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Introduction to the Dark Web Marketplace
On a recent visit to Dread, we discovered that the ViceCity dark web market was in the middle of an exit scam. At the same time, the Abacus market, which provides everything from guns and drugs to stolen data, forged documents, and hacker services, had almost perfect customer reviews for its criminal marketplace. Dread offers feedback percentages and ratings like many clear web sites vendors. This enables dark net vendors to develop their reputation among criminals. Dark web marketplaces (or “dark markets”) are commercial websites which specialise in trading illicit goods.
The dark web marketplace has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its association with illegal activities and the anonymity it provides to users. Unlike the surface web, which is accessible to everyone, the dark web requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access.
Generally, these types of attacks are ongoing and marketplace operators must remain vigilant to ensure their own safety, as well as that of their users. Law enforcement agencies around the world are looking to curb illicit activity on the Dark Web, in particular related to drugs, weapons and illegal pornography. While seizures and arrests occur on a regular basis, Dark Web markets are a scourge that will not be cured. Through online investigative efforts and the concerted activities of different agencies, the problem can be addressed but it will not disappear. Investigators gain access to new technology and devise new methods to research their targets. At the same time, malicious actors on the Dark Web adapt and innovate new ways to thwart identification and prosecution.
The news shocked it’s users, in the home the page the market place displays the notice and diverting users to the partner company and the new site to be live soon. Darknet markets set a new revenue record in 2020, bringing in a total of $1.7 billion worth of cryptocurrency—most of which was in Bitcoin (BTC). Users who purchase products can provide feedback ratings on quality, delivery, and service on a scale from 1-5 to further establish vendor credibility. The veracity of the information posted is unclear and could easily be falsified.
In this way, buyers could select their victims and hire professional hackers to gain access to the victims’ communications and take over the victims’ accounts. One type of criminal marketplace there specializes in buying and selling illegal items, such as drugs, firearms and fraudulently obtained gift cards. The darknet, the hidden part of the internet that can only be accessed by a special browser, has long been home to various criminal marketplaces and forums. The Dark Web Price Index 2023 reveals that most items and services tracked over the past three years experienced significant decreases in pricing.
A darknet marketplace consumer can also purchase any number of basic network protocols and tools for maintaining anonymity such as anonymous servers, VPNs and bulk proxies. This package is advertised to include KONBOOT authentication bypass, Oxygen Forensics which retrieves deleted texts and extracts data from all the popular mobile-phone cloud providers. Because of the range of goods and services found for sale, as well as the conversations that occur around these sales, dark web marketplaces can be immensely valuable sources of data on criminal activity. As such, they are normally under intense scrutiny from law enforcement and security professionals alike. Four of the top five most successful darknet markets focused on illicit substance sales. The fifth, a platform called “Brian Dumps,” is the only one among the top underground marketplaces dealing in stolen credit card and other personally identifying information (PII), a business model Chainalysis calls a “fraud shop.”
Given the potential uses of identified Bitcoin data, rigorous investigation and avoidance of false positives is crucial. If an address does not meet all the conditions required by the clustering and identification heuristics, it will be tagged as “unnamed”. This means that some addresses belonging to a dark marketplace administrator or dark marketplace users are not included in our dataset (see more information on our dataset in Supplementary Information Section S1). AlphaBay’s quick growth—or regrowth—has been fueled in part by what Gray calls “the Great Cyber Resignation.” At least 10 dark web markets have dropped offline for various reasons in the last 18 months.
Understanding the Dark Web
The dark web is a part of the deep web, which includes all parts of the internet that are not indexed by traditional search engines. Accessing the dark web marketplace typically requires the Tor browser, a tool designed to improve privacy and security online.
Key characteristics of the dark web include:
- Anonymity: Both buyers and sellers can operate under pseudonyms, making transactions difficult to trace.
- Crypto Transactions: Most dealings are conducted using cryptocurrencies to maintain anonymity, with Bitcoin being the most popular.
- Variety of Goods: Products and services ranging from illegal drugs and weapons to legal digital goods are available.
Popular Dark Web Marketplaces
Several notable dark web marketplaces have emerged over the years, some of which gained notoriety due to their size and the range of goods offered. Here are a few examples:
- Silk Road: One of the first major dark web marketplaces, known for its wide selection of illicit drugs.
- AlphaBay: A popular platform prior to its shutdown in 2017, offering a vast array of unlawful products.
- Dream Market: Notable for its longevity, it ceased operations in 2019 but was well-known for a wide selection of goods.
How Dark Web Marketplaces Operate
The operation of a dark web marketplace involves several crucial steps:
- Registration: Users must create accounts, often requiring an invitation or additional verification.
- Listing Products: Vendors post products with descriptions, prices, and delivery options.
- Transactions: Use of cryptocurrency ensures that payments remain anonymous, keeping both parties’ identities concealed.
- Delivery: Products are typically delivered through the postal service, sometimes using disguises or false addresses.
Risks of Engaging in Dark Web Marketplaces
While the allure of the dark web marketplace can be tempting, there are significant risks involved:
- While cybercrime issues have played a part before and during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it appears unlikely that the take-down of Hydra is related to these recent developments.
- As we detail below, Flashpoint observed a considerable decrease in the volume of money being handled by crypto wallets linked to dark web markets.
- Dark web markets are notorious for selling a variety of illegal goods.
- Hydra Market, which started operating on the encrypted and anonymous dark web in 2015, made up 80% of darknet sales and brought in about $5.2 billion in cryptocurrency, according to the U.S.
- Legal Consequences: Engaging in illegal transactions can lead to serious criminal charges.
- Scams: Many marketplaces are riddled with fraudulent sellers, and there is little recourse for victims.
- Security Risks: Users might expose themselves to malware or hacking attempts.
FAQs about Dark Web Marketplaces
What are the main products sold on dark web marketplaces?
The primary offerings include illicit drugs, counterfeit items, hacking services, and stolen data. However, some marketplaces also feature legal goods like digital services and privacy tools.
Is it safe to use a dark web marketplace?
While anonymity is a prime characteristic, using dark web marketplaces can be risky due to legal implications and potential scams.
Can you access dark web marketplaces without using Tor?
No, accessing dark web marketplaces requires specific privacy-focused browsers like Tor, which anonymizes user activity.
Conclusion
The dark web marketplace presents a complex and often dangerous environment. While it offers opportunities for anonymity and unique products, the associated risks and legal ramifications cannot be overlooked. Caution is essential for anyone considering venturing into this hidden part of the internet.
