According to the report, users primarily use cryptocurrencies to make payments and are largely anonymous and untraceable.
The federal government has sent a cybersecurity advisory to all of its ministries and provincial departments, advising them to take the necessary precautions to prevent official data from being breached or posted on the dark web, according to a media report.
The cybersecurity advisory has recommended a number of actions, such as using two-factor authentication on all email, social media, and banking accounts; refraining from installing dubious software and pointless plugins on browsers; and never forwarding or clicking a link shared via email or WhatsApp by unknown sources.
A portion of the internet that is hidden from search engines is known as the “dark web,” also known as the “darknet.” According to the report, users primarily use cryptocurrencies to make payments and are largely anonymous and untraceable. The dark web is also being used by criminals, terrorists, hostile intelligence agencies (HIAs), and non-state actors.
The advisory, titled “Leakage of Sensitive Data on the Dark Web,” notes that the dark web contains 96% of all data available on the internet and that its anonymity makes it a “gateway to the world of crime.” The advisory lists a few of the crimes committed on the dark web, such as hacking, extortion, and financing terrorism.
According to the advisory, the user is advised to take steps to prevent personal and official data from being exposed to cybercriminals and from further leakage on hacking forums, including the dark web. It advised users to avoid looking at dark web sources and to be cautious when browsing the internet.
A portion of the internet known as the “dark web” is inaccessible using a regular web browser and is not indexed by search engines. Only specific software, like the TOR browser, can access it. The dark web has been used for illegal activities like the distribution of child pornography, the trade of stolen credit card numbers and personal information, and the sale of illegal drugs and weapons due to its anonymity.
As an anonymous means of communication for journalists and political activists, it has also been used legally. However, it is crucial to remember that accessing the dark web can be dangerous due to the possibility of coming across malicious software or individuals, and can be illegal in some countries.