Thursday, January 20, 2022

Secondary School for Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science

Dark Web

Student: Nik Colnarič, R-3b

Teacher: Klavdija Špur Jereb, mag. Boštjan Resinovič
Subject: SMV / STE

Abstract:
In this seminar paper I am going to represent Dark web and how to access it use it and
how to be safe on there. I chose this topic because I really like to see how hackers can
commit crime and are still untraceable. Tor browser went through so much
development in years so it can be the safest way to enter Dark web and search on it.

Key words: dark web, tor browser, illegal, Anonymity

Table of content
Table of figures...........................................................................................................................................3
1) Introduction..........................................................................................................................................4
2) Dark web................................................................................................................................................ 4
2.1) Beginning of dark web................................................................................................................4
2.2) Dark web now.................................................................................................................................5
3) Why to use it and what can happen............................................................................................5
3.1) Malware............................................................................................................................................ 5
3.2) Fraudulent Sites.............................................................................................................................5
3.3) Tracking of criminals....................................................................................................................6

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4) How to access......................................................................................................................................6
4.1) The Hidden Wiki............................................................................................................................6
4.2) Tor browser......................................................................................................................................7
5) Difference and similarities between Dark and Deep web....................................................8
6) Conclusion............................................................................................................................................ 9
7) Glossary..................................................................................................................................................9
8) Sources................................................................................................................................................ 10
9) Practical part...................................................................................................................................... 11

Table of figures

Figure 1-Connection.................................................................................................................................7
Figure 2- Tor browser...............................................................................................................................8

Table of Tables
Table 1- Differences Between Dark and Deep web........................................................................9

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 1) Introduction
Dark web is the part of internet that is not available for users on normal web browsers like
google chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft edge. You can achieve the dark web through browser
named Tor browser. There you can find lots of different links to web sites that end with
(.onion). But on dark net there is also a lot of illegal stuff like selling stolen credit cards or
much worse guns and drugs. Another part of the internet is deep web which I am going to
compare with dark web.

2) Dark web

2.1) Beginning of dark web

Everything goes back to 1960s when ARPANET (Advanced Projects Agency Network)
was created. People in the army quickly found a way to communicate without people
intercepting. The illegal things on the Internet started in the 1970s when students
started to sell marijuana and getting transactions through web. ARPANET was divided
in two parts one is MILNET and second one is ARPANET. With year 1983 people started
to use Internet more and more. in 1990s precisely in 1991, the Internet was available to
public. In 2002 there was a release of Tor Browser which was private browser. This
changed everything for the dark web because of lack of security in government. Dark
web started to get popularity in 2009 when the Bitcoin was released. With the
cryptocurrency people could pay anonymously so the number of illegal contents
raised.

2.2) Dark web now

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Today the use of dark web is for child pornography, drug sales and other illegal
information. The servers for the websites that occupy the dark web change, meaning
that a specific link that takes one to an interface at this point may lead to interface that
is distinct at another time. Now there is a lot of financial crimes and malware.
Dangerous software system meant to harm the general functionality of computers and
networks due to infection, are two circumstances of technology-driven crimes
conducted using the dark web. The anonymous site not only allows hackers to easily
sell and buy hacking tools, but it also allows malware creators to share their ideas,
creating new cybersecurity threats that benefit criminals at the expense of the owners.

3) Why to use it and what can happen

As we know mostly government and bad people use dark web but there are everyday
people that use it to. There can be a lot of potential threats but are easily avoidable if
people are just careful enough.
On here we can find interesting things like research papers or medical advice and
remain anonymous. To be anonymous is a very good thing for free speech or exposing
criminals or even government. Dark web comes in good use for buying thins cheaper
especially security software.

3.1) Malware

Cyberattacks such as DDoS attacks, botnets, and other malware or viruses put you at
risk when you browse the dark web. Infectious viruses or malware can be installed
simply by typing the wrong URL or downloading a dangerous file by accident. This can
harm your device or, worse, reveal your private information.

3.2) Fraudulent Sites

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Using trojans, phishing, and other websites or programs, hackers on the dark web can
easily access your personal data. A simple miss click can sometimes be all it takes for
all the information on your computer to be exposed. Even worse, hackers have been
known to turn on computer cameras and microphones to capture live broadcasts from
unaware victims.

3.3) Tracking of criminals

Authorities are building up false websites to track any illegal activity on the dark web
to prevent criminal organizations from operating there. They gain access to whoever
visits the sites because of this, which can include you if you end up there by accident.
Even if you don't engage in criminal activities, using a browser like Tor can get you
tagged by these organizations in some parts of the world. Tor is a US government
product, so government spying is always a possibility. Avoiding sites with illegal acts
completely is the easiest method to avoid your browser activity being reported to
authorities

4) How to access

Dark web can be easily accessed by everyone with computer and internet connection.
First, never use normal browser because you are not getting anywhere. Instead, the
most known and reliable browser is TOR (The Onion Router) browser. After we
download a search engine, we just need to download VPN. VPN helps you hide your
location so if u accidently go on a wrong page the authorities cannot intercept your
darknet connection request and they would have to search your home and confiscate
the machine you were using to browse.
If u want even more protection u can use I2P (Invisible Internet Project) that hides your
activity and location through fully encrypted private network layer. I2P covers up the
server from the user as well as the user from the server.

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After we download VPN and Tor browser, we launch both.

4.1) The Hidden Wiki

The hidden wiki looks same as Wikipedia but on there are links to different sites on
dark web. These links contain different categories of dark web, but the best is editor’s
pick. Also, there are links that takes you to the darkest side of dark web that contains
torture, murder, rape, and child pornography. But hidden wiki is not the only search
engine there are much worse.

Figure 1-Connection

4.2) Tor browser

Tor browser is internet browser that allows people to be anonymous on the internet. It
was made by Mike Tigas. First version was launched in 2002. Tor was originally
designed for military purposes, but now serves everyone who wants anonymity. This
includes people such as journalists who want to protect their sources, employees who
are exposing companies or government.

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Many people use Tor for legal things and some individuals like hackers or
cybercriminals use it for selling illegal activity. Removing Tor browser could stop some
of this people but potentially they would find new ways to do bad things. So, Tor will
probably stay for now.
The use of its simple you just download and launch. Then you go on hidden wiki and
open link or have links on your own. Even if you are anonymous, you will still need to
be very careful.
While the Tor browser is completely legal in most parts of the world. There are some
countries that have made using this browser illegal or have had it blocked by national
authorities. China, for example, has outlawed the Tor browser and has blocked Tor.
A few years back there was a release of Tor browser for Android. That had made an
increase in amount of people who use Tor browser. The Tor Project had spent lots of
years in developing the best Tor browser for People on phone. Because there are
restrictions on IOS Tor browser is not available on there but there is an Onion Tor
browser instead.

5) Difference and similarities

between Dark and Deep web
Figure 2- Tor browser
Deep web cannot be accessed by the search
engines because there are private and sensitive data from government, banks and
more. It is used to only be accessed by specific people and might sometimes needs
password to unlock.

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 Dark web Deep web

1 Dark web requires specific Deep web is in WWW but no

software configuration to access. accessible by standard search
engine
2 Home to largest criminal activity On here are stored private
information’s
3 Dark web is small part of Deep System of websites that is
web, and it works on its categorized under Deep web
infrastructure
4 Content is only available by Content does not contain
encrypted network indexes by regular search
engines
5 Not organized web where people A lot of invisible websites
are hidden
Table 1- Differences Between Dark and Deep web

6) Conclusion
In this seminar paper I got a lot of knowledge about Dark web and why it is so popular in
between criminals. I concluded if all search engines that make you private would be disabled
there might be less hackers and cybercriminals.

7) Glossary

MILNET – internet only for military

DDoS – attack on a server or network so it crashes
Phishing – cybercrimes directed through text or email
Cybercriminals – group of people who steal data and sell it

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Encrypted network – network of encoded data communicated through computer
network

8) Sources

Sklici

Kaspersky. (2020, september 24). What is the Deep and Dark Web? Retrieved from
Kaspersky.com: https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/deep-web
Marks, T. (2021, october 15). Websites on the Dark Web Worth Visiting. Retrieved from
Vpnoverview.com: https://vpnoverview.com/privacy/anonymous-browsing/dark-
web-websites-worth-visiting/
NetworkChuck (Director). (2021). i put a DARK WEB website on a Raspberry Pi!!
[Motion Picture].
Perinic, M. (2019, December 22). Everything You Need to Know About Tor Browser.
Retrieved from bestonlinereviews.com:
https://www.bestonlinereviews.com/vpn/everything-you-need-to-know-about-
tor-browser/
Rafiqul Islam, E. O. (2019). Inside the Dark Web. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Unterfingher, V. (2019, august 8). How to Get on the Dark Web: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Retrieved from heimdalsecurity.com: https://heimdalsecurity.com/blog/how-to-
get-on-the-dark-web/

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VPNmentor. (2021, December 7). What Is the Dark Web and How to Access It Safely in
2021. Retrieved from vpnmentor.com: https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/whats-
the-dark-web-how-to-access-it-in-3-easy-steps/

9) Practical part

In practical part I am going to show how to download Tor browser than how to
download VPN and set up both. After that I am going on hidden wiki to show some
links and explore on Dark web.

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