Dark Web and its importance in cybersecurity

When we want to perform a search on the internet, most of the time we do it through well-known web browsers like Google, Microsoft Edge, or through the latest Artificial Intelligences. These search engines belong to what is known as the Clear Net. The Clear Net is the part of the internet accessible to everyone and is regulated according to the laws and conditions of governments.

However, there are other search engines that are not governed by the legal terms and conditions of governments, such as the Deep Web or, as we will discuss in this post, the Dark Web.

What is the Dark Web?

The Dark Web is the deepest part of the Deep Web and can only be accessed through special web browsers. The Deep Web contains 90% of the content on the internet, while the Dark Web only accounts for 0.1% of it.

The term "Dark Web" is often confused with the Deep Web, and although they may seem similar, they have distinct differences. As explained in the article "Deep Web in Cybersecurity. Differences with the Dark Web," the main difference is that the Dark Web is associated with illegal activities.

Dark Web in cybersecurity

In terms of cybersecurity on the Dark Web, we can see that it is a channel for the distribution and sale of malware, ransomware, and other forms of launching cyberattacks, which can be used to carry out large-scale attacks. Stolen data or compromised credentials from cyberattacks carried out by other cybercriminals can also be purchased.

For those who do not have the specific knowledge required to launch a cyberattack, versions of Chat GPT without content limitations can be found on the Dark Web to help step-by-step guide a cyberattack without the necessary technical expertise.

One of these malicious versions of Chat GPT, "Worm GPT," can help create software for password theft, programs for spying on a specific mobile phone, or create malware to attack a specific company.

Although it may seem that the Dark Web only has negative implications for the cybersecurity of companies, it also has its advantages. The Dark Web can be used to monitor trends in cyberattacks and prevent potential new methods of cyberattacking businesses and public organizations.

Real cases of the fight against crime on the Dark Web

As we explained earlier, apart from being a space with no content restrictions, it can also be a space where illegal activities take place, which are pursued by authorities.

Silk Road

Silk Road was one of the most notorious black markets on the Dark Web, primarily known for the sale of illegal drugs, weapons, and other illicit goods. In 2013, after an FBI operation, they were able to arrest its creator, "Dread Pirate Roberts," using advanced tracking techniques on Ulbricht's anonymity setup, and the authorities shut down the site.

AlphaBay, the supermarket of the Dark Web

In mid-2017, AlphaBay suffered a server shutdown that halted all activity on the site. This shutdown was due to a police operation aimed at stopping the illegal activities on the site, where illegal products were being traded. AlphaBay was the successor to Silk Road, and it too allowed the purchase of all kinds of illicit goods.

The closure operation of AlphaBay was one of the largest to date, significantly impacting illegal trade on the Dark Web and demonstrating the effectiveness of international cooperation.

Closure of DarkMarket, the world's largest illegal marketplace

Before its closure in 2021, DarkMarket was considered one of the largest markets on the Dark Web, following the example of Silk Road and AlphaBay, and was also a kind of black market.

In January 2021, an international operation led by German authorities, along with Europol and law enforcement agencies from several countries, managed to dismantle DarkMarket. The site’s operator was arrested near the border between Germany and Denmark.

The Dark Web, like the Deep Web, may seem like a dangerous place where only illegal activities can take place, but it can also be used as a space where, in countries with heavy censorship, information is shared that is otherwise unavailable. In terms of cybersecurity, it can serve as a tool for monitoring new threats to prevent potential attacks.