DarkNet and Cyberattacks – How TOR made criminals thrive.

The internet has become an integral part of our lives, enabling us to connect with others, access information, and engage in commerce. However, the anonymity and privacy afforded by the internet have also made it a fertile ground for cyber-criminals. One of the most notorious places on the internet for criminal activity is the dark-net, a collection of websites and services that are not indexed by search engines and can only be accessed using specialized software.

While the dark-net has legitimate uses such as protecting the privacy of activists and journalists, it has also become a hub for cyber-criminals. Such criminals engage in a variety of illegal activities such as hacking, identity theft, and the sale of stolen data. In this article, we will explore the associations of the dark-net and cyber-crime, how the dark-net facilitates digital crime, and how this has affected the number of cyber-attacks over the years.

The Dark-Net and Cyber-Crime

The dark-net is a collection of websites and services that are not accessible through the regular internet. Instead, users must use specialized software such as Tor to access these sites. While the dark-net has legitimate uses such as protecting the privacy of activists and journalists, it has also become a hub for cyber-criminals who engage in a variety of illegal activities.

One of the primary reasons that the dark-net is attractive to cyber-criminals is the anonymity that it affords. Users can access the dark-net using software that masks their IP address, making it difficult for law enforcement to track them down. Additionally, many dark-net sites use encrypted communication channels, further complicating efforts to monitor and track criminal activity.

The dark-net has facilitated a wide range of cyber-crime activities. Most of these include the sale of stolen data, hacking tools and services, and the exchange of illegal goods and services. One of the most common activities on the dark-net is the sale of stolen data. Some examples of data sold are credit cards, bank account details, and social security numbers. Cyber-criminals can purchase this information and use it to commit identity theft and other financial crimes.

In addition to the sale of stolen data, the dark-net is also a hub for the sale of hacking tools and services. These tools can include exploit kits, malware, and other software designed to enable cyber-criminals to gain unauthorized access to computer systems and networks. Some of these tools are even offered as a service, allowing individuals to hire a hacker to conduct a specific cyber-attack on their behalf.

The dark-net has also become a hub for the exchange of illegal goods and services, including drugs, weapons, and other contraband. Dark-net marketplaces such as Silk Road and AlphaBay facilitated the sale of these goods and services until they were shut down by law enforcement. While these marketplaces have been taken down, others have sprung up in their place, demonstrating the resilience of the dark-net as a platform for criminal activity.

The Impact on Cyber-Attacks

The rise of the dark-net has had a significant impact on the number of cyber-attacks that occur each year. According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, cyber-crime is expected to cost the world $6 trillion annually by 2021, up from $3 trillion in 2015. The report cites the dark-net as a primary factor in the increase in cyber-crime, due to the ease with which cyber-criminals can access tools and services to carry out their activities.

One of the ways in which the dark-net has affected the number of cyber-attacks is by enabling more sophisticated attacks. The sale of hacking tools and services on the dark-net has made it easier for individuals with little to no technical expertise to launch cyber-attacks. This has resulted in an increase in the number of attacks targeting businesses and individuals, leading to financial losses and reputational damage.

The dark-net has also enabled cyber-criminals to launch more targeted and personalized attacks. By purchasing stolen data on the dark-net, cyber-criminals can conduct more effective phishing attacks, where they pose as legitimate companies to trick individuals into providing sensitive information such as usernames and passwords. This has resulted in an increase in the number of successful phishing attacks, leading to a rise in data breaches and identity theft.

Furthermore, the dark-net has facilitated the growth of ransomware attacks. Cyber-criminals encrypt a victim’s data and demand a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. The sale of ransomware on the dark-net has made it easier for individuals to launch these attacks. This lead to a significant increase in the number of ransomware attacks in recent years.

Infamous Attacks Facilitated by the Dark-Net

The dark-net has facilitated some of the largest and most damaging cyber-attacks in history. One example is the WannaCry ransomware attack that occurred in May 2017. This global attack infected more than 200,000 computers in over 150 countries. It was conducted using a tool called EternalBlue that was developed by the United States National Security Agency (NSA) . The tool was leaked and the dark-net. The attack caused billions of dollars in damages, disrupted critical infrastructure such as healthcare systems, banks, and government agencies.

Another example is the NotPetya ransomware attack that occurred in June 2017. This global attack infected computers in over 65 countries and was facilitated by a Ukrainian accounting software called MeDoc that was hacked and used to spread the malware. The attack caused an estimated $10 billion in damages and disrupted operations at major corporations such as Merck, FedEx, and Maersk.

The dark-net has also been used to facilitate large-scale botnet attacks. One example is the Mirai botnet that was responsible for one of the largest Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks in history. The attack targeted Dyn, a domain name system provider, and disrupted internet access for millions of users in the United States and Europe. The Mirai botnet was facilitated by the sale of Internet of Things (IoT) devices on the dark-net that had weak security protocols.

The Equifax data breach that occurred in 2017 is another example of a cyber-attack facilitated by the dark-net. Equifax, one of the largest credit reporting agencies in the United States, suffered a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of over 147 million people. The breach was facilitated by a vulnerability in Equifax’s website, which was exploited by hackers who sold the stolen data on the dark-net.

These examples demonstrate the significant impact that cyber-attacks facilitated by the dark-net can have on individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. The use of the dark-net to facilitate these attacks makes it more difficult for law enforcement to track down and prosecute cyber-criminals, highlighting the importance of cyber-security measures and proactive efforts to prevent these attacks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the dark-net has become a hub for cyber-criminals who engage in a variety of illegal activities such as hacking, identity theft, and the sale of stolen data. The anonymity and privacy afforded by the dark-net has made it difficult for law enforcement to track down cyber-criminals, leading to an increase in the number of cyber-attacks each year.

While the dark-net has legitimate uses such as protecting the privacy of activists and journalists, it has become a breeding ground for cyber-criminals. The sale of hacking tools and services, the exchange of illegal goods and services, and the ability to launch more sophisticated and personalized attacks have all contributed to the rise of cyber-crime.

As the use of technology continues to grow, it is important that individuals and businesses take steps to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. This includes using strong passwords, keeping software up to date, and being cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments. By taking these steps, we can help to reduce the impact of cyber-crime and protect our digital assets.