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🇪🇬 Egypt /Crime & Justice

Dark web now a tool for serious crimes, cybersecurity expert warns

From Al-Masry Al-Youm · () Arabic

Translated from Arabic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A cybersecurity consultant warned that the dark web has evolved from behind-the-scenes activity to a tool for serious crimes.
  • He noted that obtaining weapons via the dark web, as allegedly happened in a recent case, is a dangerous development enabled by technology.
  • The consultant stressed the need for enhanced technical awareness and official reporting of suspicious online activities to combat evolving cybercrime.

The dark web has transformed from a discreet online space into a significant facilitator of serious criminal activity, according to cybersecurity consultant Dr. Mohamed Mohsen Ramadan. He highlighted that the alleged acquisition of a weapon through the dark web in a recent incident signifies a dangerous escalation in the use of technology for criminal purposes.

The acquisition of a weapon through the 'dark web' in exchange for a sum of money represents a very serious detail and reveals a dangerous development in the employment of technology to serve crimes.

— Dr. Mohamed Mohsen RamadanCommenting on the evolution of the dark web and its use in serious criminal activities.

Ramadan explained that accessing the dark web requires specialized technical knowledge and tools, distinguishing its illicit markets from conventional e-commerce. Transactions often involve encrypted payment methods designed to obscure the identities of participants, posing a challenge for law enforcement agencies.

He emphasized that the process of obtaining items like weapons through the internet is complex and does not necessarily involve standard shipping. Investigations must uncover the actual path of delivery to confirm the specifics of such cases. Ramadan also pointed to the issue of mobile phone SIM cards being registered without owners' knowledge, urging citizens to use official channels to check their registered lines and report any discrepancies.

Transactions conducted through illegal markets on the dark web differ from traditional e-commerce, relying heavily on digital payment methods designed to hide the identity of the parties involved, which poses a challenge for law enforcement agencies.

— Dr. Mohamed Mohsen RamadanExplaining the nature of transactions on the dark web.

Concluding, Ramadan stressed the importance of public technical awareness and prompt reporting of suspicious online activities to official bodies. He called for integrated efforts from security, judicial, and technical sectors to develop effective countermeasures against emerging cyber threats.

The investigations are required to uncover the actual path of the weapon's arrival to the accused, if the incident is proven.

— Dr. Mohamed Mohsen RamadanHighlighting the need for detailed investigation into how weapons are transferred from the virtual to the physical realm.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al-Masry Al-Youm in Arabic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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