Securing Cyberspace: Addressing the Dark Web and Cybercrime Underreporting

The rise of cybercrime presents significant obstacles to effective digital policing, particularly within the Dark Web where anonymity fuels illicit activities. Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) struggle to identify and prosecute criminals in this clandestine realm. As a result, they might resort to ethically dubious methods to identify and apprehend cybercriminals, leading to ethical dilemmas. Moreover, underreporting of cybercrime, especially among older adults with limited technical knowledge, exacerbates these challenges. This chapter critically analyses the challenges posed by the Dark Web to digital policing and cybercrime mitigation. It offers recommendations for LEAs by emphasising the implementation of a Decentralised Identity Management System (DIMS) to enhance user privacy and security in the Dark Web. Additionally, insights from exploratory research on older adults’ preferences suggest strategies for effective cybercrime awareness and prevention. By addressing these issues, this research contributes to bolstering cyber safety and law enforcement efforts in the digital realm.