The internet has far more data for the public to access than you’d think, and the majority of it is quite shocking…

Data must be stored somewhere in the modern world, as working people we are used to data being stored on hard drives, excel, public databases etc. However, what we see through familiar search engines such as Google and Bing account for just 4% of all web data.

So, what can’t we see?

Firstly, we can see the other 96% if we want, however it requires you to download the Tor Browser Bundle, this is notably like VPN services. This tool makes activities be carried out under a different IP address to where one is situated, i.e. in a different country.

The most obvious searches are for drug markets, data protection between terrorists/pedophiles or for ensuring anonymity.

Still curious?

Some examples of the dark web in mass crime include bets, or bounties set on public icons such as the president and multi-billionaires. According to independent researcher Chris Monteiro, the bounty for the assassination of the last president Barack Obama was (surprisingly) only £11, 000

The Bitcoin currency is growing with the dark web, as millions of people invest in shares of the inflating currency or use it to buy illegal drugs. Sometimes the parcels are intercepted by the postal service, leaving buyers with hefty fines or long-term jail sentences depending on the class of drug.

The most shocking statistic of all is that 80% of Dark Web visits are related directly to Paedophilia, and you may have seen the news recently. Dark web predator Matthew Falder was arrested and sentenced to 32 years in prison for numerous counts of rape, online coercion and blackmail. He was finally caught February this year but had been hidden for so long due to the dark web. He used email encryption linked to Russian email services to maintain his anonymity.

Hopefully this has given you an idea into the mysteries of the unofficial section of the web and has either discouraged you from going down the wrong route. It may have even made you curious to research a little more into this topic. The dark web is one of the most dangerous places to lurk and should only be used for legal purposes and with great caution.

Safe searching!

Written by Harrison Jones

References : https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/internet/dark-web-3593569/ https://www.truthfinder.com/infomania/crime/dark-web-crime/ https://www.wired.com/2014/12/80-percent-dark-web-visits-relate-pedophilia-study-finds/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43114471