Most of you might be aware of Dark Web and maybe using TrueCaller, the caller identification app, but for those who are not aware or heard of what is the dark web and never used TrueCaller, we will discuss the both in brief in this article.
What is the dark web on the Internet?
The dark web operates on the onion router most popularly known as the Tor Infrastructure, where the world wide website exists on the darknet, which cannot be accessed from your regular web browser; instead, you need a special browser that supports Tor protocol and web sites. Though it is possible to access tor network from a regular web browser, for that, you need add-on or extension to add the tor support; also, it might not be safe.
The dark web is used for:
The dark web is most frequently used for illegal activities like black markets, illegal file sharing, and also the exchanging of illegal products or services (including taking money and personal data), and also the namelessness of the Dark web attracts drug-dealers, hackers, and pornography paddlers.
How the dark web operates and functions?
The dark web operates on the highly encrypted network, and it is not possible to track down the website operator, service provider, web server, or the IP address of the server since everything runs behind a highly complicated proxy engineered over the Tor Network infrastructure. Websites on the dark web are referred to as the onion pages.
Is dark web illegal?
The dark web itself isn’t illegal. However, it’s positively not safe. It’s a desirable place that exists as a testament to what quantity the net has modified the landscape of the planet. Several of its users do participate in illegal dealings, and it shouldn’t be the safest place for you are to be explored on a whim. If you ever want to explore the dark web, ensure you have got ample protection.
What is the danger of the dark web?
Since it is not possible to track down a service provider on the dark web or locate the server on the Internet, anyone can provide anything also the real-world laws and regulations ain’t followed on the dark web. Be it scamming, phishing or any kind of illegal activity can easily be operated on the dark web where the provider cannot be traced.
What is TrueCaller?
TrueCaller is a smartphone app available for Android, iOS, and other smartphone operating systems that have an option of caller-identification, call-blocking, flash-messaging, call-recording, Chat, and Voice. People use TrueCaller just because it shows the caller name and location even if the contact number does not exist in the contact list. It might be helpful but not always reliable always as anyone can modify and change their profile by just registering to the TrueCaller app also when someone installs the app it collects all contacts and names from the user’s phone and stores on the TrueCaller server.
How TrueCaller works?
When anyone installs the TrueCaller app from Google Play Store or App store, it seeks permission to access the contact list, call logs, SMS, contact details and other personal information. While all the data that can be accessed by the TrueCaller is collected and stored on the server of the TrueCaller and on the basis of collected data, it predicts the names of the callers even if the caller’s number is not saved in the phone.
Is TrueCaller safe to use?
A Big No! TrueCaller is not safe to use — As per the report published in India Today, the Indian Army advised its personnel to uninstall the TrueCaller immediately as it’s a Spyware. Though TrueCaller is compliance with GDPR and DMCA, still it will Sync the contact details saved on other’s phone (example- your friends and family) even if you delete your account and unlist your number from the TrueCaller. Most of the people who use TrueCaller are not aware of the risk factors involved with installing and using the TrueCaller. Even the people who are aware of the risk factor they are using just to see the unknown caller’s name. We should also not forget that TrueCaller has been banned by government of India (Indian aramy).
Why and how TrueCaller sold the user’s personal data to the Dark Web?
TrueCaller was established in the year 2009 in Swedish and recently the Govt of India reported that many apps, including the TrueCaller app along with dangerous and is Chinese apps.
Recently, shocking news went viral on social media that the TrueCaller database of nearly 4.75 crores Indian users is available for the sale on the dark web at Rs. 75,000. The Tweet was shared by a Cyber Intelligence firm, Cyble, while the firm shared a screenshot of the leaked data.
TrueCaller officials have denied from any data breach or sale of the data on the dark web while the company claimed that the security experts have compiled the data and shared on the web to lend credibility.