DARK WEB DYNAMIC: UNDERSTANDING ITS ROLE IN MODERN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES
- The Legal Gazette
- Sep 18, 2024
- 4 min read
Written By Bhavesh Kumar
Reviewed By Admin | The Legal Gazette
Published By Khushi Verma
ABSTRACT
The dark web, a hidden portion of the internet access only through specific search engine such as TOR, I2P, freenet. This article uncovers the hidden aspect of the dark web, focusing on its implications for crime, security and law enforcement in the digital age. Dark web gained notoriety for its role in facilitating criminal activities, leveraging anonymity and encrypted illicit transaction and service
THE STRUCTURE OF THE DARK WEB
It Is Subset Of Deep Web, Which Include All Parts Of The Internet Not Indexed By Conventional Search engines. While deep web contains essential data such as medical records, legal document and academic resources, the dark web is hidden and requires special tools to access.
TOOLS
Freenet: Freenet is a peer-to-peer platform that emphasises freedom of speech and resistance to censorship. Its decentralised nature makes it difficult to shut down, often serving both legal and illegal purposes.
I2P (Invisible Internet Project): I2P provides secure communication channels and the creation of hidden services. It uses a decentralised network to enhance privacy and resistance to censorship.
TOR (The Onion Router): Tor anonymises users by routing their communications through a network of volunteer-operated servers, each adding a layer of encryption. This makes it nearly impossible to trace the origin of the data.
CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES ON THE DARK WEB
Dark web ease the various criminal operation, incognito leveraging and unidentified traceability.
DRUG TRAFFICKING
The main characteristic and comparative advantage of darknet markets is their perceived anonymity, in particular the physical anonymity of those who do business on such markets. Purchasing drugs on those markets does not necessarily require physical contact, which reduces the inhibitions of some customers who might otherwise be reticent to interact personally with drug dealers. In addition, the customer does not have to go to dangerous places to buy drugs. Darknet trafficking also overcomes the challenge of sellers and buyers having to be in the same location; thus, organizations that traffic drugs over the dark web do not need to have the critical mass of customers necessary to sustain a local market.
WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES
The dark web is an enabler for the circulation of illegal weapons already on the black market, as well as a potential source of diversion for legally owned weapons. Although the arms trade is small in volume compared to other products trafficked online, its potential impact on international security is significant. The proliferation and illicit international movement of firearms and explosives worldwide involves a complex mix of interrelated issues. Despite efforts to regulate firearms, there are multiple avenues for entrepreneurial criminals to bypass controls and traffic weapons across international borders. This issue has emerged as particularly relevant for EU security, despite the stringent firearms control measures. One possible avenue is via the ‘dark web’, which hosts many different online black markets that facilitate the sale of firearms, weapons, explosives and banned digital materials.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The dark web has been used for human trafficking. Websites offering illegal services, including forced labour and sex trafficking, exploit the anonymity of the dark web to avoid detection by law enforcement. This facet of the dark web highlights its darkest implications, where vulnerable individuals are commodified and abused
CYBERCRIME SERVICES
Dark web also hosts a variety of cybercrime services, such as:
HACKING-FOR-HIRE: Individuals or groups offer their expertise to hack into systems, steal data, or disrupt services. These services can target corporations, governments, or individuals, often for a fee paid in cryptocurrency to ensure anonymity.
DDOS ATTACKS: Services offering Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can be hired to overwhelm and take down websites. These attacks can damage businesses and services, often used for extortion or competitive sabotage.
MALWARE AND RANSOMWARE: Cybercriminals distribute malware (virus), including ransomware, which encrypts victims’ data until a ransom is paid. The dark web serves as a marketplace for these malicious software tools and the forums where criminals share tactics and strategies.
IMPLICATIONS FOR SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
The dark web’s role in facilitating criminal activities presents significant challenges for security and law enforcement agencies.
ANONYMITY AND ENCRYPTION
The use of advanced encryption and anonymity tools makes tracking and identifying criminals difficult. Law enforcement must invest in sophisticated technologies and methods to penetrate these networks and apprehend offenders. Traditional investigative techniques are often inadequate, requiring new approaches such as cyber forensics, undercover operations, and international cooperation.
JURISDICTIONAL CHALLENGES
Crimes committed on the dark web often involve perpetrators and victims across multiple jurisdictions, complicating the legal process. International cooperation and harmonized legal frameworks are essential to effectively combat dark web-related crimes. Agencies like INTERPOL and Europol play crucial roles in coordinating efforts across borders, but the differences in national laws and enforcement capabilities can hinder these operations.
RESOURCE ALLOCATION
Fighting dark web crime requires substantial resources, both technological and human. Law enforcement agencies need specialized training and tools to monitor, investigate, and take down illegal operations on the dark web. This includes developing cyber capabilities, hiring experts in digital forensics, and maintaining continuous surveillance of dark web activities.
ETHICAL AND PRIVACY CONCERNS
Efforts to combat dark web crimes must balance the need for security with respect for privacy and civil liberties. Overreach in surveillance and enforcement could lead to infringements on individual rights and freedoms. Ensuring transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations is vital to maintaining public trust and adherence to democratic principles.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND CHALLENGES
The dynamic nature of the dark web ensures that as law enforcement develops new strategies to combat crime, criminals will continue to adapt and evolve their methods. Future efforts will likely focus on:
Enhanced International Collaboration: Strengthening cooperation between nations to address the global nature of dark web crimes.
Advanced Technology: Investing in AI and machine learning to improve the detection and analysis of dark web activities.
Public Awareness: Educating the public about the dangers of the dark web and promoting cybersecurity practices to protect individuals and organisations.
ONLINE SOURCE
( World Customs Organisation, Illicit Trade Report 2015 (Brussels, December 2016), p. 44)
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR2000/RR2091/RAND_RR2091.pdf
"Deep Dot Web - Hansa". Archived from the original on 2024-07-05.
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