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• December 30, 2024
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The Relationship of Network Forensics and Analysing Dark Web Traffic

The hidden web that is only available through the means of accessing the TOR browser is well established in criminal activity, mainly in hacking services, exploit markets, stolen data, and other unlawful services. Based on the present and future advances in the collective area of the dark web threats, there is increasing research in more enhanced network forensics investigation. By using different sophisticated advanced network forensics tools, organizations can detect, follow, and contain any threats related to this unknown part of the internet.

As time goes on, the problem of traffic on the dark web becomes tremendously increasing.

The dark web has seen exponential growth in recent years, becoming a haven for illegal activities:

• Estimated Growth: Individuals in their tens of thousands are running over thirty thousand hidden websites on the dark web at one time.
• Cybercrime Marketplace: According to the research conducted, it was established that in 2023, about 62% of the traffic on the dark web originated from illicit businesses including narcotics dealerships, firearms trafficking, and identity theft markets.
• Ransomware Influence: Most ransomware groups use the dark web to exchange decryption keys or to sell stolen information which is why this is such an essential territory to examine.

These eye-opening statistics show the importance of advanced network forensics to expose and interpret dark web usage.

See how Network Forensic helps in Dark Web Cases

Network forensics investigation involves analyzing and collating packets as they flow through a network for signs of threats or as the inverse of a traditional investigation, where packets are trapped and reconstructed to track misdeeds. If the process is applied to the procurement from the dark web, then it becomes somewhat time-consuming since there is added encryption or anonymization. However, with advanced tools and methodologies, investigators can:

Closely Supervise the Latest Traffic to Dark Web Gateways

Monitor Traffic to Dark Web Gateways

• Analyze the traffic incoming and outgoing of the entry and exit nodes of the Tor network.
• Find out which spikes, or data transfers, could be suspicious and an indication of unlawful conduct.

Decrypt and analysis of communications

• Use specific algorithms to decode specific segments of traffic in the dark web blindly.
• Compare metadata of the transactions for histories and communication trends.

Trace Source of Illicit Activities

Establish a connection with the logs of the network to the activities carried out in the dark web in an effort to determine the location of a user or device.

Application That Enabling Sophisticated Network Analysis

Several sophisticated tools are now available for monitoring and investigating dark web activities:

Cellebrite Dark Web Monitor

• Helps in getting information about the transactions and the marketplace of the dark web.
• Enhances the relationship between on-net traffic and miscellaneous external dark web operations.

Maltego

• Traverses and searches for connections in connection data and dark web.
• Employed to link threat actors, the markets, and the transactions involved.

DarkOwl Vision

• Provides searchability of dark web data for analysis and to be used in investigations.
• Allows organizations to look for stolen accounts, dumped databases, and queer behaviors.
• Wireshark

Wireshark

• Captures and inspects packet-level data from Tor traffic.
• Helps identify anomalies in network traffic that may lead to dark web gateways.

Case Studies: Effective Investigations Done On Dark Web

Ransomware Group Takedown

A worldwide cybercriminal organization was arrested following efforts to link the Bitcoin transactions on the black market with financial proceeds of ransomware attacks employing NFT. Since traffic logs were correlated with the blockchain and analyzed by police, officers found out the major distributors.

Illicit Marketplace Shutdown

The infamous stocking site on the black market was closed after receiving encrypted messages; the police also found out which servers were communicating with the stocking site.

IS Dark Web Network forensics: Research challenges

Despite these advancements, investigating the dark web remains complex:

• Encryption Protocols: Data is inaccessible due to advanced encryption layers over available information.
• Anonymity Networks: Sites like the Tor network can hide the main identity of the users and only to the most experienced in forensic work.
• Massive Data Volumes: Most dark web investigation processes end up requiring the examination of terabytes worth of data.

Dark Web Monitoring: An Insight Into the Future

Progress and development of AI and machine learning techniques in the new generation of advanced network forensics will aid investigators in exploring the complicated dark web. It is true that analysts for law enforcement can use predictive algorithms that determine any traffic patterns on the dark web and prevent threats in advance.

Conclusion

The dark web is still a continued major issue in cybersecurity, however with the approach of network forensics investigation , and the development of advanced network forensics, organizations can able to prevent and counter illegitimate activities. With the help of advanced technologies, criminals can track the traffic, pinpoint all major players, and leave the Internet space free from threats.

Connect with ECS Infotech today to see how you can protect your company from the dangers lurking in the dark web with the help of ECS Infotech’s latest network forensic services.