Cyber crime, The Silk Road, and more: 8 podcasts and episodes about the dark web

Change your passwords, lock your doors, save everything on your hard drive, and tune into stories about the internet’s darkest corners. We’ve rounded up some podcasts and episodes all about the Dark Web and some true crime investigations tracking down cyber criminals.

There are episodes about The Silk Road’s creator Ross Ulbricht, hacking, data breaches, and more cyber crimes. Tune in to hear interviews with hackers, investigative journalists tracking down criminals, and law enforcement.

Hunting Warhead

On CBC True Crime’s “Hunting Warhead,” host Daemon Fairless joins journalists and law enforcement scouring the internet’s darkest corners and finds the investigators, survivors and criminals involved in some of the most disturbing cases.

Darknet Diaries

Host Jack Rhysider brings listeners through cyber crimes in “Darknet Diaries.” Learn more about crimes like hacking, data breaches, election rigging, cyber attacks, and many more. Episodes interview folks like a Google Project Zero researcher, Brett Johnson AKA Gollumfun who partook in sites like Counterfeit Library and Shadow Crew, and penetration testers from the field.

Hacked

Sticks & Stones presents “Hacked,” a technology podcast hosted by Jordan Bloemen (communicator/ storyteller) and Scott Francis Winder (technologist/computer security hobbyist). Check out recent episodes on “Dr. Ransomware,” campus security, the “Trojan Phone,” the world of private investigators, and much more.

Malicious Life

Cybereason’s “Malicious Life” explores some of the biggest computer hacks ranging from millions of dollars stolen to spies’ roles in elections, teenagers stopping a rocket launch, and more. Author and cybersecurity expert Ran Levi brings listeners through cybersecurity’s history and interviews people who experienced these kinds of events firsthand.

Casefile True Crime

This 3-part episode of “Casefile True Crime” shares how Pennsylvania State University student Ross Ulbricht created The Silk Road. His deep interest in math and science along with his libertarian political views set the stage for his free trade idea – an unfindable online market that went outside the government’s rules. Hear about the issues Ulbricht faced including paranoia that law enforcement was on his tail, and the ultimate decision that had severe consequences. In part 3, hear how Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI closed in on their suspect, and what happened next.

The Children in the Pictures

“The Children in the Pictures” is an 8-part investigative series by Australian documentary-maker Akhim Dev. In this series, Dev documented the Queensland Police’s investigation of a child exploitation website. This site was part of the dark web and allowed its members to upload, create, and share media of “unimaginable acts against children.” The team of Australian investigators, Taskforce Argos, used global connections, went undercover to infiltrate the dark web, and found the abusers.

Dam Internet, You Scary!

Patrick Cloud and Tahir Moore host “Dam Internet, You Scary!” Along with guests, they’re getting into the most disturbing internet stories from the week ranging from conspiracy theories to hackings.

Sword and Scale

“Sword and Scale’s” Episode 84 shares stories about The Dark Net with special guest Jamie Bartlett. This episode also digs into the human psychology that created this sinister place and why it is especially dangerous. Tune in to hear about William Francis Melchert-Dinkel who conned a girl into killing herself for his own entertainment. Mitchell Henderson was bullied in school and committed suicide – he and his parents were trolled online after his death. This episode also discusses Peter Scully’s horrifying case with his No Limits Fun business.