infoTECH Feature

May 09, 2016

Inside Dark Web Incites Interest and Welcomes Industry Leaders

The Dark Web was created to provide secure communications for whistle blowers, government agencies and the like, but today it is a tool for nefarious acts. Whether it’s ordering illicit drugs or selling credit card and social security numbers, this underground network offers anonymity to evil-doers but this powerful weapon can be wielded by the “good guys” as well.

Aside from the Dark Web being greatly misunderstood, Bitcoin and the notion of cryptocurrency is another topic long overdue for in depth exploration. At the upcoming Inside Dark Web Conference, industry recognized thought leader in Bitcoin and the Dark Web Brian Koffler, President of Koffler Legal & Consulting Services, PPLC will share his insight during the session, “Dark Web & Cryptocurrency: A Match Made in Cyberspace.” Koffler will delve into both of these burgeoning areas of interest at 2pm on May 12, and leading up to the event he took some time to talk a little Dark Web with TMC (News - Alert).

TMC: Why do companies need to know about the Dark Web?

Brian Koffler: It's important for everyone to realize that the 'Internet' is a much larger place than they believe and that there are many areas where actions are much harder to track than the normal Internet that they are used to.  Security is paramount and the means of interacting with unknown parties can put you at risk if you don't realize what risks are out there.

TMC: How big is the Dark Web?

BK: There is a difference in the terminology of Deep Web and Dark Web. The Deep Web is really those areas of the web where crawlers don't search. This is typically benign info. The Dark Web is not quite as large as the general public believes, but it still contains thousands of sites which are inaccessible without the use of TOR or other proxy software.

TMC: Is the Dark Web safe?

BK: The Dark Web is just as safe or not safe as any other area on the Internet. It is arguably safer if you know how to use it.

TMC: What opportunities or challenges have arisen due to its rise?

BK: The most widespread use cases are circumventing censorship in from corporate or governmental filters and criminal activity. The use of the Dark Web allows people to get information that they governments don't want them to see - so that's a great opportunity.  The biggest challenge is probably small crimes which never get investigated due to the costs involved in tracking people who use the
dark web to transact their business.

TMC: What is the most surprising thing about it?

BK: Probably that the U.S. funds its existence...and then spends money trying to fight the crimes that are conducted over it!

TMC: What unique perspective will you share at the event?

BK: I will discuss the concept of blind trust which allows the dark web to exist and how the real threat that people face when utilizing this technology is ignorance to the fact that they actually don't know who controls the network--yet hold a belief that they are being granted anonymity.

This is merely the tip of the iceberg of what to expect from the inaugural event, which I might add was pieced together by industry veterans Alan Meckler and Rich Tehrani. Attendees will plunge to the depths of the Dark Web and back again, I look forward to seeing you there! 




Edited by Stefania Viscusi
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