From the early days of the internet, the dark web has been a topic which is filled with intrigue, fear and anonymity. As it is operating in the realm of the internet, it can be accessed anywhere in the world.
In Asia, the dark web economy has become a growing concern due to fast paced digital adoption, cybercrime incidents and proliferation of cryptocurrencies. From the investigator’s point of view it is extremely important to understand the nuances of the dark web economy in order to combat illegal activities.
Also, understanding the landscape allows investigators to safeguards both individuals and businesses from the consequences.
The Growth of the Dark Web Economy in Asia
The adoption of the internet in Asia has been unprecedented. Data has become comparatively cheaper and that lead to a massive adoption wave. While the rapid expansion is a good thing for the economy in many ways, it does come with few negatives.
Owing to the growing user base, it has made the landscape a pool of potential targets for cybercriminals. Data around the exact percentage increase in the dark web activity should always be taken with a pinch of salt. However, the undeniable fact is that it is a growing concern and has to be addressed as quickly as possible.
Cryptocurrencies are still the preferred method of exchange for the crooks. Bitcoin and Monero are the popular choices and the reason behind this is the perceived anonymity.
Do note that cryptocurrencies are traceable, but it might not lead to the perpetrator every time as the number of variables are plenty. Asia is combating the downsides of cryptocurrencies pretty aggressively. However, it is still a work in progress and requires time to implement effectively across all levels.
Key Activities on the Dark Web in Asia
As the name suggests, the dark web is a marketplace for illicit goods and services. In Asia, just like the other dark web hubs, prominent activities include drug trafficking, counterfeit goods/currency, illegal firearm sales and cybercrime-for-hire services.
Sophisticated services like ransomware-as-a-service have seen their fair share of popularity and are enabling people to deploy deadly cyber attacks against businesses and governments.
Even intellectual properties are up for sale in this realm. Things like personal identifiable information, credit card details and other platform login credentials are also sold. Most of the times when there are huge data breaches, the confidential information is put up on dark web forums for sale.
Challenges for Investigators
Navigating the dark web in Asia has its own set of challenges. For starters, the language barrier is a big one and it has been evident that most of the region specific marketplaces and forums are in the native language.
In other words, investigators need linguistic skills or have to use advanced translation services to make informed decisions. For any reason, if someone prefers the old-school methods, then it might take a while as learning Chinese or Thai is not an easy task.
When used for the wrong purpose, anonymity quickly becomes a major hurdle. Dark web users employ Tor or I2P which means their location and identities by extension are masked.
While cryptocurrency transactions can be traced relatively easily, it is a daunting task to identify the individuals based on their online activity and it often is a combination of technical expertise and legal collaboration to reign in the culprit.
Lastly, there is a set of challenges brought by jurisdictional complexities. It goes without mentioning that Asia is a diverse region and it has varying enforcement capabilities.
Countries such as Singapore and Japan are quick to react, others may take weeks or even months together to take action. As you might have guessed by now, cross-border cooperation is crucial to the investigation.
Role of Advanced Technologies
To tackle the dark web economy, investigators should adopt cutting edge tools. Things like artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used to decode patterns, point out suspicious activities and help recognise potential threats.
Few blockchain analysis tools have in-built systems like monitoring the movement of wallets which helps to keep close tabs on blacklisted wallets which is essential to gain edge.
It goes without mentioning that open-source intelligence(OSINT) is a valuable tool too. By scouring information available publicly, investigators can gain clarity about dark web portals and get insights about their links with surface web platforms.
Preventive Measures and Public Awareness
As the saying goes – prevention is always better than the cure. Enforcement and investigation is essential, but to prevent the problem at hand, awareness is needed. Governments across Asia have taken a lot of initiatives to spread the word and help individuals and businesses protect themselves against dark web related activities.
However, strict enforcement is the need of the hour. Using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication along with safe browsing practices also go a long way in reducing the potential vulnerabilities.
Awareness is also a key deterrent. If more people in general are aware of the threats posed by the dark web and associated elements. Keep in mind that the government alone shouldn’t be blamed for all the shortcomings as the variables are way too many.
Conclusion
We need to understand that, with time, the dark web also changes. Emergence of new cryptocurrencies, online portals and decentralised exchanges means the landscape will be a challenge for investigators.
Nonetheless, cybersecurity and law enforcement is also updating their norms and that is a relief. For investigators, the key is to stay one step ahead and adapt to the changing times and trends. After all, no one can mitigate something they can’t detect, right?