Uncovering Tor: An Examination of the Network Structure
Joint Authors
Monk, Bryan
Mitchell, Julianna
Frank, Richard
Davies, Garth
Source
Security and Communication Networks
Issue
Vol. 2018, Issue 2018 (31 Dec. 2018), pp.1-12, 12 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2018-05-09
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
12
Main Subjects
Information Technology and Computer Science
Abstract EN
The dark web is a concealed portion of the Internet that can only be accessed through specialized software.
Although multiple dark web technologies exist, with a common trait of using encryption to enforce anonymity, the Tor network remains the most prominent dark web network.
To visit websites on the network, the user must use a heavily modified Firefox browser.
The use of encryption to achieve anonymity poses a significant challenge for law enforcement that wishes to monitor users and content for illicit activity.
This study examines Tor by focusing on the network structures created between websites via hyperlinks.
Examining hyperlinks can provide insight into how virtual communities form on a network.
We explore traditional social disorganization principles as a basis to draw comparisons between these virtual communities and real-life crime-prone neighborhoods.
Automated data collection techniques were used to leverage the interconnected nature of domains on Tor.
Using social network analysis, website hyperlinks are examined and core sites are identified.
The analysis shows that these core sites form a significant portion of all connections made on the network with a density of 0.132.
This core serves a critical function and has implications for detecting how users connect on Tor.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Monk, Bryan& Mitchell, Julianna& Frank, Richard& Davies, Garth. 2018. Uncovering Tor: An Examination of the Network Structure. Security and Communication Networks،Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1214125
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Monk, Bryan…[et al.]. Uncovering Tor: An Examination of the Network Structure. Security and Communication Networks No. 2018 (2018), pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1214125
American Medical Association (AMA)
Monk, Bryan& Mitchell, Julianna& Frank, Richard& Davies, Garth. Uncovering Tor: An Examination of the Network Structure. Security and Communication Networks. 2018. Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1214125
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1214125