Illicit Services
Yet in August of last year, AlphaBay’s number-two administrator and security specialist, publicly known only as DeSnake, suddenly reappeared, announcing AlphaBay’s resurrection in a new and improved form. Now, 10 months later, thanks in part to a tumult of takedowns and the mysterious disappearances of competing dark web markets, DeSnake’s reincarnated AlphaBay is now well on its way to its former heights atop the digital underworld. Considering the recent growth, Dark Web Markets will likely reach larger transaction volumes. In addition to illegal products such as drugs, these black markets, which are marketed in data sets, data leaks, malware, and exploits, pose a significant danger to every institution. AlphaBay operated as a hidden service on the “Tor” network, and utilized cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Monero and Ethereum in order to hide the locations of its underlying servers and the identities of its administrators, moderators, and users. Based on law enforcement’s investigation of AlphaBay, authorities believe the site was also used to launder hundreds of millions of dollars deriving from illegal transactions on the website.
The Silk Road market operated on the Tor network, which masks your identity through IP address anonymity and encryption technology, while allowing you to find other websites on the dark web. Within the Tor network, customers could access the Silk Road, then anonymously connect with vendors to buy illegal goods with cryptocurrency. The Silk Road defined its name based on the historical network of trade routes between Asia, the Middle East, East Africa, and Europe. And although the Silk Road hasn’t operated for years, it laid the foundation for other darknet markets to follow. Today, the Silk Road is an important case study when analyzing the growth of other dark web markets.
Understanding the Dark Web Market
The dark web market refers to a network of online marketplaces that operate on the dark web, using anonymous software such as Tor to ensure privacy and security for users. These markets often facilitate the buying and selling of illegal goods and services, making them a magnet for those seeking anonymity.
However, the most striking ones regarding cybercrime in terms of numbers are DDoS for hire services, RDP accesses, and credentials. Advertised as “the most advanced darknet market ever,” OMG primarily provides illegal drugs, but also offers products like hacking utilities, banking information, and more. It first became active in early July 2020, with deposit volumes so low it appeared to be less of a darknet market and more a personal operation. However, nearly as soon as Hydra shut down, OMG began seeing high inflows for the first time, more than half of which came from Hydra counterparties. 2Easy is a quickly-growing dark web marketplace that’s based around a similar concept as the Genesis Market. The market now has an established reputation among cybercriminals, which means that any stolen credentials for sale on there are likely to provide valid access to systems, services, or apps.
Characteristics of the Dark Web Market
There are several defining features of the dark web market that make it distinct from the surface web:
Many of these Dark Web black markets are used for illegal activities, like buying and selling drugs, weapons, confidential documents and illegal services. While you may not be in the market for any of these items, it’s important to understand how the Dark Web and its black markets work so that you can better protect yourself and your organization. It is one of the newest markets on the darknet and it particularly specializes in digital goods.
- Anonymity: Users can maintain their privacy through encryption and the use of pseudonyms.
- Crypto Transactions: Many transactions are conducted using cryptocurrencies, mitigating the risk of tracing financial exchanges.
- Varied Offerings: Goods sold range from drugs and weapons to hacking services and stolen data.
- Decentralized Nature: Many dark web markets operate independently, making them difficult to shut down.
Another example would be your email or social media account – the websites or platforms are both searchable, but your actual personal messages and information are not searchable for any user. One of the clues unearthed by the trawl of CyberBunker’s servers was related to the ownership of DarkMarket. In May, 2020, an online-crime unit in the northern German city of Oldenburg was asked to investigate. British, American, and Australian forces then helped to follow the clues to verify real-world information about them. The investigation of DarkMarket was spurred by another, much larger German police investigation into an organization called CyberBunker, which I wrote about in the magazine last year.
SecurityWeek reports that more than $3 million worth of cryptocurrency has been stolen by North Korean hackers collectively tracked as the Lazarus Group since its emergence in 2017. If you decide to venture to the Dark Web and browse the markets, don’t buy anything. Remember, everything that’s being sold is illegal and most likely dangerous.
Common Items Found in the Dark Web Market
These marketplaces are well-known for a variety of illegal products and services, including but not limited to:
- Illegal drugs: Cannabis, opioids, and other controlled substances.
- Stolen data: Credit card information, personal data, and login credentials.
- Weapons: Firearms and other military-grade equipment.
- Fake documents: Passports, identification cards, and diplomas.
- Hacking services: Denial-of-service attacks, spyware, and phishing kits.
The Risks Involved
Participating in the dark web market can be perilous. Users face numerous risks, including:
- The general volatility of darknet markets has led to calls for further decentralization of transactions to protect both buyers and vendors.
- While defining the dark web — which is different from the deep web — is a bit more complicated than just onion services, and while Tor Browser is not the only anonymous browsing option, onion services represent a significant portion of the dark web.
- Hydra’s money laundering features were so in-demand that some users would set up shell vendor accounts for the express purpose of running money through Hydra’s bitcoin wallets as a laundering technique.
- This overall growth in the TOR network has propelled the growth of dark web markets due to its expanding user base.
- This is even obligatory if you are a DNM vendor and you want to update information about you in R.
- Thus, almost 80% of counterfeits listed were represented by only five (of the 16) categories of products.
- Legal consequences: Engaging in illegal activities can lead to criminal charges.
- Scams: Many users fall victim to fraudulent vendors.
- Security threats: Exposure to malware and other cyber threats is common.
- Loss of anonymity: Law enforcement agencies may track users engaging in illegal transactions.
FAQs About the Dark Web Market
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires specialized software, like Tor, to access.
Is everything on the dark web market illegal?
While many items and services are illegal, there are also legitimate uses for the dark web, such as privacy protection and safe communication in oppressive regimes.
How do users access the dark web market?
Users typically download Tor browser to access the dark web. They must also find the specific dark web market URL on forums or through word of mouth.
Are there alternatives to the dark web market?
Yes, there are legitimate online marketplaces that sell legal goods and services, providing safer and more secure environments for users.
The dark web market is a complex and often misunderstood part of the internet. While it offers anonymity and access to illicit goods, the inherent risks and legal implications make participation in these markets perilous. Staying informed and understanding these dynamics is essential for anyone considering exploring this hidden realm.
