How Do Cybercriminals Use Darknet Markets?

Darknet markets, also known as “dark web markets,” are online marketplaces that operate on the dark web, a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and is only accessible through special software such as the Tor browser. These markets are often used by cybercriminals to buy and sell illegal goods and services, including drugs, weapons, stolen data, and hacking tools.

What are Darknet Markets?

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Darknet markets are similar to traditional e-commerce websites, but they are designed to provide anonymity and privacy to their users. They are often used to sell illegal goods and services that are not available on the surface web, such as drugs, weapons, stolen data, and hacking tools. These markets are typically accessible only through the Tor network, which provides anonymity and privacy to its users by routing internet traffic through a series of volunteer-run servers around the world.

They also use fake email addresses and phone numbers to register on dark web marketplaces and forums, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track their activities. The dark web, notorious for its illicit activities, dark web monitoring services has evolved into a bustling marketplace for various illegal purposes. It serves as a hub for cybercriminals, offering opportunities for stolen data transactions, hacking services, and collaborations in nefarious activities.

The Future Of Darknet Markets

How Do Cybercriminals Use Darknet Markets?

Cybercriminals use darknet markets to buy and sell illegal goods and services, such as:

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• Drugs: Darknet markets are often used to sell illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. These how to buy fentanyl drugs are often sold in small quantities to individual buyers, who can then resell them on the street or use them themselves.

Most of this total is driven by cryptocurrency services that were sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), or are located in sanctioned jurisdictions, and can continue to operate because they’re in jurisdictions where U.S. sanctions are not enforced. Similarly, this year’s growth in darknet market revenue also comes after a 2022 decline in revenue. That decline was driven largely by the shutdown of Hydra, which was once the world’s most dominant market by far, capturing over 90% of all darknet market revenue at its peak.

• Weapons: Darknet markets are also used to sell illegal weapons such as guns, knives, and explosives. These weapons are often sold to individuals who are not able to purchase them legally, such as felons or minors.
• Stolen data: Darknet markets are a popular place for cybercriminals to sell stolen data, such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and login credentials. This data is often obtained through hacking, phishing, or other types of cybercrime.
• Hacking tools: Darknet markets are also used to sell hacking tools, such as malware, ransomware, and exploit kits. These tools are often used by cybercriminals to launch attacks on individuals, businesses, and organizations.

To some extent, thus, it is a tool used worldwide (85 countries) with over one thousand publications (as of April 2022) in the last four years (2018–2022), with an increased rate on average of 91.94% (Bibliometrix 2022). In technical, bibliometrics provides diverse pathways for importing bibliographic data from Scopus, WoS, PubMed, and Cochrane databases (Aria and Cuccurullo 2017). However, merging WoS and Scopus collections with others, which are very different approaches to codifying the bibliographic metadata, is a complex task without open-access software (Aria and Cuccurullo 2017). Thus, the current study uses the Biblioshiny app, a web-based app included in the bibliometric package to support plain text files for WoS, to analyze and build data matrices for co-citation, coupling, scientific collaboration, and others (Fig. 2). With Biblioshiny, bibliometrics has become very user-friendly, even for those with no coding skills and knowledge, including myself (Aria and Cuccurullo 2017). The dark web is increasingly becoming corporate in various areas, such as hacking, recruitment and technology services.

FAQs

What is the difference between the dark web and the deep web?

Their geographical markets are no longer limited to Western countries when they expand to Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa (UNODC 2022a, b). Although darknet markets accounted for a small share of drug transactions, their smoldering activities have been maintained over the past years (Décary-Hétu and Giommoni 2017; Demant et al. 2018a, b; Lacson and Jones 2016; Martin 2014a, 2014b). Data collection on 38 major global darknet markets, 2011–2021, reflected that user interfaces increasingly allow vendors as friendly options as possible. For instance, they can bulk order and combine orders of different products into one and/or multiple shipments daily (UNODC 2022a). As a result, it makes it more difficult for law enforcement to find and triage priority threats.

• These markets, accessible only through specific software, provide a platform for buyers and sellers to engage in transactions without revealing their identities or locations.
• Eternos will be available on AspaNET, but it is uncertain if it will also be available on other darknets (like TOR and I2P) or if it will be an AspaNET exclusive.
• Otherwise, it can lead to several types of attacks against your business systems.
• Other studies have explored the ethical implications of using cryptocurrencies for illegal purposes and the potential for regulation to address this issue [77].

The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and is only accessible through special software such as the Tor browser. The deep web, on the other hand, is the part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines, but is still accessible through a regular web browser. The deep web includes content that is behind paywalls, such as academic journals, as well as private networks and databases.

Payments on the dark web are made using cryptocurrencies, and illegally obtained goods are often delivered using gig worker delivery services, which are harder to trace than the postal service. The most common browser is called TOR, which is also known as the “The Onion Router”. In Australia and New Zealand, it is not illegal to access the TOR network – but accessing its forums can be. Following Hydra’s demise, Flashpoint found that a pro-Ukrainian faction had migrated to RuTor, backed by marketplace OMGOMG – aka OMG!

Is it illegal to access the dark web?

No, it is not illegal to access the dark web. However, many of the activities that take place on the dark web are illegal, such as buying and selling drugs, weapons, and stolen data. It is important to be aware of the risks associated with accessing the dark web and to use caution when doing so.

How can I access the dark web?

The dark web can be accessed using special software such as the Tor browser. This browser routes internet traffic through a series of volunteer-run servers around the world, providing anonymity and privacy to its users. It is important to note that accessing the dark web can be risky, as many of the activities that take place on the dark web are illegal.

How can I stay safe on the dark web?

To stay safe on the dark web, it is important to use caution and to take steps to protect your privacy and security. This includes using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection, using strong and unique passwords, and avoiding suspicious websites and links. It is also important to be aware of the risks associated with accessing the dark web and to use caution when doing so.