darknet - is this the future of internet?

DarkNet

Is this the future of Internet?

Meherun Nesa FaruqueMail: mfaruque@bd.imshealth.com

Darknet by Definition•A darknet is a variation on a virtual

private network (VPN) with additional measures in place to ensure that the network and IP addresses of members are not discoverable.

•Such networks are typically decentralized, routing traffic through a wide-spread system of servers, which are often provided by volunteers. The complex routing system makes it difficult to trace communications. 

Darknet - Behind the scene•Onion Routing•Garlic routing

Dark web•The Surface Web or clearnet is the

internet that we know - anything that can be crawled and indexed by a typical search engine like Google, Bing or Yahoo.

•Deep web is the portion of the internet which is not indexed thoroughly.

•Dark web vs Deep web

Darknet – enter into the abyss •TOR•I2P•FAI (Free Anonymous Internet)•FreeNet•ZeroNet

Internet – the white world• Mainly consisting of IP Networking

Infrastructure• On top of IP Networking runs DNS Systems• Root DNS Systems controlled by ICANN

Committee/IANA• Changing in the Root DNS Systems requires

permission from US Department of Commerce• At the end the white world is controlled by the

governments of one or more countries• Most of the countries have central system to

control what users are allowed to view

Where the worlds converge•Technically there is no converging point•Darknet is not accessible from within Internet;

although an internet connectivity is required as access to those services are based connectivity to another darknet node

•Clearnet/Internet is available from certain part of Darknet using different Proxy technologies

•Once someone is in the darknet all her/is digital footprint is covered up with untraceable information

Comparative Analysis - Domain Naming•Internet/Clearnet uses ICANN controlled

DNS system to map hostname to IP address and vice versa

•Darknet uses a floating database of unique base64 addresses of the nodes mapping to human readable URLs within darknet

Comparative Analysis - Mail•While using internet/Clearnet it is quite

impossible to remain unidentified while sending a mail

•In darknet it is quiet easily possible to send a mail anonymously without revealing IP addresses/ISP/Locations

Comparative Analysis – e-Commerce•In internet we use different means of

electronic transactions like Credit Card/Paypal or other electronic means which takes place through a Bank leaving behind a footprint either in the consumers bank or in Sellers Bank

•In darknet bitcoin or other cryptography based money is being used to keep the digital footprint anonymous

why online privacy is a myth now?•Make no mistake about it – the web is

listening every time you use it! It’s important that you understand what you’re leaving behind when you visit a website.

Footprints on Internet•Every day, whether we want to or not,

most of us contribute to a growing portrait of who we are online; a portrait that is probably more public than we assume.

•Websites And Online Shopping•Social Media.•Mobile Phones, Tablets, or Laptops

Footprints on Internet•Big data analysis projects•Customized profiles•Government censorships\sniffers

Footprint on Darknet•Primarily none•There is always risk if sites of clearnet is

used without caution from darknet•Password, credentials, social security

numbers from clearnet is used as identification inside Darknet

Darknet Contents•Darknet is primarily infamous for

▫Arms Dealing▫Child Porn▫Drugs Dealing▫Mercenary/Assassin on hire

Darknet Contents•The other side of the coin:

▫Whistle blowers▫Revolutionaries ▫Hacktivist

Is Darknet is the new internet?•The increasing concern about privacy and

all our communication being always tracked, growing number of population are interested in being anonymous.

•The power of anonymity brings people from various interest to the opaque market of lawless Darknet.

Summery•Internet or the clearnet being under

censorship and scrutiny is violating the privacy rights of people but still provides the security of government agencies against the criminals. On the other hand despite being the last resort for free thinkers , political activists and whistle blowers, it is a safe heaven for illegal markets.

Questions