Dark Web- Concept, access, positive and negative implications
Definition of Dark Web
In the World Wide Web, one of the components is the Dark Web that refers to the content of the darknets. It is regarded as one of the parts of Deep Web. However, the nature of the content remains unencrypted.
Ways of accessing Dark Web
Dark Web cannot be accessed by every user. Special software and configurations are required to gain access to Dark Web (Spalevic & Ilic, 2017). Using regular search engines, it cannot be accessed. The website operators, as well as the users, remain untraceable. Hence, normal activities on the browser do not give access to the content.
Usage by criminals
Criminals use the Dark Web to scam reputed organizations and individuals. The cybercriminals can remain anonymous and targets the email addresses of the organizations and individuals. The purpose is to get involved in phishing activities and hack accounts of those email users (Berton, 2015). After tracking down the email address, cybercriminals can get personal and sensitive financial data about their target. They can steal passwords and exploit the user Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Ways of using Dark Web in a positive way
One of the positive sides of using the Dark Web is the user can have access to onion sites using the Tor browser. Other normal browser does not support onion sites. Common people can also use the Dark Web for gaining knowledge without restrictions which is not possible while browsing normally on the internet. Books and all forms of educational resources are available on the Dark Web. The anonymity feature of the Dark Web is an advantage for residents of the totalitarian nations. They can find news on sites that has been banned in their own country.
Usage by intelligence services and law enforcement agencies
The intelligent officers of law agencies work on behalf of the government bodies, and their sole purpose is to reduce the crime rate on the Dark Web. Therefore, they depend on complex network and monitor the content of the Dark Web (Ghappour, 2017). Notably, the FBI is benefitted as they get information regarding suspicious domains or any illegal services.
Utility for private individuals
The content of the Dark Web is used by individuals to remain anonymous and protect their identities. Often the government restricts the citizens to have access to certain networks to ensure privacy. The individuals can break the censored networks. They can also hide their real location while assessing the news of another country.
References
Berton, B. (2015). The dark side of the web: ISIL’s one-stop shop?. Report of the European Union Institute for Security Studies.
Ghappour, A. (2017). Searching places unknown: Law enforcement jurisdiction on the dark web. Stan. L. Rev., 69, 1075.
Spalevic, Z., & Ilic, M. (2017). The use of dark web for the purpose of illegal activity spreading. Ekonomika, Journal for Economic Theory and Practice and Social Issues, 63(1350-2019-2771), 73-82.