The development of information technologies is generally associated with infinite opportunities for a user. Just by downloading the necessary webpage, a user accesses an enormous amount of information from different parts of the world. The Internet allowed people to stay in touch with family, friends, and colleagues, do business, shop, and receive education easier and faster. However, people rarely think about the hidden side of the Internet, which cannot be found through usual search engines like Google and Bing. This dark side of the Internet, referred to as the Darknet, includes the encrypted information and the content of criminal nature. The present paper focuses on the overview of the Darknet, its purposes, users, and ways to control it.
To begin with, it is necessary to understand that the Internet consists of several parts containing information of different nature. The Surface Web, which is safe and legal information that a user comes across every day, takes the least of the whole Internet. The largest part includes protected information hidden from search engines, such as bank account data and medical records. Finally, the Darknet is an intentionally encrypted part of the Internet, which gives access to web pages with hidden IP addresses and can be connected with illegal activity.
In order to access the Darknet, it is necessary to use specific networks, such as Tor, Freenet, or I2P. The principle of the Darknet is that the layered encryption technology transfers the user’s data through a significant number of intermediate services. This encryption system allows securing the IP address and geolocation of the user’s computer and hiding the information about the host. This peculiarity attracts scammers, hackers, and even terrorists, as their activity is unlikely to be traced. For example, the Silk Road was the anonymous online market, where illegal trade took place. The Darknet users sell guns and drugs; others provide access to pornography and sell personal data of regular users, such as Social Security Number and bank account information. At the same time, the Darknet can be used for the purposes of national security, combatting cybercrimes, and even journalism.
Nowadays, there are still not enough technological resources to block the entire hidden part of the Internet. It can be explained by the complexity of its structure and a large number of secret access points. At the same time, certain parts of illegal activity can be controlled as a result of its users’ mistakes. For example, if the user forgets about personal anonymity and logs in under user name and password, security services may easily identify the individual.
A firewall is another system that can be used to control the Darknet. This network security device was designed to monitor and block specific incoming or outgoing traffic. China has already tried to apply this measure on its territory; however, this system does not appear effective, and Chinese users can still access the Darknet. The problem is that in order to enable the overall control over the Darknet, it is necessary to block all exit nodes owned by every provider. Besides, there can be a risk of blocking the whole World Wide Web system of the country.
Another question that IT specialists ask is whether the dark part of the Internet should be controlled. Even though today it is associated with the criminal world, the first hidden webpages appeared to ensure security. For example, the Tor network was first designed by the US Naval Research Laboratory. By monitoring the Darknet, intelligence services may identify cybercriminals who were not careful enough in terms of their anonymity. Other purposes of the Darknet use are connected with activism, journalism, and whistleblowing. For example, some journalists have to maintain anonymity in their communication. The Darknet can be used to combat political regimes, provide privacy, and eliminate the risk of political repressions. Finally, some users access the Darknet for educational or entertainment purposes, because it allows downloading licensed books, music, and films.
To summarize, even though these factors show that the Darknet can be used for relatively peaceful purposes, it is fair to say that the development of IT technology helped the criminal world expand into cyberspace. Moreover, even if the purpose of the Darknet user is not connected with the illegal business, specially designed networks still provide access to criminal activity. The encrypted Internet, which was initially developed for data protection, can now be used for opposite purposes. Therefore, it should be controlled to eliminate illegal business and provide national and individual security.
Unfortunately, nowadays, there is not enough knowledge to hack the entire Darknet system. Simultaneously, the enormous profit of the illegal Darknet business encourages further development of encryption technologies. Therefore, governments need to find a way to control the criminal world in general. By developing their information technologies, security services may monitor at least the certain parts of the “dark Internet.” First results, such as hacking Silk Road and creating cyber defense groups, demonstrate that security services have already enjoyed some progress. However, integrated measures, such as managing Internet policy and ensuring the security of regular users’ personal data, are needed to minimize the negative consequences of the Darknet use.