Dark Net

• 13 Jul 2024

Source: TOI

Recently, the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET-UG) and University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) exam paper leaks on the dark web before the exam have sparked nationwide protests and concerns. 

• Dark Net:
  • The dark net is a concealed section of the internet that regular search engines do not index. It can only be accessed using specialised browsers such as Tor (The Onion Router).
  • It was initially developed to facilitate secure, anonymous communication, primarily for government and military use. 
    • However, it has recently become associated with criminal activities such as the sale of illegal weapons and drugs.
  • Conversations on the dark net are heavily encrypted, leaving no trace of communication between sender and receiver, ensuring high anonymity for users.
• Indian law does not penalize the use or access of the Dark Net, as accessing it is legal in India. However, using it for illegal purposes is punishable under the law.
• Malware Risk on Dark Net:
  
  • Malware flourishes on the dark net, where it is actively traded on certain platforms, providing cybercriminals with tools for launching cyberattacks. 
    • Similarly, it lurks on dark net sites, poised to infect unsuspecting users, much like it does on the surface web.
  • Dark net users often encounter keyloggers, botnet malware, ransomware, and phishing malware among the various types of malicious software available.

Read More: NEET and UGC Leak Controversy, Dark Net