DARKNET (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Cybersecurity)

Context: Recently, the National Testing Agency (NTA) faced a new threat from the ‘darknet’, causing staff to doubt exam security.

Dark Net 

• About: It is also referred to as the dark web, is a maze of secret websites accessible only through encrypted channels.
• Browser Requirement: It is the hidden collective of internet sites that can only be accessed by a specialized web browser.
• Privacy: The Dark Net is used for keeping internet activity anonymous and private, useful for both legal and illegal applications.
• Tor Browser: Users access the Dark Web using tools like the Tor (The Onion Router) browser, which routes internet traffic through a network of relays.
• Original Purpose: Initially designed to ensure secure and anonymous exchanges, particularly for governmental and military purposes, the Dark Net has regrettably become synonymous with criminal enterprises.

Surface Web 

• About: These are websites that search engines can easily index and access, open to the public and including everything from news articles to online shopping platforms.
• When you search on Google, you’re exploring the Surface Web, which represents only about 10% of the entire web.
• Examples: News websites, blogs, e-commerce platforms, and educational resources.

Deep Web

• About: The Deep Web encompasses content that search engines cannot index. While it’s not hidden, it remains inaccessible to traditional search engines.
• Data Leaks: Although search engines don’t index the Deep Web, some data may leak through data breaches or targeted attacks.