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What is Dark Web?
The Dark Web is a reality that has existed since the beginning of the internet. While there is a load of information indexed on the web, easily accessible by anyone with internet connectivity irrespective of geography, there is even more information and data that do not come to notice because it is hidden and requires special privileges to access. This unchartered portion of the web is called Dark Web.
How is Dark Web different from Web
Information on the dark web is not defined by regulations and content policies. Moreover, web pages serving information on the dark web do not appear on search engines result pages (SERP) like those from Google and Bing because they are hidden and not indexed. Therefore, the dark web includes information that is not easily accessible by everyone. Besides, the web pages serving information on the dark web are marked unsafe by browsers and do not open on Chrome, Firefox, Opera, etc.
What is there on Dark Web
Dark Web is home to all sorts of information but it has gained bad reputation because of prevalence of widespread illegal content such as illicit pornography, sale of black market drugs, sale of illegal firearms, illegally acquired users’ database, etc. The availability of such content of illegal nature makes the dark web a suitable place for criminals. However, it is not just for criminals; journalists can use it to gather information from sources without risking their identity, whistleblowers can use it to expose corporate and government corruption, etc.
Is Dark Web illegal
While accessing the Dark Web is not illegal, its use to acquire illegal content and procure prohibited items is. For example, surfing the dark web is legal but procuring pirated copies of movies and games is illegal. Similarly, accessing information is not illegal unless the information is classified and crucial to the nation's security. Using Dark Web to access illicit content like child pornography, and procure prohibited items like drugs and guns is also illegal.
How to safely access Dark Web
To access dark web, one needs a specialised software with peer-to-peer networking support built-in besides other browser features. Currently, there are two software that support these – Tor and I2P. These are web browsers with added tools to encrypt web traffic for safety and security. It is possible to access the dark web anonymously through these software. Moreover, virtual private network (VPN) service adds another layer of security here. However, these software offer no fool-proof protection and one must be careful accessing dark web. As best practice, it is evoked not to reveal real identity on the dark web. Moreover, one should not use banking and other financial services through these software.
Latest Updates on Dark Web
After reports surfaced that personal information of nearly 6 lakh customers of HDFC Bank was allegedly leaked on the Dark Web, the bank said on Tuesday there has been no data leak of its customers
Breach not from IRCTC, says Railways; private partners on Centre's radar
The cyber attack came on the heels of the massive AIIMS ransomware attack that has crippled nation's premier healthcare institution for days
The Hyderabad Narcotic Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) has busted a gang of drug traffickers operating through the dark web and apprehended two accused, who police described as dark web kingpins
Blocked by the Russian government, Twitter has entered the Dark Web and people can now access the platform via a Tor Onion service to bypass the censorship.
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Many commodities that can be purchased in the dark markets are inexpensive, making attacks cheaper and easier to conduct
The hackers' method for gaining access to the UN network appears to be unsophisticated: They likely got in using the stolen username and password of a UN employee purchased off the dark web
A ban would open the door to increased censorship, including blocks to popular apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter that a VPN would be able to circumvent, say experts
Payments firm says working closely with requisite authorities to conduct independent audit
The leak was first reported in February by security researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia, which the company had denied at the time
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Breaking down the steps you can take if your information is stolen and how you can limit your exposure to fraud
Data of nearly 100 million credit and debit card holders in the country is being sold for an undisclosed amount on the Dark Web. Tune in for more
Breach after attack on Bengaluru-based fintech service provider Juspay's server
Most net users have at some time or the other used some service, which has been compromised. You can probe further to check what that data is
Darknet vendors are also selling medications and cures, including effective treatments, like Remdesivir, and ineffective treatments, like Hydroxychloroquine
LimeRoad was co-founded in 2012 by Suchi Mukherjee, Manish Saksena and Ankush Mehra as a fashion marketplace for women.