The shocking exploits of British paedophile Richard Huckle exposed many people to the digital realm known as the “Dark Web”, an encrypted network that has long existed in secret.
The Dark Web is the exact opposite of the Web most of us are used to, where common search engines, such as Google, Yahoo and Bing, help users find what they’re looking for.
The Dark Web is intentionally hidden from prying eyes using special encryption and is not accessible via standard browsers.
To get there, users need specific browsers and a “start-up kit” that includes other software and add-ons designed to keep users anonymous. Privacy is a key feature of the Dark Web.
The main reason for all this secrecy is the content found on these “hidden” websites, which include trade of illicit pornographic materials, weapons, cyber threats and even assassination services.
The site darkwebnews.com, one of several online resources about the Dark Web, points out that there is also a large section of this secret Web used by whistle-blowers to come forward and expose people, organisations and governments for wrong doings.
“The Deep Web is a very colourful and diverse place. One thing is for sure though — you have to have a strong stomach if you want to browse. There are things there that once seen can’t be unseen… So tread carefully!” it warns in an introductory posting.
There’s also a user-guide and frequently-asked-questions section, which addresses some of the concerns Dark Web users might have.
Much of it can be quite technical, but there’re also gems like “Retaining a lawyer, how to handle getting caught or interrogated”, which identifies the most commonly asked question as “should I keep an emergency lawyer fund on hand? And how much should it be?”
The answer, apparently, is “give your lawyer 50k and put him on a retainer”.
“You should already have your lawyer paid plus extra in case he needs to post bond for you and they seize the majority of your drug funds,” it adds.
There’s also a question of where one would run to if there was no other choice, followed by a list of 75 countries that do not have an
extradition treaty with the United States — from Afghanistan to Yemen.
The Dark Web resource also accords some recognition of law enforcement’s technical capabilities, from “simple backdoors, flying a drone over your house to sniff packets, mould injecting backdoor chips into your computer case, to beaming energy into your house”.
Government agencies and prosecutors are genuinely concerned about the Dark Web because they view it as a haven for criminal activity.
Interpol, for instance, offers a dedicated Dark Web training programme featuring technical information, cybersecurity and simulated darknet market take downs.
When you think about it, the Dark Web’s existence shouldn’t really come as a surprise. It is, after all, another manifestation of the eternal conflict between Good vs Evil, Light vs Dark and Right vs Wrong that have been part of mankind from the very beginning.
The Internet has it’s Dark Web? Well, cities and towns have their neighbourhoods and alleys that locals know to avoid for safety reasons.
Words, objects, chemicals and technology can be used to encourage or suppress, build or destroy, help or harm. It all depends on how they are used.
Even at the individual level, it is a constant struggle between our rational and civilised mind and that “darker” side of us, whether you call it our subconscious, id, or our own personal demons.
Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. The outcome would determine whether we do the right thing, and make the correct choices. The challenge is to strengthen our self-control.
One of the benefits about the fasting month of Ramadan, which is coming to a close, is that it helps train that self-control.
We can only hope to get better at staying away from the dark alleys and shadows, be they in our hearts and minds, on the streets, or in the World Wide Web.
Selamat Hari Raya, everyone.
Lokman Mansor studied journalism at the University of Toledo, Ohio. He has been with the NSTP group for more than two decades, the majority of them at ‘Business Times’. He has a wide range of interests in movies and music, plays golf and the drums