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What is Darknet or Dark web?
Context:
As per the recent reports, the National Testing Agency (NTA) that conducts important exams like NEET, JEE and CUET, faces a fresh challenge from the ‘darknet’, posing concerns about the secure conduct of exams.
Darknet: An Overview
- The dark web (darknet) is an encrypted part of the internet not accessible through traditional search engines like Google. It is largely associated with illegal activities.
- It is a small part of the Deep Web designed to maximise user anonymity by hiding information about their location, IP address, and activity.
- Deep web includes unindexed websites requiring specific permissions, like databases with sensitive information and intranet systems.
- Darknet, deeper within the deep web, hosts sites evading public visibility and regulatory oversight.
- Originally designed for secure and anonymous governmental and military communications.
- Unfortunately, the darknet has become synonymous with illegal activities such as the sale of weapons and narcotics.
Infrastructure and Anonymity:
- Darknet relies on specialised software like Tor (onion router), originally developed by the US military for secure communication.
- It anonymizes the users and websites routing traffic through layers of encryption concealing identities and location..
- Users and Applications: Legitimate uses include circumventing internet restrictions in restrictive regions, exemplified by entities like Facebook using .onion domains.
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- Tor supports websites using onion domains to make it difficult to trace site origins or operational countries.
Challenges and solution of the Dark Web:
- The dark web is a hub for criminal and illegal activities, making it extremely dangerous for individuals and enterprises to access.
- Dangers of browsing the dark web includes Cyber Attacks via viruses, ransomware, malware like keyloggers, remote access Trojans, or distributed denial-of-service attacks. Other are:
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- Phishing, identity theft, credential theft, compromise of personal, customer, financial, or operational data, leaks of intellectual property or trade secrets, spying or cyberespionage, and webcam hijacking.
- These threats can disrupt business operations, defraud companies, and damage a brand’s integrity.
- Despite encryption layers, darknet activities may not be entirely untraceable, ISPs can detect Tor connections, potentially drawing unwanted attention from authorities.
- Regular monitoring can provide early alerts to mitigate potential threats.
Surface Web vs. Darknet:
- Surface web consists of easily searchable websites accessible via standard browsers like Google or Safari, while darknet is a concealed part of the internet not indexed by conventional search engines.