WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.200 All right, let's do this. You guys requested this one alatady. 2 00:00:03.799 --> 00:00:06.799 Today we're diving into tour and the dark web. 3 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:09.199 Ooh yeah, this should be a fun one. 4 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:11.400 It's a little scary, to be honest, but it's one 5 00:00:11.400 --> 00:00:13.039 of those Internet things everyone's heard. 6 00:00:12.919 --> 00:00:15.439 Of, right, It's like one of those urban legends exactly. 7 00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:19.480 So let's like uncover the myth. We've got some great sources, 8 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:23.320 a beginner's guide to tour, descriptions of the deep Web 9 00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:27.640 and darknet. Oh, and even some lists of actual dark websites. 10 00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:29.320 Wow, real dark website. 11 00:00:29.440 --> 00:00:31.480 Yeah. So maybe a little scary after all. 12 00:00:31.559 --> 00:00:35.320 Oh maybe. But seriously, though, there's a lot of confusion 13 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:36.759 about what tour even. 14 00:00:36.679 --> 00:00:39.359 Is, right, like, is it good bad? 15 00:00:39.560 --> 00:00:42.240 Well, our sources make it clear that it's not inherently either. 16 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:45.200 It's just technology. Think of it like a really really 17 00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:46.840 good lock on your digital door. 18 00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:48.920 Okay, a lock so anyone. 19 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:53.520 Can use it exactly. And that's where things get well complicated. 20 00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:55.880 Because like some people use locks to protect their homes, yeah, 21 00:00:55.920 --> 00:00:58.479 and other people use them to you know, hide legal 22 00:00:58.520 --> 00:00:59.759 stuff exactly. 23 00:01:00.159 --> 00:01:02.399 With tor we see both sides of that coin. You've 24 00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:06.040 got journalists in oppressive regimes using it to communicate safely 25 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:09.719 whistleblowers exposing corruption without getting caught. 26 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:12.280 Okay, I'm starting to see the lock analogy. So the 27 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:15.680 lock itself isn't good or bad, it's how people use. 28 00:01:15.560 --> 00:01:18.959 It, right, and our sources really highlight that duality. 29 00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:21.000 Okay, so before we get into all the ways people 30 00:01:21.079 --> 00:01:23.599 use TOR, let's actually break down what it is and 31 00:01:23.640 --> 00:01:26.640 how it works. Sure, our source calls it the onion router, 32 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:28.719 which I don't know about you, but that makes me 33 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:29.239 think of food. 34 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:31.840 Uh huh, yeah, not quite the right image here, right, 35 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:34.879 think of an onion. But instead of layers of well onion, 36 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:38.400 it has layers of encryption. And those layers they hide 37 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:39.280 your Internet traffic. 38 00:01:39.400 --> 00:01:41.359 Okay, so each layer is like a disguise. 39 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:44.239 Yeah. So it makes it almost impossible to trace your 40 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:45.159 activity back to you. 41 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:48.480 Okay, I'm intrigued, But how does that actually work? Is 42 00:01:48.480 --> 00:01:48.959 it magic? 43 00:01:49.239 --> 00:01:49.719 Ha huh? 44 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:49.840 No? 45 00:01:50.319 --> 00:01:54.799 Well sort of, but seriously, it's clever engineering. Imagine a 46 00:01:54.840 --> 00:01:58.439 relay race. Your data, instead of being sent directly to 47 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:01.239 the website you're visiting, goes through these relay stations. 48 00:02:01.280 --> 00:02:01.959 Relay stations. 49 00:02:02.200 --> 00:02:06.120 Yeah, they're called nodes, and there are three of them, Entry, Middle, 50 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:07.200 and exit three. 51 00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:09.400 So my data is just bouncing all over the place. 52 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:12.360 Yeah, and here's the key. Each node it only knows 53 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:14.800 where the data came from before it and where it's 54 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:15.400 going next. 55 00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:19.599 Okay, so no single node knows the full path exactly. 56 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:22.560 So someone trying to track you, they hit a dead 57 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:25.120 end at each node. They can't see the whole picture. 58 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:28.520 Wow. Okay, that's actually pretty cool. So it's like my 59 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:31.960 data is passing a secret message along and each person 60 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:33.680 only knows their little part exactly. 61 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:36.400 That's why it's called onion routing. You'd have to peel 62 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:38.520 back all those layers to get to the core, and 63 00:02:38.599 --> 00:02:40.879 even then you still might not know where it came 64 00:02:40.919 --> 00:02:41.599 from originally. 65 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:44.080 Okay, so I think I'm getting tour now. It's this 66 00:02:44.599 --> 00:02:47.639 super secure way to browse the Internet anonymously. 67 00:02:47.800 --> 00:02:48.400 You got it. 68 00:02:48.919 --> 00:02:51.400 But what are we actually accessing with this onion routing? 69 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:54.120 That's where the deep web and dark web come. 70 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:56.439 In, right, you got it? Now it gets interesting, Hit 71 00:02:56.479 --> 00:02:58.960 me with it. Our source uses this iceberg analogy. 72 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:01.000 I love it, okay, picturing an iceberg. 73 00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:03.879 So the tick the part everyone sees above the water, 74 00:03:03.960 --> 00:03:05.039 that's the surface web. 75 00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:08.039 Okay, So like Google, Facebook, Amazon, all that. 76 00:03:08.199 --> 00:03:10.439 Yep, all the stuff you can find with a regular 77 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:13.159 search engine. Now below the surface, that's where the deep 78 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:13.800 web starts. 79 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:15.039 Okay, so what's down there? 80 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:17.879 It's all the content that's not indexed by those regular 81 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:18.560 search engines. 82 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:21.840 Okay, so like what give me examples. 83 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:24.759 Think about your online banking You can't just google your 84 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:27.520 account balance, right, that's because it's on the deep web. 85 00:03:28.319 --> 00:03:33.080 Same with things like a company's internal network or government databases. 86 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:37.080 Our source actually mentions a really specific one, the Denver 87 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:39.400 Property Assessment and Taxation system. 88 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:42.840 Okay, so I'm seeing that the deep web isn't automatically 89 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:43.240 bad or. 90 00:03:43.240 --> 00:03:46.240 Anything, right, It's just not hidden. You usually need special 91 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:49.439 credentials to access it, like a password or a subscription. 92 00:03:49.599 --> 00:03:52.240 Okay. I think I'm starting to get it. Deep web 93 00:03:53.199 --> 00:03:57.360 hidden but not necessarily bad. But then we have the 94 00:03:57.439 --> 00:03:58.039 dark web. 95 00:03:58.319 --> 00:03:59.120 Now we're going deeper. 96 00:03:59.240 --> 00:04:00.240 So what makes it dark. 97 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:02.599 It's a smaller part of the deep web, but it's 98 00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:05.879 intentionally hidden, like way down at the bottom of that iceberg, 99 00:04:06.039 --> 00:04:08.560 and you need special software to even get there, like 100 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:12.479 tour exactly. Tour is like the key that unlocks the 101 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:13.520 door to the dark web. 102 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:16.399 Okay, and this is where we find the scary stuff. 103 00:04:16.519 --> 00:04:21.240 Yeah, unfortunately. Remember those dark website lists we have. Yeah, 104 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:25.879 they mentioned things like marketplaces for drugs, weapons, stolen data, 105 00:04:26.160 --> 00:04:29.079 even stuff like hitman services and child pornography. 106 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:33.800 Whoa, Okay, yeah that took a dark turn, like seriously dark. 107 00:04:33.920 --> 00:04:36.519 It's heavy stuff and it definitely gives the dark web 108 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:38.160 a bad reputation for sure. 109 00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:41.879 So who are the people using tour to access all 110 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:45.240 of this? Is it just like criminals and hoodies in 111 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:46.000 dark rooms? 112 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:48.839 Uh huh not at all. Our sources actually paint a 113 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:53.319 much more diverse picture. Think about Edward Snowden, the NSA guy. Yeah, 114 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:56.439 he used tour to leak all that classified information right right. 115 00:04:56.319 --> 00:04:59.879 So door can be used for whistleblowing exposing corruption exactly. 116 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:03.519 And think about activists during the Arab Spring uprisings. They 117 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:07.319 use tour to organize protests without being tracked by their governments. 118 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:10.920 Wow, okay, so tour can be used for fighting for freedom, 119 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:12.160 exposing the truth. 120 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:13.199 That's powerful stuff. 121 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:15.759 I've seen that tour can be a tool for like 122 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:19.079 real good. But obviously there's that dark side too, right. 123 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:22.319 And somewhere in the middle you have everyday people who 124 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:24.879 are just concerned about online privacy. 125 00:05:24.399 --> 00:05:28.519 Which, honestly, these days that's a valid concern totally. 126 00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:32.360 They might use tour to avoid being tracked by advertisers, 127 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:35.399 for example, or to access websites that are blocked in 128 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:36.000 their country. 129 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:40.079 So it's almost like tour is a digital shield for 130 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:40.639 some people. 131 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:44.399 It is a way to protect themselves, their identity, their information. 132 00:05:45.399 --> 00:05:47.560 But yeah, you're right, it can also be a mask 133 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:49.360 for the people doing illegal. 134 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:51.319 Things, right, And that's what makes it so complicated, this 135 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:54.759 one tool, tour. It could be used by both sides. 136 00:05:54.839 --> 00:05:56.879 It's the duality of technology, I guess. 137 00:05:57.000 --> 00:06:00.839 Speaking of which, we have those specific examples of dark websites. 138 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:03.879 Some of them are not what I expected, Like the 139 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:06.439 chess it's for anonymous chess games. 140 00:06:06.839 --> 00:06:09.839 Yeah, it's not all about illegal activity on the dark web. 141 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:12.639 Some people simply value their anonymity, even for something as 142 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:13.439 simple as a game. 143 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:15.480 I kind of get that, Like you're not worried about 144 00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:16.600 your opponent judging. 145 00:06:16.279 --> 00:06:18.160 You exactly, It levels the playing field. 146 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:22.519 Then we have pro Publica that's a legitimate award winning 147 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:25.160 journalism site. Right, what are they doing on the dark web? 148 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:30.040 Think about how they get their information, whistleblowers, sources risking 149 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:33.000 their lives to expose wrongdoing. 150 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:34.279 Right, they need a safe way to communicate. 151 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:37.439 The dark web gives them that. Our source also mentions 152 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:42.240 secure drop, which is specifically designed for anonymous communication with journalists. 153 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:44.519 So tour in the dark web are actually helping to 154 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:46.120 hold the powerful accountable. 155 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:49.439 It's a powerful tool for transparency and accountability. 156 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:52.759 Wow, I'm really seeing both sides now. Okay, so we've 157 00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:57.360 got anonymous chess secure communication for journalists. What else is 158 00:06:57.399 --> 00:06:58.399 going on in the dark web. 159 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:01.439 Well, there's Grams, which is like the Google of the 160 00:07:01.519 --> 00:07:05.240 dark web. It's a search engine specifically for finding dark websites. 161 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:08.519 So even the dark web has its own Google wild Right. 162 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:10.639 It shows you that this isn't just a random collection 163 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:13.600 of sites. There's infrastructure, there, a whole system. 164 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:15.920 It's like a hidden world running parallel to the Internet. 165 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:18.480 We know absolutely, and that's what makes it so fascinating. 166 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:22.839 Okay, but with all this talk about anonymity and hidden websites, 167 00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:26.879 got asked, is any of this legal? 168 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:27.319 Ah? 169 00:07:27.480 --> 00:07:30.319 The legal question, like, is it illegal to just browse 170 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:31.079 the dark web? 171 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:34.720 That's where things get a bit tricky. Browsing itself, just 172 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:37.600 looking around that's not illegal in most places. 173 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:40.800 So I can satisfy my curiosity without getting arrested. 174 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:46.360 Probably, However, accessing or engaging with illegal content that's definitely 175 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:47.199 against the law. 176 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:49.279 So like, I can look at the menu, but I 177 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:50.279 shouldn't order anything. 178 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:51.920 Yeah, a good way to put it. You're walking through 179 00:07:51.959 --> 00:07:55.120 a dangerous neighborhood. You can look around, but maybe don't 180 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:56.199 go down any dark alleys. 181 00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:59.199 Okay, good advice. But even if I'm just browsing, there 182 00:07:59.240 --> 00:07:59.920 are still risks. 183 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:03.759 Right, law enforcement agencies they are monitoring the dark web. 184 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:05.600 So anonymity isn't foolproof. 185 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:09.680 It's not. Plus there's malware, scams, all those digital dangers 186 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:10.639 lurking in the shadows. 187 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:12.600 It sounds like you got to be extra cautious when 188 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:15.120 venturing into the dark web. But before we get into 189 00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:17.680 all the safety tips, let's actually dig into some of 190 00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:20.160 the things you might find there, both the good and 191 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:22.720 the bad. Like what's really going on in those dark 192 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:23.920 web marketplaces? 193 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:25.560 All right, you ready to go deeper? 194 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:30.879 Let's do it. I'm a little scared but also really curious. 195 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:33.480 That's the spirit. It really is a mixed bag. You've 196 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:36.480 got those dark corners, for sure, but then you also 197 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:39.919 find things that are well, surprisingly. 198 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:41.960 Normal, normal like cat videos. 199 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:48.279 Huh, maybe not that normal, but think private forums and chat. 200 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:50.600 Rooms okay, like anonymous message boards. 201 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:53.399 Yeah, exactly. It's kind of like an anonymous version of Reddit. 202 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:57.399 People can discuss anything they want without revealing their identities. 203 00:08:57.519 --> 00:08:59.879 I see. So it's like a digital masquerade ball. Yeah, 204 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:01.200 everyone's hiding behind a. 205 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:05.039 Mask, exactly, and that can lead to some really interesting conversations. 206 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:09.120 You have people discussing politics, philosophy, art, everyday life. 207 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:11.519 So it's not just about illegal activities. 208 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:13.639 Right, There's a whole social aspect to the dark web 209 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:16.879 that often gets overlooked. People craving that sense of freedom 210 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:19.559 and anonymity that you just don't get on the regular Internet. 211 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:23.039 And I imagine that's especially appealing for people in countries 212 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:24.759 with strict Internet censorship. 213 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:28.440 Absolutely, the dark web can be a lifeline for them, 214 00:09:28.679 --> 00:09:31.519 a way to connect with the outside world access information 215 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:32.799 that's otherwise blocked. 216 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:35.320 So it's a tool for freedom of speech in a way. 217 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:38.120 You could say that it gives a voice to those 218 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:39.759 who might otherwise be silenced. 219 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:45.120 Okay, so we've got forums, chat rooms, anything else surprising 220 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:46.320 going on in those depths. 221 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:49.399 Well, believe it or not, there are even academic journals 222 00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:50.159 on the dark web. 223 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:52.799 Wait, really, academic journals? Why would those be on the 224 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:53.279 dark Web? 225 00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:56.960 A few reasons. Actually, Sometimes it's about protecting the authors 226 00:09:57.279 --> 00:10:01.360 or the research itself. Imagine your stuf having a controversial topic, 227 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:03.480 maybe in a country where that research could get you. 228 00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:05.120 In trouble, right, makes sense. 229 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:08.440 The dark web offers a layer of protection, a way 230 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:11.000 to publish your findings without fear of reprisal. 231 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:13.639 Okay, that makes sense. So it's like a digital safe 232 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:15.600 house for knowledge that might otherwise. 233 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:18.480 Be suppressed exactly. And then sometimes it's just about reaching 234 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:23.440 a wider audience. Not everyone has access to expensive academic databases, 235 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:27.399 but the dark web, anyone with the know how can 236 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:27.879 get there. 237 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:31.679 Huh. So it's like democratizing knowledge in a way, making 238 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:33.679 it accessible to people who might not have had the 239 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:34.720 opportunity otherwise. 240 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:39.480 Exactly. It challenges the traditional gatekeepers of information and creates 241 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:43.559 new possibilities for sharing knowledge. It's quite fascinating when you 242 00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:44.320 think about it. 243 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:46.879 It is. It's like flipping the script on the whole 244 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:48.159 academic publishing. 245 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:48.759 World in a way. 246 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:53.000 Yeah, okay, so we've got forums, chat rooms, academic journals. 247 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:55.480 I'm seeing that the dark web's more diverse than I 248 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:56.159 initially thought. 249 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:59.240 Oh yeah, it's a whole world down there. Oh and 250 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:01.440 remember that dark web chess site we mentioned earlier. 251 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:04.399 Yeah, the chess right, for anonymous chess games, that's the one. 252 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:07.639 It's a great example of how anonymity can actually enhance 253 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:08.759 certain experiences. 254 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:10.120 Okay, explain that one to me. 255 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:12.679 Think about it. When you play chess online, you usually 256 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:15.240 have a rating, a profile, all that stuff. People can 257 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:17.120 judge you based on your past performance. 258 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:19.759 True. True, it can be intimidating. 259 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:23.039 Right, But on the chess none of that matters. It's 260 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:27.240 just you, your opponent and the game itself, no distractions. 261 00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:30.200 I actually kind of love that, pure strategy, pure competition. 262 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:32.440 Right, it's a playing chess in the park with a 263 00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:33.360 complete stranger. 264 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:35.759 You can just focus on the game itself without all 265 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:37.159 the other baggage exactly. 266 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:41.120 It's a fascinating example of how anonymity can create a 267 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:44.600 more level playing field and even enhance certain experiences. 268 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:47.600 Wow, okay, I'm having to rethink some of my preconceptions 269 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:48.399 about the dark Web. 270 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:52.840 It's not all bad, definitely not. There are corners of creativity, community, 271 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:54.879 even intellectual pursuit down there. 272 00:11:54.960 --> 00:11:57.200 Well, let's be real, we can't ignore the elephant in 273 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:59.960 the room. The dark web has a seriously dark side. 274 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:02.480 Of course, we have to acknowledge that. 275 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:05.600 Those online marketplaces we've talked about, the ones our sources described, 276 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:06.759 they sound kind of terrifying. 277 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:09.879 Yeah, they can be. It's basically a digital black market. 278 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:12.759 So what exactly is being bought and sold in these 279 00:12:12.840 --> 00:12:14.200 dark web marketplaces. 280 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:17.960 It's a long list, and a lot of it's pretty unsettling. Drugs, weapons, 281 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:23.120 stolen data, counterfeit documents, hacking tools, even malware and ransomware. 282 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:26.639 So basically, anything illegal or difficult to obtain in the 283 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:29.279 real world, you can probably find it on the dark web. 284 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:34.000 Unfortunately, yes, and the anonymity that tour provides, well, it 285 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:37.440 makes it incredibly difficult for law enforcement to track down 286 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:39.399 the seller shut down these marketplaces. 287 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:41.440 It sounds like a constant game of whack a mole. 288 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:43.720 That's a good way to put it. They shut down 289 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:46.159 one site, another one pops up in its place, and 290 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:49.600 these marketplaces they're getting more sophisticated all the time. They 291 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:54.120 have escro services, customer reviews, even loyalty programs, just like 292 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:56.200 legitimate online businesses. 293 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:58.919 It's like they've created a parallel economy in the shadows 294 00:12:59.120 --> 00:12:59.519 they have. 295 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:01.720 That's a big part of what makes the dark web 296 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:04.919 so fascinating and so disturbing at the same time. It's 297 00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:07.759 a reflection of our own world, with all its complexities 298 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:08.720 and contradictions. 299 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:13.120 So what are some examples of these notorious dark web marketplaces? 300 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.279 Our source mentioned a few. 301 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:16.679 Well, one of the most well known is silk Road. 302 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:19.720 It was shut down by the FBI back in twenty thirteen, 303 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:21.639 but for a while it was the place to go 304 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:24.519 for illegal goods, online drugs, weapons. 305 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:28.879 You name it, silk Road. This sounds almost romantic until 306 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:31.200 you remember what was actually being sold there. 307 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:33.840 Right, It's a good reminder that appearances can be deceiving, 308 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:35.559 especially on the dark Web. 309 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:38.320 So Silk Road's gone, but I'm guessing there. 310 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:42.919 Are others, oh countless others, and they're constantly evolving, adapting 311 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.120 to avoid detection. 312 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:47.120 It's kind of scary how organized it all seems. 313 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:49.399 It is. It shows you that this isn't just a 314 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:54.000 few random individuals dabbling in illegal activities. This is organized 315 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:55.919 crime operating on a global scale. 316 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:59.960 Okay, so we've got marketplaces, illegal goods, what are the 317 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:02.440 what kinds of illegal activities are happening on the dark web. 318 00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:05.879 Well, cybercrime is a big one. Hackers use the dark 319 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:10.039 web to buy and sell stolen data, hacking tools, malware. 320 00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:12.559 They can even hire other hackers to carry out attax 321 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:12.960 for them. 322 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:15.600 It's like a digital underworld, it is, and it's. 323 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:18.039 A growing threat. Think about all those ransomware attacks that 324 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:21.399 have been happening lately, crippling businesses and even government agencies. 325 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:24.279 A lot of that activity originates on the dark web. 326 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:26.600 Ransomware that's where they lock up your files and demand 327 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:28.960 payment to unlock them exactly. 328 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:32.399 It's digital extortion and it's a very lucrative business for 329 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:35.840 cyber criminals. The dark web provides them with a platform 330 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:38.879 to develop and distribute their malware, as well as to 331 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:41.120 launder the money they extort from their victims. 332 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:44.080 It's like a whole criminal ecosystem, it is. 333 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:47.039 Yeah, and it's becoming more and more sophisticated all the time. 334 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:53.519 Okay, so we've covered marketplaces cybercrime. There's one more dark 335 00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:55.039 corner of the dark web. I want to touch on 336 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:57.360 our source Mangins Hitman services. 337 00:14:57.559 --> 00:15:00.679 Ah. Yes, that's definitely one of the more disturbed aspects 338 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:02.360 of the dark web. It's hard to say how much 339 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:04.440 of it is real and how much is just a scam? 340 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:07.200 I mean, would someone really try to hire a hitman 341 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:08.240 through the dark web? 342 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:11.720 There have been cases, yes, Whether these services are legitimate 343 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:14.240 or just elaborate scams, it's hard to say for sure, 344 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:17.480 but the fact that they exist at all is pretty chilling. 345 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:20.320 Definitely chilling. Okay, okay, We've covered a lot of ground here, 346 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:23.559 the good, the bad, the downright terrifying. But before we 347 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:25.399 wrap up, let's talk about safety. 348 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:27.120 Yes, super important. 349 00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:30.159 If someone's listening to this and thinking, hmm, maybe I 350 00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:32.480 want to check out this dark web thing, what should 351 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.240 they keep in mind? 352 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.960 First of all, you have to go in with a 353 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:38.399 clear understanding of the risks. It's a bit like exploring 354 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:42.360 a dense jungle. It's fascinating, but it can also be 355 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:43.919 dangerous if you're not careful. 356 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:45.200 So what kind of dangerous? 357 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:49.039 Well, obviously, there's the risk of encountering illegal content, which 358 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:50.960 could get you in trouble with the law, even if 359 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:51.960 you're just looking. 360 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:55.320 Got it, so be careful what you click on exactly. 361 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:59.519 But there are also more insidious threats like malware and 362 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:00.600 fishing scams. 363 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:02.720 Malware that's like a computer virus. 364 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:05.720 Right exactly, it can infect your computers, steal your data, 365 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:09.000 all sorts of nasty stuff and phishing scams. Those are 366 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:11.879 designed to trick you into giving up your personal information, 367 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:14.039 like your passwords or credit card details. 368 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:16.559 Okay, So how do I protect myself from all of that? 369 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:20.159 First and foremost, never reveal any personal information on the 370 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:23.919 dark web, not your real name, your address, your phone number, 371 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:26.159 anything that could be used to identify you. 372 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:29.919 So stay anonymous even when I'm interacting with others on the. 373 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:33.360 Dark web exactly. Think of it like wearing a digital mask. 374 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:37.200 And make sure you're using strong, unique passwords for all 375 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:40.000 your accounts. Don't reuse passwords. 376 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:43.000 Got it? What else? Security software is essential. Make sure 377 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:45.759 you have a good anti virus and anti malware program 378 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:49.039 installed and kept updated. And consider using a VPN in 379 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:51.679 conjunction with tour for an extra layer of protection. 380 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:56.039 Okay, VPN plus tour, got it? Now? What about those 381 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:58.440 dark web marketplaces? Should I even be browsing those? 382 00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:01.080 Honestly, unless you have a good reason to be there, 383 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:04.440 I'd avoid them altogether. They're inherently risky and you could 384 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:07.240 easily stumble across something illegal even if you're not looking 385 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:07.640 for it. 386 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:09.279 So it's best to err on the side of caution. 387 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:12.519 Absolutely, the dark web is a fascinating place, but it's 388 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:15.519 also a dangerous one. If you do decide to explore it, 389 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:18.279 do it with a clear understanding of the risks and 390 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:20.680 take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. 391 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:24.759 Great advice. Okay, I think we've covered just about everything here. 392 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:27.039 Any final thoughts before we wrap up. 393 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:30.839 The dark web is a complex and ever evolving ecosystem. 394 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:33.440 It's a microcosm of our own world, with all its 395 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:36.559 light and shadow. It's a reminder that the Internet is 396 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:39.759 not always a safe and friendly place, but it's also 397 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:44.680 a testament to human ingenuity and the enduring allure of anonymity. 398 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:47.920 Well said, and for you listening, I hope this deep 399 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:50.440 dive has given you a better understanding of this hidden 400 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:54.200 part of the Internet. Remember, knowledge is power, and the 401 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:57.079