The Internet has become an essential part of life. It is no more a desire. It’s a necessity like a house. Similarly, the surface web is like the visible house of the internet. It’s where most of the action happens that we see every day. When we use search engines we’re searching the surface web. It’s full of websites that anyone can access freely. Social media sites, news websites, online stores, educational pages—these are all part of the surface web.
The deep web is like a hidden part of the internet, sort of like the basement of a house. It’s not easily found using search engines because it’s not indexed like the surface web. This part includes things like emails, online banking, or private accounts. So, anything that needs a login or is behind a wall is part of the deep web. It’s not “bad” or scary; it’s just not as visible.
The dark web is the most secretive part, like a hidden room in the basement. It’s intentionally hidden and not easy to access. People use special software to go there, and it’s not legal in many cases. Here, you can find things that are often against the law, like illegal drugs, weapons, or stolen information. It’s a place where illegal activities happen secretly, and it’s very dangerous to go there without good reason and protection.
What Are Dark Web Crimes?
Dark web crimes are illegal activities that take place on the dark web. These can include selling drugs, stolen credit card information, weapons, and even human trafficking. Criminals use the anonymity of the dark web to hide their identities and activities from law enforcement.It is illegal to access the dark web safely.
How Are Dark Web Crimes Investigated?
Investigating dark web crimes is like being a detective. We use special methods to track down these criminals and bring them to justice. Here’s how we do it:
- Digital Footprints: Just like footprints in the sand, every action leaves a mark. We follow these digital footprints left by criminals on the dark web to trace their activities. Investigators follow these digital footprints to see where people have been and what they’ve been doing on the dark web. It’s like following a trail of breadcrumbs to find out where someone has gone or what they’ve been up to online.
- Undercover Operations: Some investigators go undercover, pretending to be criminals themselves. This helps them gain the trust of criminals and gather valuable information.
- Collaboration: We work with other law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts to pool our resources and knowledge. Teamwork helps us solve complex cases more effectively.
- Advanced Technology: We use advanced technology and tools to monitor the dark web. These tools help us identify websites on the dark web and track down those involved.
Tools Used in Dark Web Investigations
- Tor Browser: This is a special dark web browser that allows investigators to access the dark web while maintaining anonymity. It’s like wearing a disguise.
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): TOR Network consists of VPNs that help hide the investigator’s IP address, making it difficult for criminals to trace them back.
- Specialized Software: There are various software programs under the TOR Project that help in monitoring activities and analyzing users on the dark web. These tools provide valuable insights into criminal operations.
- Cryptography Tools: These tools help decode encrypted information and understand messages that are otherwise scrambled.
- Dark Web Search Engines: Special search engines help investigators navigate the dark web and also find illegal activities. These search engines are designed for the dark web environment.
Dark Web Investigations in History
- Silk Road:
- Silk Road was an infamous dark web marketplace where people could buy and sell personal information, illegal drugs, fake passports, and more using cryptocurrency.
- Dark Web Investigations: Law enforcement agencies worked hard to unveil the mastermind behind Silk Road, Ross Ulbricht. They used undercover agents and digital tracking to catch him.
- AlphaBay:
- AlphaBay was another major dark web marketplace where people traded drugs, weapons, stolen credit card details, and hacking tools.
- Investigation: Investigators from multiple countries collaborated to bring down AlphaBay. They managed to arrest the site’s creator, Alexandre Cazes, and shut down the marketplace.
- Playpen:
- Playpen was a dark web child pornography site that had thousands of members sharing illegal images and videos.
- Investigation: Law enforcement agencies worldwide joined forces to dismantle this horrific network. They arrested hundreds of offenders and rescued many children from dangerous situations.
- Operation Onymous:
- Operation Onymous was a big effort by police to stop illegal activities on the internet. They went after websites selling drugs, fake passports, and also other illegal stuff. It was like a digital police raid, shutting down hidden parts of the internet where criminals were doing bad things. This operation showed that even online, the law can catch up with those breaking it.
- Investigation: Law enforcement agencies from different countries worked together. They not only arrested individuals but also seized several dark web sites, disrupting criminal operations.
- Hansa Market:
- Hansa Market was also a dark web marketplace that replaced AlphaBay after its takedown. The authorities were worried because Hansa made it easy for criminals to do illegal activities without being caught. Unbeknownst to its users, it was secretly controlled by law enforcement to gather information.
- Investigation: This undercover operation allowed law enforcement to track illegal transactions and identify criminals using the platform, leading to multiple arrests.
Certified Dark Web Investigation Professional
If you want to know more about exploring the hidden parts of the internet you can take a course with Riskpro. They have a special course that helps you understand and also investigate this mysterious part of the internet. You’ll learn about different techniques and tools that investigators use to uncover secrets. They have a comprehensive resource on mysteries in this hidden world. It’s like being a detective in the online world, uncovering hidden information that can be important for various reasons. The course is structured in a way that anyone can join, even if you’re new to this concept. So, if you’re curious and want to learn more about the dark web and how investigations happen there, this course might be just what you need.
