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- The State Department is going to start paying dark web informants in cryptocurrencies
- Informants who provide the identification or location of any person designated as a threat may be eligible for up to $10 million in prizes
- Former Justice Department cybercrime prosecutor Erez Liebermann believes the policy has been in place for some time but has only recently been made official
The dark web, sometimes known as the invisible web, is a section of the internet that is inaccessible to normal web search engines. The dark web has become synonymous with cybercrime, criminal services, espionage, drug and gun trades, illegal collectibles, animals, human trafficking, credit card details, and other criminal services, despite not being wholly bad.
The State Department is planning to pay informants in cryptocurrency
The US State Department is providing dark web informants cryptocurrency rewards in exchange for information on hackers deemed a threat to the country in order to put a stop to their operations. Informants who wish to build a sizable crypto portfolio now have the chance.
The State Department’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program pays up to $10 million for the identification or location of anybody who engages in hostile cyber activities against U.S. vital infrastructure while acting at the direction or under the authority of a foreign government.
Justice is rewarded
The Rewards for Justice (RFJ) programme began in 1984 and has been in operation ever since. According to a report, more than 100 informants have received rewards totaling more than $150 million for providing actionable information that has resulted in the arrest of terrorists or the prevention of acts of international terrorism around the world.
The State Department is now willing to pay informants in cryptocurrency, according to a State Department official, as it attempts to seize every opportunity to contact audiences, sources, and anyone who may have information that can assist the US strengthen its security.
The Vegas Uprising
The State Department’s move comes just after the Vegas Push. Hackers and cybersecurity specialists from all over the world came on Las Vegas last week for the renowned cyber conference Black Hat.
At the occasion, the State Department unveiled a new effort called #RewardsnotRansoms, which included an open Wi-Fi network. Leaving an open Wi-Fi network at such an event was both amusing and strategic. Attendees were directed to the State Department’s portal offering the prizes by logging into the network or scanning QR codes on free T-shirts and pamphlets.
With a background in journalism, Ritika Sharma has worked with many reputed media firms focusing on general news such as politics and crime. She joined The Coin Republic as a reporter for crypto, and found a great passion for cryptocurrency, Web3, NFTs and other digital assets. She spends a lot of time researching and delving deeper into these concepts around the clock, and is a strong advocate for women in STEM.
