The dark web conjures up pictures of nefarious characters lurking online in quest of contraband narcotics, private data, and the most recent ransomware programmes. However, it was developed by the American government as a way to exchange sensitive information.
Sites and services that are not indexed by search engines are referred to as being on the “deep Okk web”. For instance, websites with the extension “.onion” may only be viewed anonymously and require prior knowledge of their web address. A subset of deep websites known as the “dark web” require encryption or specialised software in order to access; they cannot be accessed using a standard web browser.
These sites are shared by online criminals, who can also control or stop Google searches from bringing in uninvited visitors.
Online cyber security master’s degree holders are aware of the dark web’s importance as a source of hacking information and tools. Professional penetration testers, security analysts, and software developers can gain the knowledge they need to carry out their duties by studying hacker communities on the deep web.
What is dark web?
Understanding the dark web’s history will help us better comprehend what it is. The dark web was created to aid in the anonymization of government intelligence communications, and it makes use of network routing capabilities that were initially created to safeguard intelligence data online through the employment of specialised tools and software. Dark websites cannot be accessed unless a Tor Browser or an Invisible Internet Protocol (I2P) setup is set up to provide anonymous online activity.
“Tor, which stands for ‘onion router’ or ‘onion routing,’ is designed primarily to keep users anonymous,” the security software provider Radware explains in “Understanding the Darknet and Its Impact on Cyber Security” in Security Boulevard.
Dark Web Services
The dark web also offers the opportunity to purchase confidential information and hacking services rather than malware and virus packages that demand a greater level of competence from the customer. In his article “Cybercrime Black Markets: Dark Web Services and Their Prices” on WeLiveSecurity, security author Matias Porolli offers the following services:
Service-based ransomware — Preconfigured ransomware offered for monthly or yearly purchase.
Selling server access — Credentials for the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) are sold per server via a flexible search service.
leasing computing resources for denial-of-service attacks and botnets that need a lot of processing power
selling credit card and PayPal accounts Account access information is sold to cybercriminals for a small portion of each account’s available balance.
The dark web is not entirely awful, despite the evil things it has enabled. International affairs experts Aditi Kumar and Eric Rosenbach write, “For individuals living under oppressive regimes that block large portions of the internet or punish political dissent, the dark web is a lifeline that provides access to information and protection from persecution in “The Truth about the Dark Web” for the International Monetary Fund.
It can be a vital instrument for communication and whistleblowing in more liberated societies, protecting individuals from reprisals or condemnation in the workplace or community.
How Cyber Security Professionals Navigate the Dark Web
Understanding the black web can aid cyber security workers, particularly those who deal directly with defending critical systems against cyberattacks, in’studying the ways of the enemy’.
The method of searching the more inaccessible areas of the internet for useful information to bolster cyber security is known as “dark web cyber threat intelligence mining.” Tech writer Jasmine Henry notes that dark web-based developing dangers and vulnerabilities can be analysed to defend against threats before they can strike in SecurityIntelligence’s “7 Ways to Identify Darknet Cyber Security Risks.”
The dark web can be used in a variety of ways to gather crucial information about cyber threats. While knowledgeable cyber security experts immerse themselves in the world of hackers and learn from their competitors’ dark web activities, AI algorithms may trawl onion sites for useful data.
Today’s cyber security professionals operate in a field where lifetime learning strategies are important. Cybercriminals work quickly and constantly develop new hacks. However, by using the dark web, cyber security experts can learn about their strategies and how to block them before they can launch an attack.
