CSA 410 - Dark Web Analysis and Threat Detection

(3 credits)

The Dark Web, often misunderstood and shrouded in mystery, represents a vast portion of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines like Google. This course delves into the depths of the Dark Web, comparing and contrasting it with the surface web that most people use daily. Often likened to the wild west of the 1800s due to its unregulated nature, the Dark Web is a space where anonymity is king and virtually anything can be bought and sold. This hands-on course introduces students to the tools and methodologies necessary to navigate and investigate the Dark Web. Utilizing TOR (The Onion Router), VPNs, and virtual machines students will learn how to access the Dark Web while maintaining security and anonymity. The course will cover the creation of online personas and employ a variety of digital forensic tools and techniques to evaluate and manage online threats effectively. Students will learn the architecture and distinct characteristics of the Dark Web and be able to gather and analyze digital evidence and prepare detailed and coherent reports of their findings. The course features a combination of lectures, lab exercises, and project-based learning. Students will also engage directly with the Dark Web under close supervision, using simulation and real-world scenarios to hone their investigative skills. This course offers a unique and critical skill set for students interested in cybersecurity, law enforcement, or digital forensics, providing them with the knowledge and tools necessary to understand and engage with one of the most elusive parts of the internet.

Caveat: Students should be aware that the content encountered on the Dark Web can be explicit and disturbing. Although appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that exposure to harmful material is minimized and handled with sensitivity, elimination of exposure to such material is not possible. Prerequisite(s): CSA 201 , CSA 210 Alternate years.