INTRO
Did you know that you can only 'see' a part of the internet? Did you know there is a hidden 'layer' where some of the most unethical things take place? No? If you thought the internet was big enough already. Then prepare for the subject you'll be reading about today.
LAYERS
The 'Dark Web' is inaccessible for conventional search machines, like 'Google'. To give a better idea just how the 'Dark Web' looks like, observe the following image:
To clarify the image. The internet exists out of several layers of accessibility:
The Surface Web: Websites that are indexed by search machines
(forums, web shops, digital newspapers, Youtube, and so on ...)The Deep Web: Websites that are not indexed by choice/protocol
(medical files, financial information, military information, and so on ...)The Dark Web: Websites that cannot be indexed at all.
(arms trade, drug trafficking, stolen goods, counterfeit money, and so on ...)
CLARITY
Before we continue, I'd like to clarify that it's not my intention to motivate you to go ahead and explore the 'Dark Web'. This blog is purely informative and can be used to take preventive measures in regards to your own security on the internet.
It's quite important to realize that whenever you do try to explore the 'Dark Web'. That you're exposing yourself to hackers and viruses. But also government authorities, like the American 'FBI', who are actively searching for people conducting illegal activities on the 'Dark Web'. So again, if you do choose to go out and explore just know this:
FACTS, HISTORY & ACCESSIBILITY
To access the 'Dark Web', one can do so through an open network (TOR-network). Said network is based on a technology that was designed by the 'United States Naval Research Laboratory' in 1995. It's purpose was to prevent "others" to analyze a message it's sender's and receiver's information.
The network is still being used for military appliances to this day. However it's a fact more and more common people are starting to use it for various purposes. Such as journalism in countries where freedom of expression is suppressed. It's also being used by those who value their identity and wish to keep it anonymous due to life threatening circumstances.
However it's evident that those with bad intentions also have access to this network. In which they; sell guns, trade drugs, engage human trafficking, upload an abundance of child-pornography and hire assassins for a cheap price.
The disturbing amount of data and information available on the 'Dark Web', compared to the 'Surface Web' and 'Deep Web', is mind blowing. What's even more disturbing is that the data and information is growing exponentially faster on the 'Dark Web' than it is on the other 2 surfaces.
Authorities are trying to handle the problem. But investigating and dissecting encrypted data isn’t like your average walk in the park. Whenever the authorities do succeed, stories like this can see daylight.
However the chances of success are becoming more slimmer by the day. In 2017 the 'TOR-network' had announced they will commence an upgrade. The upgrade assures full anonymity and restricts access to websites via invitations. The invitation itself is a strong cryptographic key which could possibly render some key 'Dark Web' websites completely untraceable.
Is the internet out of control? Or is it just people who are out of control? Or both?
I'll let you be the judge of that ...