darkweb
Encrypted online underworld
The dark web is the portion of the internet accessible only through specialized software like Tor, designed to anonymize users and hide website locations.
It hosts legitimate privacy-focused services alongside illegal marketplaces for drugs, weapons, stolen data, and other contraband: The stolen passwords ended up for sale on the dark web.
Also spelled as two words: dark web.
Historic transcontinental trade network
- black marketIllicit trading system
- drug traffickingIllegal distribution of controlled substances
- cybercrimeIllegal digital conduct
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
stolen data · identity theft · money laundering · fraud · carders · counterfeit · ransomware · narcotics
Anonymous routing network
- encryptionConverting data into code
- anonymityUnknown identity state
- VPNEncrypted network connection
- proxyAuthorized substitute
Authorized security vulnerability assessment
- law enforcementUpholding legal codes
- EuropolEU criminal intelligence agency
- takedownsActs of bringing down
- honeypotsBait systems catching attackers
forensics · corporate espionage · data breaches · attribution
Exposing hidden wrongdoing internally
- journalismNews gathering and dissemination
- activismDirect effort for reform
- political dissidentsGovernment critics facing persecution
- free speechProtected verbal liberty
oppressive regimes · leaked documents · human rights · underground press · secure messaging · witness protection · investigative reporting
Silk Road
Historic transcontinental trade network
- black marketIllicit trading system
- drug traffickingIllegal distribution of controlled substances
- cybercrimeIllegal digital conduct
contraband · stolen data · identity theft · money laundering · fraud · carders · counterfeit · ransomware · narcotics · illicit goods
Tor
Anonymous routing network
- encryptionConverting data into code
- anonymityUnknown identity state
- VPNEncrypted network connection
proxy · cryptocurrency · Bitcoin · bridges · end-to-end encryption
penetration testing
Authorized security vulnerability assessment
- law enforcementUpholding legal codes
- EuropolEU criminal intelligence agency
- takedownsActs of bringing down
honeypots · forensics · corporate espionage · data breaches · attribution
whistleblowing
Exposing hidden wrongdoing internally
- journalismNews gathering and dissemination
- activismDirect effort for reform
- political dissidentsGovernment critics facing persecution
free speech · oppressive regimes · leaked documents · human rights · underground press · secure messaging · witness protection · investigative reporting