About 80% or more of the traffic of the dark site turned out to be child pornographic site browsing

ByEnrique Saldivar

Anonymous communication system that can connect to the Internet without disclosing the IP address "Tor(Toa) "is very handy for users who use correctly, such as for the military to conduct secure communications, to protect the privacy of children. However, in a study published by the University of Portsmouth in the UK,Tor secret serviceAbout 80% of the traffic on traffic turned out to be access to child pornography sites.

Content and popularity analysis of Tor hidden services
(PDF file)http://arxiv.org/pdf/1308.6768v2.pdf

Over 80 Percent of Dark-Web Visits Relate to Pedophilia, Study Finds | WIRED
http://www.wired.com/2014/12/80-percent-dark-web-visits-relate-pedophilia-study-finds/

Dr. Gareth Owen of the University of Portsmouth analyzed the Tor concealment service of the ".onion" domain in the Tor network, the so-called dark site traffic, and investigated which genres of dark sites are popular among Tor users. The survey results showed that there were more than 80% of traffic to child pornography sites that accounted for only 2% of 45,000 dark sites using Tor.


In addition, child pornographic sites that existed in March 2013, when the survey was initiated, have decreased to less than one sixth after six months, and the child pornography site's operation period is very short Together we know it.

Dr. Owen said about the findings "It was my opinion that Tor was a wonderful tool to protect the user's anonymity because it was my opinion before conducting the survey, so I was very surprised by the findings. It is currently the situation that pedophiles are offering places to pedophiles, "he said before and after the investigation that the impression on Tor changed.

Outside the child pornography site,Silk roadWhile illegal drug sites like 15% of the entire dark site are occupied, traffic is only about 5%SecureDropIt is only about 5% of the dark site whistle-blowing service, and traffic is less than 0.1%.

Among the dark sites, the most common adult site, followed by illegal drug sites and political related sites.


In response to the findings, The Tor Project, the developer of Tor, says, "Since traffic on child pornography sites may include access from legal institutions conducting investigations and anti-child pornography groups, The survey results lack accuracy. " Furthermore, he insisted, "There are only 2% of dark sites related to child pornographic sites and illegal drug sites throughout the Tor network."

In November 2014400 anonymous domains via Tor caughtAnd even if only some users are misusing it, the The Tor Project may be forced to take some action from the authorities.