Darknet

Darknet

There is a routed allocation of a Darknet IP address space that is not searchable in any way. This term is used to refer to both the same private network and the mass part of the internet address space, which is configured in such a manner.

Technically, there is a change on a Darknet Virtual Private Network (VPN), in which additional measures are taken to ensure that members' networks and IP addresses are not searchable. Its purpose is not only to hide communications, but also to the fact that the information is being exchanged. Members are included with the hope of being able to share information and / or to identify files with less risk.

Popular Darknets include Tor (onion router), white and I2P. Such networks are usually decentralized, routing traffic through a wide spread system of servers, which are often provided by volunteers. The complex routing system makes communication difficult to detect.

Special purpose Darknets are usually used for illegal file sharing, including copyrighted media, pirated software, malware programs and illegal content, such as child pornography.

Another purpose of the Darknet is to provide a place for personal communication when public communication is not undesirable, dangerous, or permissible. For example, when the Mubarak regime in Egypt stopped the internet in that country, political dissidents used Tor Darknet to maintain communication with the rest of the world.

Darknet is also used in network security testing. The administrator separates a portion of the unused IP address space for the Darknet and configures the network-monitoring device to detect any traffic for the IP address within that range. Because any valid system does not run on the Darknet, there is no trace of traffic for an address within a malicious or misconception system. Darknet is particularly useful for detecting systems that are infected with worms or other malicious programs trying to spread on the network.

Regardless of all the precautions, a Darknet can never be completely undetectable. In October 2011, Hacktivist group Anonymous entered Tor Darknet to take up a website hosting service named Freedom Hosting, which was home to more than forty child pornography sites.

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