LMG Security Staff Writer
Understanding Dark Web Marketplaces
The dark web marketplaces are concealed areas of the internet that require specific software to access, most notably the Tor browser. These marketplaces serve as platforms for the buying and selling of illegal goods and services.
Sellers and buyers prefer cryptocurrencies as they’re harder to trace and make payments more anonymous. A crypto wallet is required to make transactions involving Bitcoin and Monero. As a result, you must know how to set up a wallet and send cryptocurrency to other wallets.
Due to their anonymity and unregulated nature, dark web marketplaces have become notorious for various illegal activities, including the trade of drugs, weapons, stolen data, and counterfeit products.
This implies that the owner of the Bitcoin funds requires multiple signatures to perform a transaction. This feature is intended to make the financial operations even more secure. Users on the darknet marketplace used cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, Litecoin, Monero and Zcash to pay for illicit goods, with the operators receiving a 3% commission payment for processing sales via the platform. According to a press release from German police, the operators of Kingdom Market are accused of operating a criminal trading platform on the internet and of illicit trafficking of narcotics. DWMs are also communication platforms, where users can meet and chat with other users either directly—using Whatsapp, phone, or email—or through specialised forums. We estimate that the trading volume of U2U pairs meeting on DWMs is increasing, reaching a peak in 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic).
How Dark Web Marketplaces Work
The only exposed link in the chain is the delivery of the goods via the postal system. Darknet markets are dark web black markets that sell illegal goods and frequently accept cryptocurrencies as payment. Although some products available for purchase are legal, illicit goods such as drugs, stolen information, and weapons are common in these markets. We also found several fake sites impersonating popular dark web marketplaces that have popped up. These fake marketplaces are used for obtaining financial information and credentials from unsuspecting users. In findings set to be published Tuesday, the threat intelligence company Recorded Future sought to map the number of so-called .onion sites reachable via the anonymity browser Tor.
Dark web marketplaces utilize a variety of technologies to maintain user anonymity and secure transactions:
- Encryption: Messages and transactions are secured, making it difficult for law enforcement to trace users.
- Cryptocurrency: Transactions are typically conducted with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to further enhance anonymity.
- Escrow systems: Most marketplaces operate an escrow system which holds the buyer’s payment until the seller provides the goods or services as promised.
Could you just list out these dark web marketplaces and ask your security team to keep an eye on them? That’s certainly one strategy for dark web monitoring, but it can be inefficient, time-consuming, and lacks coverage for other marketplaces. Furthermore, other value-driven security tasks are likely to suffer when teams have to manually browse these marketplaces and hunt for threats or signs of your digital footprint. The ever-changing nature of dark web marketplaces makes it vital to stay on top of the main sites worth monitoring.
The most active marketplace in terms of number of users and traded volume is AlphaBay, followed by Hydra. Nonetheless, threat actors adapted, with many choosing to move to the “RuTor” forum for communications and to decentralized platforms such as Telegram-based shops for drug advertisements, as well as offline sales. Russian-speaking DNM customers were historically frequent users of RuTor, where they would exchange information. In fact, much of the Russian-language DNM ecosystem emerged from such forums. However, in the wake of Hydra’s takedown many Russian vendors set up independent vendor shops and automated Telegram shops employing Telegram shop bots, although this did not imply a wholesale move away from DNMs.
- From drugs and counterfeit currency to stolen data and hacking tools, the array of products available on dark web marketplaces is extensive.
- Finally, we are seeing that the main active markets would never win any web design competition.
- Followed by medicines with 33 USD, guides on scamming with 75 USD, fake medical records with 130 USD, tests with 250 USD, medical frauds with 275 USD, and ventilators with 1400 USD.
- Vendors or buyers having trouble with the site can reach out and ask for assistance at any time, report technical issues, vendor problems, and scams.
- A globe-spanning group of law enforcement agencies took down DarkMarket, an underground dark web marketplace.
- The deep web is about 90% of the internet, while the dark web makes up about 5%.
Popular Types of Goods and Services on Dark Web Marketplaces
Ericka Chickowski specializes in coverage of information technology and business innovation. She has focused on information security for the better part of a decade and regularly writes about the security industry as a contributor to Dark Reading. Join Dark Reading LIVE for two days of practical cyber defense discussions. Telegram, Discord, Whatsapp grow in popularity as criminals look for more alternatives to fly under the radar. Phishing exploit kits sold on DWMs are increasingly packaged with dedicated support to help the buyer customize the design of phishing lookalike webpage.
So, is it the last stronghold of privacy on the Internet or a safe house for criminals? DarkMarket also advertised itself as being the only such site administered exclusively by women. This was an intriguing boast—a prosecutor told me it was made to gain users’ trust—but it was untrue. DarkMarket’s thirty-four-year-old founder and administrator was apparently an Australian man, who was arrested last weekend near the German-Danish border. The police referred to him only as Julian K. Shortly after Julian K.’s arrest, DarkMarket was shuttered by the German police. On the site, a graphic appeared, showing an insect with a female face—a logo for DarkMarket—underneath a flyswatter.
While many goods and services available on dark web marketplaces are illegal, the types vary widely:
- Drugs: Various narcotics, legal highs, and prescription medications are commonly traded.
- Stolen Data: Personal information, credit card details, and corporate data are frequently sold.
- Counterfeit Items: Fake documents, currency, and luxury goods are also available.
- Hacking Services: Services that offer hacking into various systems for a fee.
Risks Associated with Dark Web Marketplaces
Engaging with dark web marketplaces comes with significant risks:
- Legal Repercussions: Buyers and sellers may face severe legal actions if caught.
- Scams: Many sellers do not deliver the promised goods, leading to financial losses.
- Malware: Downloading files from these marketplaces can expose users to harmful software.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and can only be accessed through specialized software like Tor.
How do I access dark web marketplaces?
To access dark web marketplaces, users typically need the Tor browser, which anonymizes their online activity.
Are all dark web marketplaces illegal?
Most are engaged in illegal activities; however, some may provide legal goods or services.
Can I get caught if I buy from dark web marketplaces?
Yes, law enforcement agencies monitor these platforms, and individuals can face serious legal consequences.
How can I stay safe on the dark web?
Use strong encryption, avoid sharing personal information, and be cautious about the sites and services you engage with.
The Future of Dark Web Marketplaces
The dark web marketplaces landscape is constantly evolving. With ongoing law enforcement efforts and the development of new technologies, these marketplaces may adapt and find new ways to operate, potentially becoming more elusive and difficult to regulate.
As more awareness is raised regarding dark web marketplaces, the debate surrounding privacy, security, and legality will continue to grow, making it an important topic of discussion for the future of the internet.
