The web's sleazy underbelly and safety turtle

August 29, 2002

BusinessWeek investigates the The Underground Web

Warning: You are about to enter the dark side of the Internet. It's a place where crime is rampant and every twisted urge can be satisfied. Thousands of virtual streets are lined with casinos, porn shops, and drug dealers. Scam artists and terrorists skulk behind seemingly lawful Web sites. And cops wander through once in a while, mostly looking lost.

I'm not particularly worried about gambling, drugs, porn, or credit card fraud online now that the FTC is going to do something. The commission plans to unveil Dewie the Turtle, who will be "teaching kids to take precautions when they are on the computer, traveling the InternetÕs many avenues to information."