Security Humor
At the beginning of September the main admin of another TOR forum disappeared, when he came back he didn’t have access to his own PGP Key and he couldn’t authorize himself. On September 22nd, Berlusconi Market, one of the oldest English language DNM at that time, was seized by Italy Law Enforcement. In November the administrator of Samsara Market, a DNM that appeared a few months before and claimed to be a Dream Market successor, has gone missing. Dream Market was the biggest DNM until March 2019 and almost nobody believed that Samsara is connected to them.
As a matter of fact it turned out being the exact same botnet that an audacious Reddit user of possible German origin named “throwaway236236” described in a very popular I Am A thread you can read here. Place had been active for about twenty minutes when I stopped by, and Wardle was huddled over his laptop, frantically refreshing dozens of tabs. So far, the square was mostly blank, with a few stray dots blinking in and out of existence. But redditors were making plans in the comments and, in true Reddit fashion, clinging to those plans with cultish intensity. The Blue Empire was conspiring to turn the whole square blue; the Red Empire vowed to make it red; already, they were on a war footing. Other groups planned elaborate messages, fractal patterns, and references to various memes.
In January, Facebook announced that it would make news less visible in its users’ feeds. “Facebook was originally designed to connect friends and family—and it has excelled at that,” a product manager named Samidh Chakrabarti wrote on a company blog. “We want to make sure that our products are not just fun, but are good for people,” Mark Zuckerberg told the Times. Direct pronouncements from him are so rare that even this pabulum was treated as push-alert-worthy news. The system has a wide variety of rules and safeguards to prevent it from encouraging illegal activity, providing violent content, and more. But it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a group of users from the social network Reddit have already “jailbroken” the system that skirts those rules.
With more intense pressure from law enforcement, being extorted by other threat actors, and changes in personal circumstances, it’s clear that many dark web market admins and owners feel the risks are too great. It seems the older the market, the more likely these factors account for its closure. Whatever your role in infosec, you probably know by now that dark web marketplaces offer budding and expert hackers various tools, data, credentials, ransomware, and malware for sale, with payment usually made via cryptocurrency. It’s in this underground landscape of shady buyers and sellers where dark web threats often lurk undetected until it’s too late and you suffer a breach. By monitoring known dark web marketplaces, Avast BreachGuard will alert you immediately if and when your data is made available for sale. That way, you can change your passwords and protect your accounts before anyone can use your data against you.
Exploring the Concept of Reddit Dark Web
- “Crawling Reddit, generating value and not returning any of that value to our users is something we have a problem with,” Huffman went on to say.
- Researchers from Recorded Future estimated that while there are more than 55,000 existing onion domains, only 8,400 (or roughly 15%) of these sites were active.
- As of last year, the company was eyeing a $15 billion valuation, Bloomberg reported.
- The setting also restricts those users’ posts from being featured.
“There are areas of opportunity to be more flexible, to give longer transition times,” he said. “For folks who want to have productive conversations with us, we’re here and we’re having those conversations.” “Third party developers, who make these Reddit clients, started sounding the alarm and saying, ‘hey, we’re probably not going to be allowed to continue operating our services at these prices,’” said Bell. The target of the attack was a server located in The Netherlands. We informed and cooperated with the affected organization, which kindly provided us with the list of IP addresses blocked by their firewalls during the ongoing attacks. The targets list appear to be quite standard and probably not manually configured.
The term Reddit Dark Web combines two distinctive realms of online activity: the expansive community of Reddit and the often-misunderstood dark web. Each has its unique features, but the intersection of the two brings about intriguing discussions, risks, and opportunities.
“We have made a new addition to our content policy forbidding transactions for certain goods and services. As of today, users may not use Reddit to solicit or facilitate any transaction or gift involving certain goods and services,” the company wrote. Following the subreddit’s sudden demise, several clone subreddits have now popped up on Reddit, but expect most to disappear once Reddit admins find evidence of users arranging transactions of illegal goods through these new communities. As mentioned above, much of the content on the dark web is the same as you might find on the normal internet (news, message boards, web services) but made accessible on a more anonymous platform. Naturally, this makes the dark web a breeding ground for illegal activity.
She sat there for a minute, struggling, panicking, and screaming for someone to help. At first, I couldn’t tell who they were, but as they turned around to face the camera, my heart sank. My father was holding a knife, while my mother was holding a small scalpel. They paused for a moment, before they started what was the most horrifying 5 minutes of my entire life.
Understanding Reddit
The types of transactions that occur on WeTheNorth are largely illegal and undermine any appearance of legitimacy. More than 6,000 communities on the popular social networking forum Reddit have gone dark as moderators protest the company’s decision to charge some third-party apps for the use of Reddit data. The move is controversial, with many of the apps having to shut down as a result, but the Reddit CEO doesn’t appear to be backing down anytime soon. The Silk Road was an online black market where users could buy and sell illicit goods anonymously. It operated via darknets, anonymous networks that can only be accessed through specialized software like Tor Browser.
Reddit is a social media platform that serves as a conglomerate of forums where users engage in discussions across various topics, often organized into different “subreddits.” Each subreddit focuses on a specific area of interest, allowing users to find communities that resonate with their passions and hobbies.
Defining the Dark Web
The dark web is a part of the larger deep web that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It requires specific software, typically Tor, to access. The dark web is often associated with illicit activities, but it also hosts legitimate uses such as privacy protection and secure communication.
The Intersection of Reddit and the Dark Web
While Reddit itself is not part of the dark web, discussions and threads exploring dark web topics can be found on various subreddits. Here are some ways in which they intersect:
- Information Exchange: Users share insights on accessing the dark web, including recommended sites and best practices for privacy.
- Safety Tips: Redditors often post about their experiences on the dark web, offering guidance on how to navigate it safely.
- Debates on Ethics: Ethical discussions about what should be allowed on the dark web often begin on Reddit, fostering diverse viewpoints.
Popular Subreddits on Dark Web Topics
Some subreddits frequently discuss or provide information about the dark web. Here are a few notable ones:
- r/darknet: This subreddit works as a community for sharing resources, experiences, and news concerning the dark web.
- r/techsupport: Users can seek help for technical issues related to accessing the dark web.
- r/NoStupidQuestions: Members often ask unfamiliar questions regarding the dark web without judgment.
Risks Associated with the Reddit Dark Web
While exploring the Reddit Dark Web, users must remain vigilant about various risks:
- Scams: There are many opportunities for scams, both on Reddit discussions and within the dark web itself.
- Legal Consequences: Engaging in illegal activities or purchasing illegal goods can have serious repercussions.
- Privacy Issues: Users may inadvertently expose themselves through careless sharing of personal information.
FAQs About Reddit and the Dark Web
1. Can I access the dark web through Reddit?
No, Reddit is not part of the dark web, but discussions about the dark web can be found on some of its subreddits.
2. Is the dark web dangerous?
The dark web can pose risks, including exposure to scams and illegal activities, but it also offers a space for privacy and secure communication.
3. How can I stay safe while discussing dark web topics on Reddit?
Be cautious with your information, avoid sharing personal details, and consider using a VPN for extra privacy when engaging in discussions about the dark web.
Conclusion
The Reddit Dark Web represents a fascinating fusion of community engagement and the complexities of internet privacy and security. By navigating this intersection carefully, users can gain insightful perspectives on dark web phenomena while being mindful of the risks involved.
