns!

Do you have more questions or enquiries about the deep and dark web? Feel free to call OSINT on 021 110 0422 or email email contact@osint.co.za or learn more here www.osint.co.za

The Deep Web Vs. The Dark Web

You’ve heard the words before, but you don’t really know what they mean except that they sound scary. You think it’s a place where all the hackers lurk, but the truth is you’re not really sure.

Let’s clear the air on what each concept is and what you can find on them.

DEEP WEB

First of all you need to know that the deep web and the dark web are not the same thing, although they can sometimes overlap.

The deep web contains pages that are not indexed, meaning they will not pop up after a search on most search engines such as Google. These pages are basically invisible; unless you know the direct link or click on the link once you get in the deep side of the web.

Here are a few things you can find on the deep web:

- Personal email accounts
- Social media accounts
- Online banking accounts
- Businesses private databases
- Medical record
- Legal records

DARK WEB

The deep web is deep, but the dark web is even deeper. It is like the deep web meaning you cannot access it unless you know exactly where to go, however the dark web is more focused on illegal activities, products and services.

On the dark web you can expect to find some pretty gruesome things, including:

- A marketplace for illegal drugs and weapons
- Blueprints for 3D printing things, mostly illegal things
- WikiLeaks documents
- Abuse videos (children, animals, etc.)
- Child pornography content
- Marketplace for hiring hitmen
- Snuff films and “red rooms” – these are often said to be urban legend
- Recipes on how to eat and cook human meat

Watch this video to learn more about what horrific things can be found on the dark web here!

Please be aware that the dark place is in fact a dangerous place, especially if you are not particularly a tech-savvy person. Do not go snooping on the dark web out of curiosity, well at least not without being properly prepared!

Should you have any questions or queries please contact OSINT on 021 110 0422 or email contact@osint.co.za otherwise learn more about our open-source intelligence & digital forensics services on www.osint.co.za or www.tcgforensics.co.za

What do you know about our OSINT Services?

What is OsInt?

Open Source Intelligence refers to the use of publicly accessible information as well as databases to collect information in a structured manner. Information is gained from Public and Private Databases, the surface web, the deep web and the dark web



Who uses OsInt?

OsInt is used by private and forensic investigators, attorneys, law enforcement, intelligence organisations, fraud investigators, human resources professionals, tracing agents and commercial enterprises. It is a key component of performing due diligence studies on persons and businesses.

What is SmInt?

Social Media Intelligence is the use of information stored within social media platforms to further the knowledge of a person, group or incident. Often this information is available unbeknownst to the user. While the information is not accessible at the click of a button it can be uncovered with queries and structured data calls.



Is OsInt software?

No, OsInt and SmInt are processes. These processes often use software for recording the process or information uncovered but they remain human processes. Analysis of data still vests with a human being and not an algorithm.

How technical is it?

There are different levels of OsInt ability, from a basic researcher to programmers and analysts. A good degree of computer literacy is essential as is an understanding of the internet and investigative methodology.



Can't someone just share their tools with me?

They could, but that would only provide a tool. Much like giving someone who can drive a 250 ton crane driver won't make them a crane operator. OsInt requires a structured investigative approach and an understanding of how the results and pivots meet. This requires hands-on training.

Is this training available online?

We don't provide online training. OsInt as a skill/ ability requires hands-on practice and lab environments in order to develop best practices. Each countries level of data availability differs substantially as do privacy laws between jurisdictions. As such, you need someone experienced to guide you.



Is this training expensive?

Comparatively, no. A level 1 OsInt/SmInt course will cost around R2000-2500 per delegate, per day. This is well priced in the commercial training sector as the skills required for teaching OsInt are scarce and in high demand.

Do you actively practice or only teach?

Our company is an active Digital Forensics practice and as such all trainers are experienced and use their skills daily in the furtherance of their job functions. We train from a perspective of experience coupled with theoretical knowledge.



What can you DO with OsInt?

Our practice is a Digital Forensics lab environment. As such we use OsInt for profiling suspects in civil and criminal matters, tracing people, locating digital evidence, analysing and verifying digital information, providing expert witness testimony in court and of course Due Diligence investigations.

Is group training available?

Yes, we do provide group training on request (minimum 5 people). Costs are dependent on the location, travel expenses, etc.



Is one-on-one training possible?

At this stage we do not provide one-on-one training but are always open to discussion.

Is OsInt legal?

Absolutely, it's key to learn the laws around data privacy and to ensure that you're working within them at all times.



Is this course SAQA Accredited?

At this point no, we are however in the process of accrediting our training material with SAQA and will advise once this is complete. As a 40 hour course curriculum with specific outcomes we do not anticipate too many glitches with achieving this.

Who are your course instructors?

Our course instructors are chosen based on their proven OsInt/SmInt experience as well as their ability to present and impart knowledge. The majority of our instructors have a policing background as well as commercial experience. Some of the instructor crew are chosen for presentation of specific modules in which they hold strong credentials and expertise.

Do you employ OsInt Analysts and Researchers?

Yes, we certainly do. Positions are advertised on this site as well as on our Facebook page as they become available.

Please note that our next OSINT seminar is being held on Tuesday the 9th of July in Midrand.
During this session, you will learn about the available information and tools to use, to assist with your case, or to let you know what is possible. Please note that due to limited available space, bookings are essential! Cost is R650 excl VAT. 

Please feel free to contact us on +27 21 110 0422 | +27 10 110 0904 or email contact@tcgforensics.co.za. Take a look at our website here www.osint.co.za