Dark Web Dangers and Risks
The Dark Web is a dangerous place. It’s home to marketplaces for drugs and contraband, illegal arms sales, and exploitative content. It’s also where malicious actors share stolen personal data like hacked passwords, Social Security numbers and dates of birth.
The Dark Web can cause devices to become infected with malware, ransomware and trojan horses. This is why endpoint security programs need to include identity theft monitoring and antimalware protections. Identity Theft
If you use the regular internet to send emails, shop online and watch YouTube videos, you probably don’t think about the dark web. But this underground network is also home to illicit activities and private databases that don’t see the light of day on the regular internet.
The dark web is a place where hackers, thieves and other criminals can buy, sell and trade personal information. This includes stolen credit card information, login credentials for your bank accounts and even counterfeit currency. And because the data isn’t visible to search engines, it can stay on the dark web forever.
It’s also a place where ransomware gangs, like the Clop group responsible for the MOVEit extortion attacks, display their exploits and expose sensitive data they have ruthlessly stolen. Tulane University cybersecurity expert dark web sites Demetrice Rogers says ransomware and other cyber attacks that harm businesses and individuals often start on the dark web.
Hackers steal this information not only to make financial profit, but also to gain “respect” in their community. And with the rise of cryptocurrencies, stolen information is worth more than cash. A valid Social Security number, for instance, can sell for as little as $5 on the dark web.
Sadly, the dark web is also a place where identity theft can take a devastating toll on individuals and families. It can put patients’ lives at risk when hospitals are hit with ransomware and cause schools to close, affecting children and their families. And it can block access to local government resources, like water and gas, which impacts the quality of life for vulnerable residents.
But despite the dangers, it isn’t impossible to avoid the dark web altogether. One way is to use a secure VPN when using the internet. Another is to choose a device with a strong operating system, such as a Mac. Since Apple controls the entire ecosystem of software and hardware, it’s a lot more difficult for hackers to breach it.
You can also protect yourself by using unique, strong passwords for each account and using two-factor authentication whenever possible. And never click on suspicious links or download files from websites you don’t trust. In addition, consider deleting your social media accounts and switching to a new email address that isn’t tied to your real name. Financial Fraud
The Dark Web offers criminals an ideal breeding ground to carry out all types of illegal activities. Criminals use the anonymity offered by the dark web to engage in illicit activities including arms trafficking, drug dealing and sharing exploitative content like child pornography or images of violence and abuse. It also houses websites that support the rhetoric of neo-Nazis and white supremacist groups.
It is also a hub for cyber attacks that harm people and businesses around the world. Ransomware gangs like Clop exhibit the sensitive data they ruthlessly steal on dark web marketplaces and use it to launch cyberattacks that disrupt hospital systems, shut down schools and cause gas and water shortages that impact vulnerable populations.
Moreover, the Dark Web allows criminals to launder money through the use of digital currencies. It also provides access to emerging cyber threats and viruses as well as hitmen for hire. The most notorious dark market was Silk Road which, at its peak, served as a platform for narcotics traffickers and other criminals to conduct their illegal activity.
Users of the Dark Web are also at risk when they visit websites that download unsolicited files containing malware and viruses. Some of these files are injected with ransomware that hijacks computers and encrypts files until the user pays a ransom. This can lead to serious financial losses for both individuals and companies.
It’s important to note that there are many legitimate uses of the Dark Web, but users should exercise caution and be aware of its potential dangers. It’s also a good idea to only visit sites using secure tools, such as Tor with PGP or a multi-hop VPN. This will help users avoid accidentally downloading prohibited material, such as that banned in their residing country. Additionally, they should never enter personal information online. This includes passwords for their bank accounts, email, and other important digital assets. If they do, their personal data could be stolen and used for financial fraud or targeted cyberattacks. If this happens, they need to report their experiences and contact law enforcement immediately. Cyber Attacks
Cyber attacks and scams aren’t a stranger to the dark web. It’s a common place for hackers and other cybercriminals to gather and share information, such as personally identifiable information (PII). If your PII gets published on the dark web, it makes it easier for attackers to target you with targeted cyberattacks that are uniquely tailored just for you.
The dark web is also a place for criminals to find and sell stolen information. These marketplaces often have a large selection of PII, including credit card numbers, passport numbers and passwords. They can also be sold for other illegal purposes, such as gambling, child pornography and terrorism.
In addition to selling personal information, the dark web is a common place for cybercriminals to publish phishing websites that lure unsuspecting victims into clicking on links that infect their devices with ransomware, spyware, keyloggers and other types of malware. These types of cyberattacks can have devastating consequences, ranging from a loss of sensitive data to financial fraud and identity theft.
It’s important to be aware of these risks, and to take steps to protect yourself online. This includes securing your accounts with strong passwords and using a secure VPN when browsing the dark web. It’s also important to be skeptical of any messages or friend requests from unknown third parties. This can be a sign of a man-in-the-middle attack, where an attacker hijacks a session between the client and host to gain information about a specific account.
To keep your devices safe, you should use the Tor browser when accessing the dark web. Tor is designed to keep users anonymous by bouncing internet traffic through a network of relays, protecting your device and your identity from prying eyes. It’s also a good idea to use a computer with an up-to-date operating system, like Windows. However, we recommend using a Mac, as these machines tend to be more secure than their Windows counterparts.
Despite its sinister reputation, there are many legitimate reasons to visit the dark web. It’s a great source of news and commentary that’s not available on the surface web, and it offers the freedom to discuss topics without censorship. Additionally, you can find information on various emerging cyber threats and viruses. The dark web is also home to illegal marketplaces where you can purchase drugs, off-the-shelf computer viruses and even hitmen for hire. Malware
Cybercriminals use the dark web to sell stolen personal information, including identity and financial data, which they publish online for profit. Passwords, home addresses, social security numbers, credit card details and other sensitive data circulate on the dark web all the time, where they can be used to breach other online accounts, harm your reputation through social fraud, and commit financial theft.
The dark web can also be a breeding ground for viruses and malware. It's common for criminals to rent access to corporate networks via the dark web, which they can then use to distribute malicious software (malware) that can cause serious damage to businesses. Malware on the dark web includes ransomware, which demands money from victims in order to unlock their devices; phishing templates that criminals use to target employees and customers; keyloggers, which record every stroke of the keyboard; and spyware, which monitors online activity and can gather confidential information.
In addition, the dark web is a marketplace for hacking tools and services, such as distributed denial-of-service attacks. In a recent study, Terbium Labs catalogued more than 200 dark web domains and found that more than 75 percent were marketplaces for illegal goods and services. The most popular products were recreational and pharmaceutical drugs, followed by stolen identities and counterfeit documents. Marketplaces for obtaining these items were often financed with Bitcoin and other untraceable cryptocurrencies like Monero.
Another risk of visiting the dark web is that cybercriminals can identify your IP address if you visit sites without a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This exposes you to cyberthreats such as doxing, where criminals post personal information about you online for others to see. The risk of doxing is especially high if you visit the dark web from your work computer or mobile phone.
There are many ways to reduce your exposure to these dark web dangers. The first step is to ensure that your operating system is updated with the latest patches and security fixes. You should also choose an operating system, such as Mac, that offers a secure ecosystem, in which Apple controls the entire hardware and software experience.