Why in news?
A software engineer from Kerala was arrested for selling drugs on the dark web and had gained “level‑four vendor” status, highlighting growing cybercrime networks.
What is the dark web?
- The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that cannot be accessed via regular browsers. It exists on overlay networks and is accessible only through anonymising tools such as the Tor browser.
- Sites on the dark web often use the “.onion” domain and route traffic through multiple servers to conceal users’ identities.
How it works
- Anonymity: Tor encrypts traffic and sends it through a series of volunteer‑run relays, making it difficult to trace the origin or destination.
- Decentralisation: The network lacks a central authority, making it resilient to shutdowns but also harder to regulate.
- Marketplaces: Vendors sell illegal goods and services such as narcotics, stolen data, weapons and malware. Transactions often use cryptocurrencies.
“Level‑four vendor” status
- Dark‑web marketplaces rank vendors based on sales volume, customer feedback and transaction history.
- A “level‑four” vendor typically has completed hundreds of successful transactions and earned buyer trust, enabling larger sales.
Risks and challenges
- Facilitates organised crime, money laundering and trafficking by enabling anonymous communications and payments.
- Makes law‑enforcement investigations difficult due to encryption and jurisdictional boundaries.
- Can also provide dissidents, journalists and whistle‑blowers with secure channels in repressive regimes.