The term ‘dark web’ often brings to mind images of shadowy figures and criminal activity, but much about this hidden part of the internet remains a mystery.
So, what exactly is the dark web, and what happens there?
Understanding the Dark Web
Ryan Montgomery, a highly respected ethical hacker, has taken it upon himself to clarify what the dark web really entails. Montgomery is known for his cybersecurity expertise and his efforts to expose online predators. He recently shared insights on the Shawn Ryan Show podcast, aiming to shed light on this eerie corner of the internet.
According to Montgomery, “The dark web itself isn’t a marketplace, the black market, or whatever you want to call it. Once you’re connected to the dark web you still need to know where to go to visit these horrible websites.”
He explains that dark web addresses look unusual—long strings of letters and numbers ending in ‘.onion’ rather than ‘.com.’
How to Access the Dark Web
Montgomery points out that you can’t reach these sites using a regular browser. Instead, you must use the Onion Router, or TOR, which can be downloaded from TOR’s official website. Once connected, websites can be navigated through a resource called the Hidden Wiki, which categorizes and lists various dark web addresses.
“There’s counterfeit money, there’s fake IDs. There are all kinds of different websites that do horrible things,” Montgomery notes, giving a sense of the unlawful activities that can be found.
Risks and Realities
Interestingly, Montgomery shares that his work often doesn’t require delving into the dark web. Most online predators can be tracked using more ordinary means, such as tracing their email addresses or IP addresses.
“A lot of time it doesn’t need to go that far, a lot of the time these guys will use their regular emails or IP address that’s been reused for multiple emails, or their face that they’ve been using as their profile picture, or a phone number that traces right back to them,” he says.
For Montgomery, the dark web is ‘not really a huge part of catching predators’. His expertise and diligence often lead him to criminals using more common online tools and behaviors.
Community Responses
Montgomery has found praise and support from many corners of the internet. In the YouTube comments section of his interview, viewers expressed their appreciation for his work.
One commenter wrote: “This guy is so well spoken, so determined, we would need many more like him around. Great video, thank you!”
Another viewer commented: “The world needs more people like Ryan.”
Additional comments included, “Thank you intelligent young man for exposing these horrible people on the dark web, you’re amazing and the world needs more people like you, Bravo!” and “After hearing about some of the stories about the dark web, my fear is coming across any of these horrific sites.”
A Final Thought
While the dark web may seem like a daunting space, accessing it is not a straightforward task. Thanks to the expertise of cybersecurity professionals like Montgomery, most of us can remain securely on the safer parts of the web. Their efforts provide a sense of safety and highlight how regular online activities can be monitored to catch wrongdoers without needing to venture into the darker side of the internet.
