One More Darkweb Myth Busted: Exploring Malicious Hackers’ Behavior and Browsers Preferences

• In Event: Mapping Surface & Dark Web Networks

Abstract

In cybersecurity, the dark web remains shrouded in mystery, often associated with malicious hackers conducting illegal activities exclusively through the Tor browser. However, our observation of malicious hackers, who unknowingly fell into our system's trap, reveals a different reality. Documenting their browser preferences sheds light on their behavior. Contrary to popular belief, Tor is not the favored browser among these hackers. Through our research, we unveil a nuanced understanding of hacker behavior by correlating different types of attackers with their browser choices. This exploration deepens our comprehension of the cyber threat landscape, challenging preconceived notions and highlighting the diverse tools and strategies employed by malicious actors.

Author

• Andreanne Bergeron, GoSecure / Université de Montréal