Darknet
About Darknet
What is the Darknet? The Darknet is an underground network that operates within the broader Internet and can only be accessed using specialized software, configurations, or authorization. It often employs unique communication protocols and is commonly referred to as a darknet. There are two main types of darknets:
- Social Networks: These are typically used for peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing.
- Anonymity Proxy Networks like Tor: These create anonymized connections.
Websites on the darknet are hidden from search engines like Google and cannot be accessed through regular web browsers.
Origins of the Darknet The concept of a darknet, known as “Tor” or “Tor routing,” was initially developed in the mid-1990s by a group of scientists at the US Naval Research Laboratory. This group included mathematician Paul Syverson, who is now a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, along with computer scientists Michael G. Reed and Michael G. Goldschlag.
Darknet Technologies Some technologies associated with the darknet include:
- Tor Browser: A web browser that enables anonymous browsing.
- I2P: A network layer that allows for anonymous communication.
- Private VPNs: Virtual Private Networks that provide enhanced privacy.
- Zeronet: A decentralized network for creating websites.
- Netsukuku: A peer-to-peer networking protocol.
- Freenet: A platform for secure and censorship-resistant communication.
- GNUnet: An infrastructure for secure and decentralized networking.
Source: https://store.steampowered.com/app/401910/Darknet/<
How Consumers Directed to Darknet
The Darknet is a virtual space in which both website publishers and web surfers are completely anonymous.
This anonymity is typically achieved through the use of the anonymizing network known as the Onion Router. The Darknet is composed of several marketplaces, such as Abraxas, Agora Marketplace, Middle Earth Marketplace, Nucleus, Silk Road I, II, and III, which are renowned for their ability to facilitate transactions involving illicit goods and services.
These marketplaces are often associated with illicit or illegitimate activities, which are conducted in a virtual environment where users conceal their identity and IP addresses in order to avoid detection by law enforcement authorities.
DarkWeb
The Dark Web is an off-the-grid part of the internet that’s not indexed by mainstream search engines. It’s a place of anonymity, but it’s also a place of illegal activity. Users use anonymizing tools like Tor to access the Dark Web, but they should be aware of the risks and legal issues that come with it.
Source: https://medium.com/@smartrac/the-deep-web-the-dark-web-and-simple-things-2e601ec980ac
History of Darknet
Source: https://www.avast.com/c-dark-web
History of Darknet, ARPANET, "data paradises"
The concept of “anonymous online communication”, which is at the heart of the darknet, has its roots in the mid-20th century.
In the 1960’s, the first experimental computer network was created. It was the forerunner of what would later become the Internet and the dark web.
Although the network was privately owned by the government for many years, researchers working mainly in US universities were still able to experiment freely.
For example, in the early 1970’s, it is possible that an illegal online transaction was made using the first ARPanet network.
History of Darknet, Napster, Freenet, I2P
The 1990s saw the opening up of the Internet to the general public and the rise of illegal music streaming. This decade is also known as the Internet Boom and the Dot-Com bubble.
CDs were a popular way to listen to music in the 90s, and with the advent of the MP3 compression format, people began to illegally rip CDs.
Illegally ripping music quickly made its way into the forums and later onto Napster, a music sharing website.
In the year 2000, the free software Freenet, which allows users to share files anonymously, as well as view and publish “free sites,” was released.
While Freenet did not gain as much attention as Tor did, it helped spread the idea of anonymous internet browsing. It’s unclear whether the Freenet developers were inspired by the Tor developers, but these two programs (along with I2P) laid the groundwork for the widespread use of anonymous Internet browsing.
History of Darknet, Tor, Cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin
The 1990s saw the opening up of the Internet to the general public and the rise of illegal music streaming. This decade is also known as the Internet Boom and the Dot-Com bubble.
CDs were a popular way to listen to music in the 90s, and with MP3 compression formats being released, it became easy to start ripping CDs.
Illegally ripping music soon made its way to forums and eventually to Napster music sharing sites.
Freenet was released in 2000 as a free software that allowed users to share files anonymously, view and publish “free sites”.
While Freenet didn’t get nearly as much attention as Tor, it helped spread the idea of anonymous internet access.
It’s unclear whether Freenet was inspired by Tor, but these two programs (along with I2P) paved the way for the widespread use of anonymous Internet browsing.
History of Darknet, Tor, Cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin
In 2002, the private network known as Tor was finally made available to the public.
Tor revolutionized the way people used the Internet. It created an environment where anyone could browse the Internet without fear of being tracked or spied on.
The people who created Tor had a lot of good intentions, but they had no idea how much of a difference their invention would make to criminal activity.
Cryptocurrency was created in the early days of the dark web, when it was hard to make illegal transactions because neither party wanted to use credit cards or paypal.
History of Darknet, Tor, Cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin
Cryptocurrency, a digital currency that allows for anonymous transactions, has been a long-standing solution to this persistent issue. Despite the development of various forms of cryptocurrency since the 1990’s, none of them was as successful as Bitcoin. In 2009, the first Bitcoin “mined” was released, ushering in a new era of illegal online transactions.
History of Darknet, The Arab Spring, Silk Road
Despite the rise in illegal transactions on the Darknet in 2010, the Tor Browser was released in the late of that year in response to the Arab Spring and served a charitable purpose. Not only did it protect users’ online identities, but it also enabled them to access essential resources, such as social media, as well as blocked websites.
In 2013, Edward Snowden’s disclosure of PRISM, which enabled the NSA to eavesdrop on communications between Americans and non-citizens of other countries through VoIP telephone networks and the Internet, has become a major factor in the rise of mass surveillance tools. The Tor Browser was a key element in Snowden’s transmission of information, as it kept his design secure, demonstrating the effectiveness of iron as Tor security.
The Snowden case highlighted the potential of Tor to be used in a benevolent manner, allowing for the reporting of unusual occurrences that may not otherwise have been possible on the public internet.
Source: https://www.civilsdaily.com/burning-issue-rise-of-darknet-darkweb/
The Darknet Story, The Edward Snowden Case
Mass surveillance tools have become increasingly popular in recent years, partly due to Edward Snowden’s 2013 leaks. Snowden revealed the NSA’s PRISM program which allows them to eavesdrop on communications between Americans and non-citizens over the phone and the Internet through the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.
Snowden said that PRISM allows the NSA to look at emails, access chat rooms and video chat rooms, and get information from social networks.
Tor played an important role in Snowden’s transmission of information as it kept his design secure, showing how iron is iron. The Snowden case also showed how Tor could be used in a good way, allowing for benign reporting of anomalies which may not have occurred on the public internet.
One of the most popular dark web sites at one time was Playpen, a site used to distribute child pornography. It was shut down by the FBI in 2015, but the popularity of the site shows the extent to which illegal content, regardless of how depraved it is, can still find its way onto the dark web
Source: https://www.erdalozkaya.com/recent-evolution-of-the-dark-web-from/
Revenues earned by Darknet
After a slight dip in 2018, Darknet market sales increased 70% year-over-year in 2019, reaching over $790 million in crypto, the first time it has ever exceeded $600 million in total sales.
Darknet Markets also increased their market share in total inbound crypto transactions, doubling year-on-year from 0.4% to 0.8% in 2019, the first increase since 2015.
Source: https://blog.chainalysis.com/reports/darknet-markets-cryptocurrency-2019//
An ideal ecosystem for illegal activitie
Source: https://www.illicit-trade.com
Money laundering
Weapon sales
Drug mafia
Terrorist Activity
Sex trafficking
Hit for hire
Conitemporary challenges in Cyberspace
“Security is an illusion. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
Source:https://www.newsweek.com/breaking-bad-inspired-students-jailed-selling-1-million-worth-drugs-dark-web-857013
Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Fake-and-real-passports-on-the-Dark-Web-cryptomarket_fig2_354547418
Source: https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/article/1041509/darpa-program-helps-to-fight-human-trafficking
Few words about Tor
Few words about Tor
Traditional websites are typically hosted on.com,.pl, or.org domains. Darknet, on the other hand, is based on.onion domains. This is due to the onion, or more specifically, the virtual computer network, which utilizes onion routing to ensure anonymity. The concept of onion routing is derived from the analogy of layers of vegetables.
In a nutshell, onion routing is the process of sending encrypted data packets through a variety of routers (known as onion routers). Each router decrypts a small portion of the packet, which is then used to determine where to send the packet the next time. Finally, the fully encrypted packet is sent to the recipient. This is what makes the TOR network completely anonymous.
Tor network
The term “The Onion Router” (or “TOR”) is used interchangeably with terms like “the black internet” or “the dark internet.” The term “Tor” doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s used by criminals. The term “tor” comes from the phrase “the onion”, which refers to the network that implements onion routing. Messages are sent in “layers,” hence the “onion” in “routing”. The “layers” are the layers that provide anonymity to users. Messages are sent through a network of nodes called “onion routers.”
“Onion routing” is a complicated process where data moves through layers of encryption, which are decoded by as many “proxies” as there are “layers.” The servers are located everywhere in the world, making it nearly impossible to locate them.
Some people are even worried about downloading the “tor browser” onto their computer because it may indicate their interest in crime.
Nevertheless, more and more people are becoming interested in online anonymity issues, and TOR seems to be the right tool to keep it. A very important piece of information is that the use of the TOR network is completely legal – so you can safely download this browser to your computer. At the same time, however, it should not be used at work without the consent of the employer.
How does the TOR network work?
Source: https://blog.insiderattack.net/deep-dive-into-tor-the-onion-router-6de4c25beba7
Source: http://www.akwaswiat.net/showthread.php?tid=40886
Each router is aware of the origin of the message and its destination, but has no knowledge of the content, sender, or recipient. The level of encryption is such that it is virtually impossible to track the path of a single packet step-by-step. This principle is at the core of Darknet, where the content of web pages is completely undetectable to any bot. As a result, these pages remain in a state of deep concealment, out of the sight and reach of law enforcement.
Furthermore, due to the use of highly complex anonymization protocols, they cannot be displayed by mainstream browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox. The disadvantage of the anonymization process is that it significantly slows down the processing of web pages, making it unsuitable for everyday Internet browsing. It is important to note that not everyone is aware that the TOR network does not guarantee 100% anonymity, and law enforcement agencies have been known to track TOR users.
Onion Network
Source: https://www.quora.com/What-are-Tor-entry-and-exit-nodes
How to access darknet?
The first step is to install the program that will enable you to do so. This, of course, is the TOR browser. We assure you that it is 100% secure for your computer. The TOR browser is simply a modified version of Firefox. You should have no difficulty navigating it. Additionally, you can use it to access any “normal” websites with no limitations.
Source:http://ourgenes.org.uk/Surname%20Page.htm
But how do you get into the Darknet if you already have a TOR browser?
To do this, you need to know the exact address of the site you want to visit. We won’t help you look for anything illegal here, but if you want to test that everything works, we’ve prepared a few fully safe and legal sites for you to visit on the Darknet.
Popular sites to visit
http://3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion/ – at this address, you will find simply the well-known and popular search engine DuckDuckGo!
http://darkzzx4avcsuofgfez5zq75cqc4mprjvfqywo45dfcaxrwqg6qrlfid.onion/ – Here you will find all the latest news from the world of Darknet
http://mail2tor2zyjdctd.onion/ – and that’s a fully anonymous and secure e-mail
What can you find in darknet?
Now that you know how to browse the dark side of the Internet, you’re probably wondering what you might come across. The completely honest and unadulterated answer here would be “everything”. Seriously, if anything exists in the world, it also exists in the Darknet. Unfortunately, they are largely things that nobody in their right mind would want to see.
What can you find in darknet?
Now that you have a basic understanding of how to explore the dark web, you may be curious as to what you may encounter. The honest and open answer to this question is “everything”. In fact, if there is something in the universe, it exists on the Darknet as well. Unfortunately, most of the content on the Darknet is content that no one would ever want to see.
Source:https://en.rattibha.com/thread/1526840043440062466
Polish Tor forum
If you’re interested in participating in discussions related to the Tor network and related topics, you might want to explore Polish Tor forums. These forums provide a platform for users to exchange information, share experiences, and seek advice regarding Tor usage and online anonymity.
Source:https://cebulka.in/
Tor Minecraft server
If you’re a Tor enthusiast and a Minecraft aficionado, you’ve probably heard of Tor Minecraft servers. These special servers offer a unique opportunity to combine Tor’s anonymity and privacy capabilities with Minecraft’s playful and adventurous culture.
To get started, you’ll need to know a bit about setting up and running your own Tor Minecraft server, as it requires configuring both your own Tor network and your own Minecraft server. However, if you’re someone who loves both privacy and online gaming, you’re in for a treat.
Source:http://theendgtso35ir6ngdtyhgtjhhbbprmkz174gt5nyeu3ocr34sfa67yd.onion/html/minecraft/client/
Origin of funds sent to darknet
Anonymity is a key factor when it comes to where funds are sent on the darknet. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are often used in transactions on the darknet, providing anonymity. However, it can be difficult to trace the exact source of funds due to the decentralised nature of cryptocurrencies.
Source:https://blog.chainalysis.com/reports/darknet-markets-cryptocurrency-2019/
Destination of funds leaving darknet markets, 2019
Knowing where darknet funds went in 2019 gives insight into the financial structure of these illegal online platforms. In 2019, darknet market transactions often involved cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin in order to maintain a level of privacy and anonymity.
The money leaving darknet markets could have gone to a variety of places. Some users could have been making legitimate purchases or providing services, while others could have been engaging in illegal activities. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies makes it difficult to trace the exact locations of funds, making the situation more complex.
Source:https://blog.chainalysis.com/reports/darknet-markets-cryptocurrency-2019/
Total Bitcoin Volume in the Darknet Market
The total volume of Bitcoin in the darknet market refers to the total amount of Bitcoin that is exchanged within these underground online markets. Bitcoin is one of the most popular cryptocurrencies in these markets because of its perceived privacy.
The exact total volume of Bitcoin that is traded within the darknet market can vary from time to time and on different platforms. The darknet markets offer a variety of legal and illegal goods and services.
Source:https://blog.chainalysis.com/reports/darknet-markets-cryptocurrency-2019/
Avoiding censorship
On the darknet, you’ll also find anything that wouldn’t be allowed by censors in the countries from which it’s being published. This includes reliable news that’s not influenced by disinformation, websites such as WikiLeaks, which publishes government documents, as well as countless forums and blogs that have decided to take this form for whatever reason. The darknet isn’t just a cesspool of evil, though.
What is the darknet?
The darknet can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
Protecting people’s privacy from targeted and large-scale surveillance
Criminal activity (cracking and file corruption, for example)
Protection of dissidents from political retaliation
File sharing on the darknet (ware, personal, confidential, illegal, or otherwise)
Selling restricted goods or services on the darknet market
Information leaks (whistleblowers and news leaks)
Purchasing or selling illegal or illegal products or services
Obscure network censorship and filtering systems
Obscure restrictive firewall policies
Source:https://www.freedomtoread.ca/resources/when-the-censor-comes/
The future of the Darknet
The TOR network is only just beginning to take shape in the minds of people who are accustomed to using the old-school Internet. The negative perceptions of the black Internet as a place for criminal activity effectively stops the growth of the popularity of the TOR network, but the growing number of positive actions makes us change our perception of the darknet. More and more people are saying that the anonymity of the users of the most popular websites is almost nonexistent, and that the tracking of users by the internet giants is becoming a daily occurrence. So let’s ask ourselves, is the TOR network really a place that only serves criminals? Or is this where the internet will start to go, as anonymity becomes what users will look for – even if it’s just an escape from a massive amount of advertising?