The Dark Web – part 2

The ‘Dark Search Engine’ is called Grams and it looks very much like Google. Launched earlier last month Grams requires users to be on the Tor anonymity network (see part 1 for details) and fills a niche for anyone selling and buying illegal stuff and services.

Although Grams is still in beta, it’s already serving up results from several online markets, thanks to an API the developer made available to site owners to allow his engine to scrape their product listings.

Grams has modeled itself on the Google search engine, using a similar method to generate results and even copying features such as the iconic coloured lettering and the ‘I’m feeling lucky’ button.

According to the founder, Gramsadmin, Grams will shortly have a system similar to Google AdWords where vendors can buy keywords and their listings will go to the top of the search results when those keywords are searched for (i wonder how that will keep people anonymous).

While being legal Grams represents the bad side of the net as there is no good in being able to buy illegal items online. Although it might always be possible, new ways such as this search engine are making it easier and easier for people who aren't even computer smart to purchase them. It raises questions of how easier buying these things will get and if it will eventually be like Amazon or eBay as new technology arises everyday.