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This week caps off our year of cyber breaches; in this week alone, we saw millions of records stolen, targeted health providers, mortgage servicers crumble, and the return of a year-old breach. The Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO) is a privately owned insurance group with 70 branches in the US. where to buy fentanyl test strips They provide insurance plans for all aspects of life, including auto, motorcycle, travel, pet, homeowner, renter, and jewelry options. This week, around 643k data records were announced as lost in the cyber wars. Early on, the public learned of HopSkipDrive’s event, which impacted 155k student guardians.
Many people mistakenly believe that the dark web is the huge sinister mass lurking under the surface of the world wide web. The dark web was estimated to contain 205,000 web pages by “The Darkness Online” report in 2016. In comparison, in 2013 Google estimated that the open web was comprised of over 30 trillion pages. In other words, compared to the open web the dark web is a tiny tip of the deep web iceberg that whilst sinister, isn’t particularly large.
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, but it also has legitimate uses. In this article, we will explore what the dark web is used for.
Bankers Life—Retirement Solutions Provider—Faces Member Data Breach
Illegal Activities
Department of Defense started an endeavor to develop an anonymized and encrypted network that would protect the sensitive communications of U.S. spies. While the original project never saw the light of day, some researchers saw a different value proposition of the dark web — a nonprofit focused on anonymity for human rights and privacy activists. The internet puts a galaxy of information at our fingertips and is an indispensable part of our professional and personal lives.
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Drug Trafficking: The dark web is often used for the sale and distribution of illegal drugs. Online marketplaces like the Silk Road and its successors have made it easy for people to buy and sell drugs anonymously.
Weapons Sales: The dark web is also used for the sale of illegal weapons. This includes firearms, explosives, and other dangerous devices.
Hacking Services: The dark web is home to a large number of hackers who offer their services for hire. This includes everything from stealing personal information to launching cyberattacks on businesses and governments.
Ransomware Hits Kentucky Healthcare Network, Exposing Data Of 25 Million
Robeson Health Care Corporation (RHCC) is a healthcare network serving North Carolina residents. They offer behavioral, dental, general, and outreach services in nine locations across six counties. Zeroed-In Technologies offers curated human resource solutions and analytics to organizations. Among those who use their services are the City of Detroit, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and the U.S. LoanCare is a sub-servicing entity that assists mortgage loan providers with finance and data functions; they service over 1.5 million customers across the states and beyond.
Entrapment — Concerns were expressed over the possibility of legal actions for entrapment brought by web users conducting business on dark web marketplaces created by law enforcement, the report said. The risk can arise when authorities must impersonate criminals to establish trust with criminals on the dark web. The “dark web” is an internet shadow world where the good and the bad co-exist. As an introvert, I’m inclined to see the Dark Web through a different lens. I appreciate the solitude and the ability to search for information without being tracked, and I’m not alone.
Hacking Tools And Services
Child Pornography: The dark web is unfortunately also used for the sharing and distribution of child pornography. Law enforcement agencies around the world are working to shut down these sites and bring the people responsible to justice.
Is it safe to use Tor?
Because of how it operates, Tor is generally safe to use, and Tor onion browser offer several benefits like heightened safety and privacy. Before using the Tor browser, though, users should be aware of any potential legal issues with Tor in their country, and that they could be flagged for its use.
Legitimate Uses
How much of the internet is the dark web?
The dark web is a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden, requiring a specific browser—Tor—to access, as explained below. No one really knows the size of the dark web, but most estimates put it at around 5% of the total internet.
Despite its reputation, the dark web does have legitimate uses. Here are a few examples:
- Whistleblowing: The dark web can be used by whistleblowers to share sensitive information without fear of retribution.
- Political Dissidents: The dark web can be used by political dissidents in how to access the dark web with tor repressive regimes to communicate and organize without fear of government surveillance.
- Journalism: The dark web can be used by journalists to protect their sources and communicate with whistleblowers.
- Privacy: The dark web can be used by anyone who wants to maintain their privacy and avoid mass surveillance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the deep web and the dark web?
The deep web refers to all the parts of the internet that are not indexed by search engines. This includes everything from academic databases to corporate intranets. The dark web, on the other hand, is a small subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access.
- Tor can be used together with a VPN to provide powerful, overlapping levels of privacy and anonymity.
- However, it is important to note that many of these search engines may lead to illegal and dangerous content, such as child pornography and illegal drugs.
- If your mobile phone carrier has a security feature that prevents numbers from being ported to new phones, sign up for it.
- If it sounds like too much work, then it’s best to sign up for a fraud alert.
- You might find login portals for websites, payment systems, or even private forums where people discuss sensitive subjects.
Is it illegal to access the dark web?
No, it is not illegal to access the dark web. However, many of the activities that take place on the dark web are illegal, and law how to use darknet markets enforcement agencies around the world are working to shut down these activities and bring the people responsible to justice.
How do I access the dark web?
What is the new name for the dark web?
The dark web, also known as darknet websites, are accessible only through networks such as Tor ("The Onion Routing" project) that are created specifically for the dark web. Tor browser and Tor-accessible sites are widely used among the darknet users and can be identified by the domain ".onion".
To access the dark web, you will need to use a special browser like Tor. This browser encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a series of servers around the world, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity.
Is the dark web dangerous?
Yes, the dark web can be dangerous. Many of the activities that take place on the dark web are illegal, and there is always the risk of running into malicious actors. It is important to exercise caution and use a reputable VPN service when accessing the dark web.
Can the dark web be shut down?
No, the dark web cannot be shut down. It is a decentralized network that is not controlled by any single entity. However, law enforcement agencies around the world are working to disrupt illegal activities on the dark web and bring the people responsible to justice.
What happens if your SSN is on the dark web?
If your SSN ends up on the dark web, you can become a prime candidate for attempted identity theft and fraud. Scammers can purchase your SSN on the dark web and use it to open new accounts and credit cards, apply for loans, activate medical insurance, or claim benefits in your name.
