When a VPN Isn't Enough (and Neither is the Dark Web) »

In the Shadow of the Net: When a VPN Isn’t Enough (and Neither is the Dark Web)

Do you feel safe behind your VPN? Do you believe your anonymity is impenetrable, your actions invisible to the prying eyes of the web? What if I told you that not even the Dark Web, with its dark corners and promise of anonymity, can guarantee your safety?

Imagine: you navigate the depths of the internet, convinced that you are protected by your digital shield, perhaps even venturing into the most hidden recesses of the Dark Web, where black markets and illicit activities lurk. But suddenly, a shadow falls over you. Someone is watching you, your digital tracks are being followed, your identity revealed.

How is this possible? How can they reach you even with a VPN and within the labyrinth of the Dark Web?

The truth is that no technology is infallible. There are sophisticated techniques, intelligence tools, and hidden flaws that can compromise your privacy, even in the darkness of the Dark Web. Law enforcement agencies, government agencies, and even skilled hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to uncover your identity and track your online activities.

Here are some methods they might use to track you down, even when you feel safe:

Search warrants: with a simple piece of paper, authorities can compel your VPN provider to reveal all your secrets: browsing history, IP addresses, connection timestamps.
VPN vulnerabilities: software bugs, security flaws, DNS leaks… your VPN could be a fortress with hidden cracks, allowing your data to leak and reach those who want to find you.
Traffic analysis: even if your traffic is encrypted, security experts may be able to decipher your online movements like a secret code, reconstructing your actions and identifying your identity.
Social engineering: through deception and manipulation, they could induce you to reveal crucial information or install malware on your device, completely bypassing your VPN.
Lawful interception: in some cases, law enforcement agencies can obtain legal authorization to intercept your network traffic, even if you use a VPN. This can be done by installing interception devices at Internet Service Providers or other strategic points in the network.
Man-in-the-middle attack: in this technique, attackers position themselves between you and the VPN server, intercepting and decrypting your traffic. This can be done by exploiting vulnerabilities in public Wi-Fi networks or through targeted phishing attacks.
Device fingerprinting: every device connected to the internet has a set of unique characteristics, such as the operating system, web browser, and installed plugins. This “fingerprint” can be used to track your online activity, even if you use a VPN.
Data correlation: by combining information from different sources, such as social media, surveillance cameras, and public databases, law enforcement agencies can create a detailed profile of your identity and activities, even if you use a VPN to mask some of your tracks.

But how do you unmask the “ghosts” of the Dark Web?

Even on the Dark Web, where anonymity reigns supreme, law enforcement agencies have developed sophisticated strategies to identify criminals and their customers. Here are a few examples:

Infiltration: undercover agents infiltrate the black markets of the Dark Web, gaining the trust of administrators and gathering evidence of their illicit activities.
Blockchain analysis: cryptocurrency transactions, often used on the Dark Web, leave traces on the blockchain. By analyzing this data, investigators can reconstruct money flows and identify the individuals involved.
User errors: even the most experienced criminals can make mistakes. A revealed email address, an unsecured connection, a recognizable device fingerprint… every little mistake can be the key to unveiling their identity.
International collaboration: law enforcement agencies from different countries collaborate to share information and coordinate investigations, increasing the effectiveness of operations against cybercrime.

The capture of the webmasters of major illegal Dark Web portals, such as in the case of Silk Road, demonstrates that online anonymity is not absolute. Even the most skilled criminals can be unmasked, thanks to the combination of traditional investigative techniques and advanced technological tools.

The feeling of security that the VPN and the Dark Web give you can be illusory. They are not magic solutions, but tools that must be used with awareness and attention.

What can you do to truly protect yourself?

Choose a reliable VPN provider: do thorough research, read reviews, and make sure your privacy is a priority for them.
Keep your software updated: every update may contain a patch that protects your identity from a new vulnerability.
Use a VPN with DNS leak protection: don’t let your ISP spy on your DNS requests and reconstruct your online activity.
Beware of social engineering: don’t fall victim to phishing or malware; stay vigilant and protect your data.
Use a secure connection: avoid unprotected public Wi-Fi networks, which are particularly vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks.
Browse with awareness: limit the sharing of personal information online and use tools to protect your privacy, such as security-oriented web browsers and extensions to block tracking.

Chips can be identified online

The chips in new computers have identification codes. These are not “secrets” in the sense of something intentionally hidden, but unique identifiers that allow one chip to be distinguished from another.

These codes are important for several reasons:

Traceability: they allow the origin of a chip to be identified and its path along the production and distribution chain to be followed. This can be useful in the event of defects or security problems, to identify the affected batches and withdraw them from the market.
License management: some software uses these codes to verify the authenticity of the system and prevent unauthorized use.
Security: the codes can be used to implement security features such as encryption and authentication.

Some examples of identification codes present in computer chips are:

Serial number: a unique code assigned to each chip during production.
MAC address: a unique identifier assigned to the computer’s network card.
UUID (Universally Unique Identifier): a code generated by an algorithm that guarantees global uniqueness.
TPM (Trusted Platform Module): a dedicated security chip that contains cryptographic keys and other sensitive data.

It is important to emphasize that these codes, although unique, do not contain personal information about the user. However, in some cases, they can be used to track the user’s online activity, especially when combined with other information, such as the IP address or browser cookies.

Is it better to use older computers?

There is no precise date when identification chips were introduced in computers. Serial numbers and MAC addresses have been around for decades, while newer technologies like TPM have been gradually introduced in recent years.

Ultimately, the choice to use an older generation computer depends on your needs and priorities. If privacy is your main concern and you are willing to sacrifice security, performance, and compatibility, an older computer might be an option. However, it is important to carefully weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

Avoid leaving traces:

Clear cookies and browsing history: cookies and browsing history can be used to track your online activity. Regularly clear this data or use incognito mode.
Use a private search engine: search engines like DuckDuckGo do not track your searches or show you personalized results based on your history.
Do not use your real name or personal information: when creating online accounts, use pseudonyms and false information. Avoid sharing personal information on social media or other websites.
Encrypt sensitive data: use encryption software to protect your files and communications.

Use secure operating systems:

Tails: Tails is a live operating system that you can boot from a USB stick or DVD. It is designed to protect your privacy and anonymity by routing all your internet traffic through the Tor network and erasing all traces of your activity at the end of your session.
Qubes OS: Qubes OS is a virtualization-based operating system that isolates different activities in separate virtual machines, limiting damage in the event of a cyberattack.

Be aware of your online actions:

Do not click on suspicious links: suspicious links may lead to phishing websites or download malware to your device.
Do not download attachments from unknown senders: attachments may contain malware or viruses.
Pay attention to the information you share: even seemingly harmless information can be used to track your online activity or identify you.

Use steganography:

Steganography is the technique of hiding information within other data, such as images or audio files. This can be an effective way to communicate securely and anonymously.

Remember:

None of these techniques guarantee absolute anonymity.
It is important to take a holistic approach to online security, combining different techniques and maintaining a high level of awareness.
Be aware of the laws and regulations on privacy in your country.

Disclaimer: this information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The use of some of these techniques may be illegal in some jurisdictions.

Don’t become prey on the web.