Tech

A Peek Into The Dark Side Of The Web

Published

5 years ago

September 8, 2020

Now that everything from buying groceries to booking hotels can be done online, it is important to consider the potential risks that arise from being so connected to the world wide web. Are we really as safe as we think we are?

The internet as we know it has only been around for a few decades. As time passes and technology becomes indispensable to our daily activities, we are learning more and more about the online world. Like any other platform out there, there exists another face of the internet that most people are oblivious of — the dark web.

What is the ‘dark web’?

As intimidating as the name sounds, the dark web is still part of the internet, albeit inaccessible through our usual browsers. It functions on overlay networks that are out of reach of cyber authorities. It is the no-mans-land of the internet and a hub for a variety of illegal activities such as the sale of leaked personal information, account passwords, illegal arms and ammunition, and other heinous cybercrimes.

For us, the existence of the dark web and the anonymity of offenders operating through this medium can incite a plethora of questions surrounding our own online security.

Dark web monitoring services

Becoming aware of the dark web can cause us to realise that our personal information is not safe and may be vulnerable to identity theft. We often find ourselves powerless in these situations, due to our shallow understanding of what the dark web is. Large corporations can then harness our apprehension of the dark web to extract profits.

These companies demand huge sums of money as monthly premiums to keep your data safe from the dark web. As attractive as their packages may appear, very little information is shared by these companies about how they operate, leading to some serious misconceptions in regard to internet security and the dark web.

Common misconceptions surrounding the dark web

1. Compromised personal information can be erased permanently from the dark web

Information such as credit card details and account login details cannot be erased once in the dark web domain. Due to the large number of hosts and servers on the dark web, it is practically impossible to locate the information and delete it entirely from the server. However, by knowing exactly what information has been compromised, steps can be taken to prevent further damage.

2. Monitoring services can prevent your data from being sold on the dark web

Software exist that can scan the dark web for the presence of information, and it is recommended that you make use of this. However, no technology can prevent information from being uploaded to the dark web. Internet security companies who promise this are unlikely to be able to deliver on their word.

3. Dark web monitoring services can make you invincible to all breaches

While dark web monitoring services can help you identify a breach of data or alert you to compromised credentials, they cannot keep you safe from fraud. Taking precautions while using online banking services and keeping yourself updated to the developments in the online security sector is also recommended.

Vigilance is important

About 7 million records are compromised and sold on the dark web on a daily basis. At such a high volume, scammers are experts in devising new ways to breach your privacy and compromise your internet security. Companies such as Norton can provide Dark Web Monitoring services that can help alert you to security breaches, however nothing works as well as caution and vigilance. It is important that passwords are changed regularly, and credit card and bank statements monitored and scanned carefully for anomalies that can indicate any breach of information.

Tech

Future Unfolding: Your Guide to the Hottest Upcoming Solana Projects

Published

1 month ago

July 19, 2025

Jonathan Grilli

If you’ve been peeking into the world of blockchain lately, you’ve probably heard whispers about some exciting upcoming Solana projects. And no, this isn’t just the usual crypto chatter. Solana’s unique combination of speed, scalability, and low fees has been turning heads in all the right ways. Now, a fresh wave of developers is flocking to the ecosystem—and what they’re building could shake up the whole game.

Whether you’re a casual investor, a tech-savvy early adopter, or just crypto-curious, knowing what’s around the corner can give you a serious edge. So grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s take a closer look at where Solana is headed—and which projects might just become the next big thing.

Why Solana, and Why Now?

Let’s face it: not all chains are created equal. While Ethereum paved the way, and Bitcoin proved the concept, Solana showed up to prove that blockchains could be fast—really fast—without costing an arm and a leg to use. With transaction speeds clocking in at 65,000 per second (yep, you read that right) and fees that cost less than a penny, it’s no wonder developers are pouring in.

More importantly, Solana’s infrastructure opens up real creative freedom. Think dynamic NFTs, high-performance games, instant DeFi transactions, and next-gen social platforms. It’s like going from dial-up to fiber optic. And when does that kind of power meet an ambitious dev community? Sparks fly.

The Landscape: What’s Already Built

Before we dive into what’s coming, let’s talk briefly about what’s already here. Solana is no stranger to heavy hitters. Projects like:

Phantom (one of the smoothest crypto wallets out there)
Magic Eden (a major NFT marketplace)
Serum (a decentralized exchange engine)

…have already helped solidify Solana as a serious player in the Web3 world. But even more exciting is what hasn’t launched yet—the next wave of innovation that’s currently under wraps, in beta, or being whispered about in dev channels and alpha groups.

Categories to Watch

Let’s break this down a bit. These upcoming projects aren’t just NFTs or DeFi. They span several categories, and each one is pushing boundaries in its own way.

1. Gaming on Solana

Blockchain gaming is no joke anymore. We’re talking full-blown metaverses, player-owned economies, and real-time experiences that don’t feel like retro arcade games.

Projects like Aurory and Star Atlas are leading the charge, but newer games like Eizper Chain and Synergy Land are gaining steam. They aim to blend AAA-style graphics with actual on-chain mechanics, where players earn, trade, and even govern the game’s economy. Imagine a gaming world where your loot actually means something.

2. Next-Gen DeFi Platforms

Solana’s speed is a dream for decentralized finance. It eliminates lag and lowers gas costs, making it more attractive for traders and builders alike.

Keep your eye on platforms like Zeta Markets (for options trading), Mango Markets V4 (the next iteration of Solana’s leveraged trading platform), and Drift Protocol, which is all about smart margin trading. These platforms are redesigning financial systems—not just copying them.

3. Social and Creator Economies

You know how creators are always looking for ways to monetize without getting gouged by middlemen? Solana’s low-fee, high-throughput nature makes it perfect for social and creator platforms.

Projects like Grape Protocol, Only1, and Dialect are cooking up decentralized alternatives to Instagram, Patreon, and WhatsApp. Instead of centralized platforms owning your audience, you do. Finally, some freedom in the feed.

4. Infrastructure and Tools

Not every exciting project is consumer-facing. Some of the most powerful tools are being built quietly in the background.

Look out for GenesysGo, Helius, and SolanaFM—they’re building things like RPC networks, data explorers, and indexing solutions that help the entire ecosystem run smoother. It’s like paving roads before the cars show up.

How to Spot a Winner

Okay, so you’re excited. But how do you separate future stars from vaporware?

Check the Team

Do they have experience? Are they doxxed? Are they shipping updates consistently? A solid team isn’t shy about transparency.

Look at the Community

Great projects build great tribes. Join their Discord. Scroll through their Twitter. Are people engaged, or is it just hype?

Watch for Utility

Does this project solve an actual problem or improve something that already exists? If it’s just a reskinned NFT mint or copy-paste DeFi fork, maybe move along.

Follow the Builders

Founders often share sneak peeks, updates, and philosophies that give you insight into where a project is heading. Social platforms like X, Farcaster, and even dev blogs can be surprisingly revealing.

How to Stay in the Loop

Alpha doesn’t wait for newsletters. If you want to stay ahead, plug into:

Solana Hacker Houses and hackathons (they often preview upcoming talent)
Podcasts like Solana Breakpoint or Lightspeed
Research-focused Discord servers and Telegram groups
GitHub activity and dev toolkits

This stuff moves fast, but not without leaving clues. Pay attention to who’s building, not just who’s trending.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Chase, Anticipate

When everyone talked about it, the train had probably left the station. The trick with upcoming Solana projects is to think like a scout, not a fan. You want to spot the early signals, the creative builders, and the untapped problems being solved in clever ways.

Solana’s ecosystem isn’t just expanding—it’s evolving. As more serious capital, creators, and developers enter the space, the opportunities multiply. Stay sharp, do your homework, and remember: the best projects often start quietly.

In a world full of copycats, bet on the originals. That’s where tomorrow’s magic lives.