In a post class evaluation I was posed a provocative question: “Can you teach me how to navigate the dark web?”

One word picture used to describe the dark web, is an iceberg.

Dark Web Origins

We see the tip, the Internet we use for ordering groceries or responding to social media posts, but there is a dark mirror that lurks beneath. N.C. Cooperative Extension values research and evaluation, so I listened and considered the value of this feedback. The thought experiment led to this article on cybersecurity and the veracity of information. Cybersecurity is the discipline of guarding networks and individuals against scams, phishing, misinformation, malware and even social engineering. The Internet has vast amounts of information but not all of the posts are true.

In a recent poll by Pew Research, 73% of Americans said they have seen inaccurate news coverage about the 2024 presidential election at least somewhat often. (Pew Research)

The evaluation response about the dark web led me to revamp the curriculum I was teaching on cybersecurity. One response was to research the pathways of data and how those packets may be intercepted. (MIT Introduction, Verizons 2024 report). Virtual private networks as defined by Cisco are a tool that creates a secure connection between a device and a remote server, allowing users to transmit data over the Internet safely and anonymously (Cisco). Ironically, a 2022 congressional report verifies that vpns are also the tool used by criminals in navigating the dark web. I was prompted to consider how innovative criminal thinking can be and it led me to consider how outside of the box thinking can sharpen the response of cybersecurity. What are the ethical solutions to these challenges? 

VPN Diagram

The field of integrated marketing communication investigates the realm of global marketing. Historically, media technology required significant capital and thus only a few voices could afford to broadcast the news and market products and services. The technological advancements of the Internet, including social media has leveled the playing field, anyone can speak to everyone. Misinformation and polarization have become unwanted results in this stage of media technological advancement. 

Historically, the world’s largest library is a victory of intellectual and historical achievement.

• In 323 B.C. the Library of Alexandria was created and then burned by Julius Caesar in 48 B.C. 
• In the 8th Century Hanlin Library was created in present day Beijing. It was later burned during the Boxer Revolution in 1900.
• Currently the U.S. Library of Congress is the world’s largest library. Its first iteration began in 1800 and was burned down by the British in 1814, later to be reestablished with the purchase of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library.

But if we consider the largest repository of data, the Internet is the winner. Currently, the data created, copied and consumed is around 147 zettabytes. (Statistica) That is about 250 billion DVDs. By 2028, that number is projected to double. What is tricky about this digital library is that not all of the data is stored longterm. In 2020, there was only about 6.7 zettabytes of standing storage available, with a growth rate of over 19 percent from 2020 to 2025. When will we reevaluate the storage limits of what qualifies for longterm storage?

Media technology has taken a turn in an unpredictable direction with artificial intelligence.

AI filters our search engine results, AI ranks and recommends our social media feeds. AI collaborates with us on creative content from news articles to deep fakes. AI scrapes the Internet for training and building data sets. AI has become the Internet’s librarian.

The dark web values obfuscation and veils of secrecy. Misinformation in social media is similar to sleight of hand with distraction and polarization. Knowledge is power and the accessibility of information on the Internet is dramatically changing the perception of companies internally and externally. Research by MIT indicates that the desire of Internet consumers is leading to an “Age of Transparency.” What’s interesting is that the desire for authenticity and veracity in messaging has become all the more important. Which leads to the questions:

• In a library without borders, how will our communities respond to knowing everything and will they take the time to verify if the information is true? 
• How will we move as institutions to safeguard the information that should be confidential?
• What policies will the U.S. establish in regards to data ethics in the age of using artificial intelligence as the librarians of the Internet?

Here are a few additional resources on the topics of cybersecurity and information veracity.

• Learn more about cybersecurity.NIST.gov
• Use strong passwords. Password strength testing tool by Bitwarden
• Backup your data regularly. Google Drive and Paragon offer free options. 
• Be careful about passing sensitive data when using open networks, those without a closed padlock in your Internet browser.
• Consider using a vpn. (Guide for vpns).
• Update your software regularly.
• Verify all news stories.
• Join a class on the topics of cybersecurity, scam prevention or social media.

If you’re interested in any of these types of classes or digital literacy in general, please refer to the Guilford County calendar: https://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu. Questions? Contact our digital skills agent, Jeffrey Cates with questions: jeff_cates@ncsu.edu, 336.641.2400.