The Dark Web... anyone up on this?

[hoosierdoc]

I read a book that involved the dark web, and saw it in a news article about drugs. I hadn't really ever heard of it until recently. Is the concept that it's "security through obscurity" and you just can't search to find the sites, but you need to know the IP addresses, or is it more complex than that?

 

[TB1999]

The first rule of the dark Web is you don't talk about the dark web

 

[KLB]

I'm sure it is much more complex than that. It wouldn't be of much use of any .gov could monitor it just by knowing the IP addresses of the sites.

 

[ccomstock001]

From what all I know is you install a tor browser and go type in the address just like any other website. Certain websites can only be accessed through the special browser

 

[Expat]

do you have to use leetspeak there?

 

[BogWalker]

From what all I know is you install a tor browser and go type in the address just like any other website. Certain websites can only be accessed through the special browser

I think ccomstock has it right.

Mostly a bunch of crap and message boards with the occasional terrorist recruitment site and lots of drug traffickers.

 

[SnoopLoggyDog]

 

[TB1999]

Where does INGO fit in?

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Where does INGO fit in?

The forum? In the Surface Web. LT6 and Mods? Definitely Dark Web.

 

[littletommy]

I bet there's a level even deeper, where evil geniuses plot their deeds, the "magma" level.

 

[Rookie]

I read a book that involved the dark web,

Mother's Rest?

 

[pudly]

More than 90% of the web is not visible via search engines. Just think of any site that is restricted by some form of login or other access control. If you VPN into your work network from home or subscribe to a paid-only site like most of the Wall Street Journal, that would fall under deep web.

The forum? In the Surface Web. LT6 and Mods? Definitely Dark Web.

Just to Denny it up, LT6 and Mods sections would be considered deep web as they are simply protected by logins. Most of INGO can be searched, but you won't find LT6/Mod discussions on Google or other search engines.

I've dipped my toe into TOR and the dark web, but since I'm not interested in that material, didn't stick around.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Mother's Rest?

how did you KNOW?!

 

[Rookie]

I'm tracking you through the dark web.

I thought it was a pretty good read.

 

[bulletsmith]

More than 90% of the web is not visible via search engines. Just think of any site that is restricted by some form of login or other access control. If you VPN into your work network from home or subscribe to a paid-only site like most of the Wall Street Journal, that would fall under deep web.



Just to Denny it up, LT6 and Mods sections would be considered deep web as they are simply protected by logins. Most of INGO can be searched, but you won't find LT6/Mod discussions on Google or other search engines.

I've dipped my toe into TOR and the dark web, but since I'm not interested in that material, didn't stick around.

Good explanation, but oh so much more....

Add to the concept that it's a "parallel network" of sorts that lives on the public network but is not detectable by normal users. It can be a very dangerous place, exposing your computer to threats your AV may not be able to defend against, depending on where you go. It can also be a safe place due to the fact that it's thought to be more private and secure from monitoring. All made possible by the use of Onion browsers and servers.

Tor encryption and onion "protect" you by bouncing your requests around the globe to help confuse those who might want to monitor you. It's the home of true hackers, not just kids who dabble.

It all sounds so sci-fi, but it's real. One example of it's less-than-legal use is the Crypto locker attack. Basically, you become infected by code that begins to encrypt all data on your drive, and any network resources. Once encrypted you receive a notice on your screen telling you exactly what they have done. A link is provided for you to download a Tor browser and a site to visit. Once there you receive instructions on how to purchase bitcoin and pay the ransom. The browser and site are all on the dark net and seemingly unstoppable. This has been going on for years, the FBI claims that millions are paid yearly to regain access to data.

Here's a site that offers an entry. Interesting reading though I in no way suggest venturing in: https://www.torproject.org/index.html.en

 

[chezuki]

I read a book

You did what to a what now?

 

[yeti rider]

I read a book that involved the dark web, and saw it in a news article about drugs. I hadn't really ever heard of it until recently. Is the concept that it's "security through obscurity" and you just can't search to find the sites, but you need to know the IP addresses, or is it more complex than that?

I buy all my prescriptions there. Delivered right to my door.

 

[david890]

I read a book that involved the dark web, and saw it in a news article about drugs. I hadn't really ever heard of it until recently. Is the concept that it's "security through obscurity" and you just can't search to find the sites, but you need to know the IP addresses, or is it more complex than that?

That's the first layer of security; these sites don't let bots index their contents. So, if you don't know the IP address or URL, you're pretty much out of luck. The second layer is often a referral; you have to know a trusted member to get in. Another is uploading content (or making a confirmed sale of your product) before you're given wider access. That poses a problem for law-enforcement agencies - uploading child porn or shipping drugs cross-country - might be frowned upon by a court.

A recent case involves "Playpen", a large child porn site. The FBI located the server, got a warrant, then sat back and watched for awhile. They used IP info to track down users and arrest them. However, many, if not most, of the cases will be thrown out as a judge had ruled the warrant did not apply beyond the jurisdiction of the court that issued it. Any info gathered outside that jurisdiction is now essentially inadmissible.

 

[TheBoss930]

Im afraid of even researching this Dark web for the fear of being labeled "Bad" or a "Threat"

 

[pudly]

You are a gun owner. You are already on some lists that say you are "Bad" and "A Threat".