How Users Safely Access Dark Web Marketplaces
Over the past year, several major marketplaces with total sales of over $1 billion have shuttered in this way. Another notable STYX Marketplace cash-out vendor is “Wonderland service”. This threat actor charges 50% commission on the amount of funds laundered via financial institutions based in UAE.
Almost everything else you can imagine that’s illegal is sold in Dark Web markets too. After Silk Road’s demise, a number of other darknet markets emerged to take its place. These included sites like Agora, Evolution, and AlphaBay, which quickly became popular among both buyers and sellers.
Resecurity identified multiple underground vendors providing cash-out services from stolen VCC, banking, e-commerce and cryptocurrency exchange accounts. The Darknet, often shrouded in mystery, is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and inaccessible through regular search engines. It operates on encrypted networks and requires specific software, like Tor, to access. Darknet platforms offer anonymity, fostering both legal and illegal activities.
7 we plot the distribution of listings per vendor in log-log plot, showing a clear power-law shape with exponent −2.0. 7, we show the histogram using linear spacing, through which we understand that most vendors sold very few COVID-19 specific listings, while few vendors going as high as 91 different listings. We noted that 80% of the vendors had indeed less or equal than 5 listings. In Table 8 we provide a Table reporting the different COVID-19 related medicines which were found in the listings. The medicines were selected as they have been found or claimed to be effective against COVID-19 [32]. The number of listings related to each medicine is also reported, noting that some listings sell more than one medicine (e.g. listings selling both hydroxychloroquine and azitrhomycin).
Exploring the Darkweb Marketplace
Examples of these web domains were “coronavintheworld.com,” “covid-conspiracy.net,” and “coronavirusmasks.in.” Prices of these domains were low and less than 10 USD. We anticipate that our work will interest a wide audience and spark new research. Future research work may further explore the behaviour of DWMs over time, potentially extending the spectrum of monitored goods and relating the observed trends to specific social changes. Policy makers and public agencies (especially those focused on protecting consumer rights and health) can use our findings to better assess and shape the effects of legislation on the shadow economy [98]. Practitioners may gain insights on how DWMs posit additional threats to public health.
The Infinity Forum launched in January 2023 as a forum founded by Killmilk, the former leader of the KillNet threat group, and comprised of members of Russian hacktivists and threat actors. Infinity, which researchers traced back to November of the previous year, was a Telegram group. The forum brings together many Russian hacker groups and the cyber underground world. Although it has similarities with other Russian-speaking forums and markets, Infinity members are discussing and making operational decisions in line with their political views. To add another layer of safety, we operated by running virtual machines, deployed via VirtualBox, on burner laptops, and configured them to further encrypt our information. Virtual machines, which by nature operate at a distance from the actual hardware of the laptop, shielded our physical equipment from being compromised by potential cyber-attacks.
The darkweb marketplace has gained significant attention over the past decade, becoming synonymous with hidden commerce that operates beyond the reach of conventional law enforcement. This online realm hosts a variety of goods and services, often illicit in nature, that cater to a diverse audience.
Understanding the Darkweb Marketplace
Before accessing the dark web or running any scripts for data collection, we first connected to VPNs to hide our locations and protect our identities. VPNs work by encrypting a user’s traffic and hiding a user’s IP address during client-server interactions, making a user’s real location and browsing data untraceable [4]. For this project, we used NordVPN to source our virtual private networks due to the service’s advanced dark web protection features. More specifically, in the event that a user becomes vulnerable to data breaches or other security threats on the dark web, NordVPN immediately notifies the user and offers additional protective features to keep the user secure [19].
To navigate the complexities of a darkweb marketplace, it’s essential to understand its structure and the technology that supports it. The dark web consists of a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines, accessed through specific software such as Tor.
Key Features of Darkweb Marketplaces
- Anonymity: Users typically trade in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to protect their identities.
- Variety of Goods: These marketplaces offer everything from illegal drugs to counterfeit documents, hacking services, and more.
- Rating Systems: Sellers are often rated by buyers, which helps to foster a sense of trust, albeit a limited one in a shady environment.
- Escrow Services: Many marketplaces employ escrow systems to protect both buyers and sellers from fraud.
Common Types of Items Found in a Darkweb Marketplace
- Illegal Drugs: Various substances are sold, complete with user reviews and price comparisons.
- Stolen Data: Personal information, hacked accounts, and stolen credit card details are common commodities.
- Counterfeit Items: Fake currencies, documents, and luxury goods are often available.
- Assassination Services: Services that are more theoretical but marketed on some platforms.
Dangers and Risks Involved
- Most weeks, all relevant categories from each website could be fully scraped, but at times we were only able to access partial information due to slow or inconsistent website access.
- By contrast, more established strains can go for $100 or more.In the context of these dark market ads, ransomware developers have traditionally sought to recruit affiliates to the RaaS schemes.
- After the FBI shut down Silk Road in 2013 [17], new DWMs quickly appeared, offering drugs, firearms, credit cards, and fake IDs [14].
- It’s also possible to attract the attention of criminals or other unfriendly individuals, like hackers.
- Vendors on Hydra also offered services such as “Hacking for Hire,” “Ransomware as a Service” (“RaaS”), and a myriad of money laundering features.
Engaging with a darkweb marketplace is fraught with risk, including:
- Legal Repercussions: Purchasing illegal goods can lead to criminal charges.
- Fraud: Many buyers face scams where sellers disappear after receiving payment.
- Cybersecurity Threats: Users risk exposure to malware and hacking attempts.
FAQs about the Darkweb Marketplace
What is the dark web?
The dark web refers to parts of the internet that are not indexed and require specific software, like Tor, to access.
How can I access a dark web marketplace?
To access a darkweb marketplace, you’ll need to download Tor Browser and find specific URLs for marketplaces hosted on .onion domains.
Is it safe to shop on the dark web?
No, shopping on the darkweb marketplace poses significant risks, including scams, legal issues, and personal data theft.
What can I buy on the dark web?
Items range widely, including illegal drugs, hacking services, and counterfeit products.
Conclusion
The darkweb marketplace represents a unique intersection of technology and human behavior, showcasing both the entrepreneurial spirit and the darker side of internet usage. While it may be tempting for some to explore this hidden part of the web, understanding the risks and ethical implications is crucial for anyone considering engagement in such activities.
