The Dark Net refers to the hidden, unindexed parts of the internet that allow for illegal transactions like drug deals and assassinations. It uses the same technical framework as the public internet but for darker purposes and its members differ. While the Dark Net can be accessed by anyone using TOR servers, efforts to shut it down have been unsuccessful and its use for illegal activities is expected to continue growing over the next two years.

1. The Dark Net
Paul Soriano, ECOMMER K32

2. What is the Dark Net?
O As defined in the Discovery Channel
Documentary, the Dark Net is the part of
the iceberg under the water – the one
people don’t see, remains unindexed, but
the one that comprises an even larger part
of the internet.

3. O The Dark Net allows for less-than-legal
transactions to be made – drug deals,
arms deals, assassination attempts, and
more.
O Relatively few are aware of its existence

4. O The Dark Net is shares the same
framework as the Net – but used for
darker purposes.
O The Dark Net, like the real net, is an
online community. Only its members differ.

5. O The Dark Net can be accessed,
unfortunately, by anyone, as long as they
use the TOR servers.
O The Dark Net has been accessed by
countless people, and efforts to shut it
down have been numerous as well. But it
continues to exist.

6. Effects on E-Commerce
O If we’re talking about E-Commerce per se,
then the Dark Net extends the reach of ECommerce, from legal and morally sound
means, to morally questionable (not to
mention illegal) purposes.

7. O The Dark Net presents another avenue of
transacting online.
O Analyzed further, the Dark Net is just a
version of the regular Net – but with
different intents and purposes.

8. The Trend in 2 Years
O The Dark Net shall continue to exist,
unfortunately.
O Despite efforts to shut it down, the number
of users and transactions only increase
and the owners continue to find ways to
circumvent, or avoid altogether, legal
sanctions.

9. O The only thing we have on our side is
vigilance and awareness. The more
people we make aware of its existence,
the more efforts there will be to shut it
down.