Unveiling the dark web

The dark web is a secretive, anonymous place where shadowy users access hidden services. It can be used for good or bad – but can it be cracked? And if so, how? Highly-publicised cases such as the online illegal drugs store Silk Road have raised public awareness of the dark web, a layer on top of the web that offers anonymity to users. But what technologies are used to power this mysterious alternate network? How are they used, who is using them, and do they have vulnerabilities of their own that could ultimately lead to their downfall? Danny Bradbury finds out.