You may have heard about the dark web, also called darknet. It is the underground side of the internet, allegedly containing much more data than the 'above' version of the internet does. The version we know and use can be 'seen' by search engines (is indexed), while pages and all content in the dark web can only be accessed through special browsers, setting and permissions. This allows users to browse anonymously and under complete privacy. It is generally regarded as a dubious place, meant first and foremost for illegal activities, the trading of illegal services and so on.
Since many of today's web dangers are somehow involved with the dark web, or even taking place solely through it, this issue has become of growing importance to security experts and the general public as well. Books about the dark web and its chief dangers, as well as purely informative content about how it works have started popping. Since, we're probably going to hear a lot more about the darknet in the next years, we've put together this list of the top 5 books about the dark web which you should read.
1. The Dark Net: Inside the Digital Underworld, by Jamie Bartlett
The most comprehensive book written so far about the dark web, Jamie Bartlett's recent masterpiece should be the first entry on everyone's reading list. The only disclaimer or warning is that it may be a heavy read, more suitable for academic reading than an easy-weight, approachable read. You can find the book here.
2. WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy, by Nev Schulman
Everyone has heard about Julian Assange and his famous WikiLeaks project, which made him one of the least liked people by the various governments exposed through his schemes. There are plenty of controversies surrounding him, but if you'd like to know more before making up your own mind on the topic, you should start with reading this book. It's one of the most balanced account of the subject to be found on the current book market. You can find the book here.
3. Cyberphobia: Identity, Trust, Security and the Internet, by Edward Lucas
This collection of studies and in-depth thought pieces allows people who were previously unfamiliar with the concept of cyberphobia understand exactly how this works and why it is dangerous. As crimes are so much harder to track and control online, especially due to the emergence of the dark web, new forms and opportunities of dangerous slopes mutate into the new waves of cybercrime. You can find the book here.
4. Cybersexism, by Laurie Penny
Similar to the book on cyberphobia, this new entry deals specifically with online harassment, revenge threads and other forms of cyberbullying, targeted towards a specific gender, and which are yet to be properly regulated. While on the dark web things get even more brutal, the phenomena is obviously present on the regular side of the internet as well. You can find it here.
5. So You've Been Publicly Shamed, by Jon Ronson
Our last recommendation for books about the dark web is this bestseller, dealing with how shaming and cyberbullying go hand in hand, reaching new and dangerous heights. It also works as guide for victims of cybershaming, giving sound and empathetic advice for getting back on your feet. You can find the book here.
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