Far-Right Extremist Use Of Bitcoin And Dark Web Platforms: The Dark Network Links Of TPP Cases
Green highlighted cells are the highest values in the respective column. According to Table 2, the top three research funders in this list are the National Science Foundation from the United States, the European Commission from Belgium, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science from Japan. Six of the top ten funding agencies are from the United States, and one is from China. Using bibliometrics and PRISMA in a single research framework aims to capture a more comprehensive view of the Darkweb research landscape [50]. While PRISMA ensures the inclusion of high-quality, relevant studies through its systematic review guidelines, bibliometrics offers quantifiable metrics on the broader Influence of publications, citations, and thematic clusters within the research domain.
Some recent research on uncovering the characteristics of Darkweb sites reveals that law enforcement agencies are constantly challenged in identifying signals of potential threats for attacks or data breaches within the Darkweb. Addressing this issue, researchers [7] have successfully demonstrated the use of LDA (Latent Dirichlet Allocation) and a non-parametric HMM (Hidden Markov Model) to spot anomalous behaviors. Their techniques identified popular discussion topics in the Darkweb and diagnosed a state transition or change in topics bound to happen around any unique event. Going beyond the topics of interest, the need to identify perpetrators directly benefits law enforcement. While authorship identification using Artificial intelligence techniques has been explored in the literature, this has yet to be attempted for Darkweb. These objectives have been addressed by building authorship verification and identification datasets and exposing the challenges of using NLP techniques [8].
Understanding Bitcoins Dark Web
The term bitcoins dark web refers to the use of Bitcoin as a primary currency for transactions that occur on the dark web. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet, not indexed by traditional search engines, that requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. Here, numerous illegal activities take place, including drug trafficking, weapons sales, and other illicit services.
We first came to know about the term darknet in the 1970s and this was a term used to denote private networks which had a high level of privacy. This seemingly surreptitious part of the internet, at first, was innocuous and halcyon. You also usually need to pay with bitcoin and I have never rrally understood it or how it even works conversion wise or if the “worth” can degrade like stocks (I thought people lost money on bitcoin but idk).
Risk Based Security reports that Besa has “a unique way of putting users who apply to be a hitman-for-hire to the test by asking them to perform a criminal task.” That task generally involves an activity such as stealing a car and setting it on fire. Videos on Youtube provide the evidence, along with a personalized message. According to officials of the Department of Narcotics Control, LSD and DOB are synthetic drugs made in labs. These drugs affect the mind, sometime creating extremely frightening experiences.
Why is Bitcoin Used on the Dark Web?
Drilling down a bit, Crystal estimated that crypto exchanges are among the targets and recipients of bitcoin sent from dark net actors. Exchanges without verification requirements are among those receiving the most amount of bitcoin, at about 45 percent of the tally. With Elliptic, organizations can rest assured that they’re meeting important AML compliance requirements and keeping bitcoin (and other crypto assets) out of the hands of criminals. Learn more about how Elliptic can help drive the legitimacy of bitcoin forward in a meaningful way through cryptocurrency forensics. Globally, AML enforcement, when it comes to cryptocurrency transactions, varies widely – from relatively strict regulations in the UK, Netherlands, and much of Europe to practically non-existent enforcement in other countries. In June, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) issued a global requirement for cryptocurrency-related businesses to collect and share customer identities for each transaction, known as the Travel Rule.
Several reasons make Bitcoin the currency of choice for transactions on the dark web:
- Anonymity: Bitcoin transactions can provide a degree of privacy, obscuring the identities of both buyers and sellers.
- Decentralization: Being a decentralized currency, Bitcoin is not controlled by any government or financial institution, making it appealing for illicit activities.
- Facilitating International Transactions: Bitcoin allows for easy cross-border transactions without currency conversion fees.
Based on our months of research and years of dark web monitoring experience, we have identified five main reasons dark web and cybercrime markets are booming. As the popularity of the dark web grew, it became increasingly easy to log into the dark corner of the internet to buy and sell drugs, fake documents, ammunitions, child pornography and other varieties of illegal goods. The websites or platforms where such trades occur are what we call dark web marketplaces. The Darkweb and SDG 16 have an inverse relationship, as the former undermines the latter.
The ‘Surface Web’ is composed of regular websites that are indexed and searched with standard search engines. This is comprised of websites that are not indexed by any search engines. In other words, a standard search engine will not access the content of 96% of the Internet – as with an iceberg, most of the content is hidden below the surface, on un-indexed websites. When you browse the Internet, you are really just floating on the surface. Underneath the surface, trillions of pages exist that the search engines never see.
The Mechanics of Bitcoins Dark Web
Transactions on the dark web typically follow a structured process:
- Accessing the Dark Web: Users download specific browsers, such as Tor, to access hidden sites.
- Finding Marketplaces: Users locate online marketplaces that accept Bitcoin for various illegal goods and services.
- Creating Wallets: Before making purchases, users need a secure digital wallet to store their bitcoins.
- Conducting Transactions: Buyers make payments using cryptographic keys, which add layers of security, facilitating the transaction.
Risks Associated with Using Bitcoin on the Dark Web
Engaging in transactions involving bitcoins dark web presents various risks:
- Legal Risks: Users may face legal repercussions if caught participating in illegal activities.
- Scams: The dark web is fraught with fraudulent vendors, leading to potential financial loss.
- Security Threats: The digital wallets used may be targeted by hackers, risking the loss of funds.
FAQs about Bitcoins Dark Web
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a portion of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires specific software to access, often associated with illegal activities.
Why is Bitcoin the preferred currency on the dark web?
Bitcoin’s anonymity, decentralization, and ease of cross-border transactions make it an ideal currency for dark web transactions.
Are all transactions on the dark web illegal?
- Back when no one know what to pay for Bitcoin or had begun widely using it as a currency, it got an early jump start as a means to pay for illegal goods such as drugs, firearms, or explosives.
- It’s here that they can finally convert it into local fiat and use it to purchase luxury or other high-end items such as sports cars or upscale homes.
- McAfee provides everyday internet users with the tools they need to surf safely and confidently.
While many transactions are illegal, there can also be legitimate activities happening on the dark web.
Can Bitcoin transactions be traced?
While Bitcoin offers more anonymity than traditional currencies, transactions can still be traced via the blockchain ledger, albeit with more difficulty.
In conclusion, the intersection of bitcoins dark web highlights the complexities of digital currencies in illicit activities, emphasizing the importance of understanding both the technology and the legal implications associated with its use.
