In the increasingly digital age, we have heard the name ‘Dark Web’ at some point. On the surface, it seems like some kind of internet, but this matter is not that simple, especially when we think about it from the perspective of national security; its seriousness becomes more apparent.
In simple terms, the ‘dark web’ is a part of the internet that requires specialised software to be visible. For that, ‘browsers’ differ as well. For example, the Tor browser. When we use the internet, we have an IP address, which stands for Internet Protocol address. Through it, we can later determine which device was used and where. In short, if the security services investigate, our internet can provide them with all our information. But the ‘dark web’ is an exception. If we use the ‘dark web’, a user’s address cannot be easily found. The dark web is used all over the world to deliberately and secretly carry out transactions and engage in illegal trade. Drugs, communication for illegal smuggling, illegal weapons, and prostitution, even everything that ordinary civilised people consider forbidden in society, is available on this dark web for trading. One component of the ‘deep web’ is the dark web. Simply put, the dark web, as the name suggests, operates in darkness or secrecy around the world.
The serious matter is that this ‘dark web’ is being used by terrorist organisations, and they have started providing training for it. Various terrorist organisations are not only spreading their fundamentalist violent philosophies, planning their violent actions, recruiting new members, getting donations, but are also providing their members with knowledge of making explosives.
On the border of Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) had even released a brochure called ‘How to survive in the West – A Mujaheed Guide’. It contains information about internet privacy and the use of Tor. ‘Al Hayat’ is their media house, through which instructions on the use of the dark web are systematically disseminated to many. Information is given about chat rooms, messengers, Twitter, blogs, videos, Facebook, MySpace, Instagram, and YouTube. The Islamic State had trained its members on what to do to keep them safe from government surveillance. Apps like Silent Circle, Red Phone, Signal, Telegram, Virk, and Threema were also deemed safe, while WeChat, WhatsApp, Hike, and Viber were deemed unsafe. This shows how seriously terrorist organisations take their activities. And we ordinary citizens never even think about these things! This is a reality!
Terrorist organisations have raised a lot of money using the dark web. For example, Islamic State Khorasan Province – ISKP had appealed to its supporters in its magazine – ‘Voice of Khorasan’ to help financially using ‘crypto currency’. For this, a currency like ‘Monero’ should be used through the dark web. That is, transactions can be done without the knowledge of the security forces. This shows how easily terrorist organisations raise money.
Another example is that, between 2020 and 2023, Hamas reportedly received $41 million and Palestinian Islamic Jihad $93 million in cryptocurrency, respectively. And 57 per cent of the Dark Web is occupied by crypto accounts, online banking access, and e-wallets. Tor, Bitcoin, and cryptocurrency have made it possible to work while keeping your identity private. The activities of the Dark Web have been divided into four areas: network security, cybercrime, machine learning, and drug trafficking.
The dark web is also being deliberately spread with extremely violent fundamentalist information. For example, the Turkish language dark web forum – Turkish Dark Web had discussions about weapons production, use of explosives, how to use biological weapons and their effects.
The dark web leads people to fundamentalist ideologies, and discussions continue there. Terrorist organisations are using safe media like the dark web to attract their followers, especially the young generation. ISIS is also using social networks like Diaspora, Russian social networks like Kontakt. ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah are using media like Telegram to recruit new members, get funds, incite violence and plan attacks.
Overall, the misuse of the dark web is for terrorists to communicate with each other and spread false propaganda. It is also used to recruit and train youth into the organisation, to obtain funds for terrorist activities and to conduct financial transactions. This dark web surrounds us to an extent we cannot even imagine. Ordinary citizens are just ‘soft targets’ for these terrorist organisations.
What is even more frightening is that weapons are also bought and sold on the dark web. For example, weapons are sold on online platforms like Euro Gun. Many chemicals and biological agents are also sold illegally. They are used for weapons. This is very dangerous. Also, terrorist handbooks and explosive guides can be bought on websites like ‘Alpha-Bay’. Even more shocking is that ‘fake document services’ are also available, so fake passports and other documents are available.
Moreover, illegal drugs are also available on the dark web. According to the 2023 report of the International Narcotics Control Board, 39 per cent of global drug consumption is in South Asia, and its epicentre is India! When will we Indians become aware?
In all these cases, the most serious issue is A. I. and the Dark Web! ChatGPT provides information on how to make explosives at home, and AI programs like ‘Lavender’ provide information on various methods of warfare. Since all this is so easily available worldwide through the Dark Web, one can imagine how easily a common man can be ‘targeted’. Many terrorists become self-radicalised. They can also be users of the Dark Web.
This challenge of terrorism is a techno-challenge. Overall, terrorist organisations have become techno-savvy. Terrorists are using these techniques easily, but the common man does not even have the slightest idea of them! Overall, terrorist fundamentalist ideology is easily spreading like wildfire across the world with the increase in the use of technology.
The real need is for the unity of citizens. It is our duty as citizens not to support terrorist activities. If anything suspicious is found anywhere, it should be reported to the nearest police station. It is true that sometimes reality is scarier than fiction! The combination of the dark web and terrorism is one of them!
