How Many Darknet Markets Are There?

The darknet, also known as the “deep web,” is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires special software to access. One of the most well-known aspects of the darknet is its use as a marketplace for illegal goods and services. These marketplaces, known as “darknet markets,” operate on the Tor network and allow users to buy and sell drugs, weapons, stolen data, and other illicit items with relative anonymity.

The Ever-Changing Landscape of Darknet Markets

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The number of darknet markets is constantly in flux, as new ones pop up and old ones are shut down by law enforcement. According to a report by the Recorded Future, there were 49 active darknet markets as of January 2021. However, this number is likely to have changed since then, as some markets have been taken down and new ones have emerged.

Because of the range of goods and services found for sale and the conversations that occur around these sales, dark web marketplaces can be precious sources of data on criminal activity. 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. Others, like Dark0de and World Market, are believed to have pulled “exit scams,” disappearing suddenly with their users’ money. Still others, like Cannazon and White House Market, staged more considerate and organized exits, giving users time to pull out any funds held on the sites.

Factors Affecting the Number of Darknet Markets

Customer Interactions

Several factors can affect the number of darknet markets, including:

• Law enforcement actions: When law enforcement agencies successfully take down a darknet market, it can lead to a decrease in the overall number of markets.
• Technological developments: New technologies, such as decentralized marketplaces or cryptocurrencies, can make it easier for darknet markets to operate and thus lead to an increase in their number.
• User demand: The demand for illegal goods and services on the darknet can also affect the number of markets. If there is a high demand for a particular item, it is more likely that a market will emerge to meet that demand.

What Are Darknet Markets?

FAQs

For example, warnings about scammers could directly influence the activity of vendors and customers on a given darknet market (Howell et al., 2022). The target group of the research, composed of potential customers, ranked the reliable delivery of goods (TF 18) as the most important trust factor when buying illicit drugs on the darknet. Although this survey study was not conducted among actual darknet market users, our findings and its extensive support by previous literature suggest that delivery issues indeed drive the recent stall in the volume of the darknet drug trade. Therefore, actual darknet market users who have the required technical knowledge would perhaps assess these factors differently. The lack of technical knowledge and the assessment of other elements of anonymity and encryption suggest that risk perception related to data loss can be effectively influenced in the study’s target population. An example is Operation Bayonet, in which law enforcement agencies took over an entire darknet market and obtained user data, thus effectively reducing the activity of vendors and customers (Bradley & Stringhini, 2019).

What is the largest darknet market?

As of January 2021, the largest darknet market was Hydra, with an estimated 2.2 million users and a total transaction volume of $1.3 billion in 2020.

How do darknet markets work?

Darknet markets operate on the Tor network, which allows users to access them using the Tor browser. These markets typically use cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, for transactions, which makes it difficult for law enforcement to trace the flow of money. Vendors on these markets typically use pseudonyms and do not reveal their real identities.

Are darknet markets safe?

Using darknet markets can be risky, as they are often used for illegal activities and can be targeted by law enforcement. Additionally, there is always the risk of being scammed by a vendor or having your personal information stolen. It is important to exercise caution when using darknet markets and to only use reputable and well-established markets.

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How can I access darknet markets?

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• In May of the same year, AlphaBay announced the integration of the escrow system and digital contracts.
• Law enforcement crackdowns targeting the dark web have increased and generated substantial wins in the last year.
• White House Market is a dark web marketplace that enforces the use of PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption to just browse the site.
• In 2013, the FBI shut down a dark web marketplace called Silk Road, founded by a young man in Texas named Ross Ulbricht.
• A lot of the breached data that can be purchased through Dark Web markets for cryptocurrency is very dangerous in the wrong hands.
• SOCRadar Labs will help you to create a free dark web report on your company’s data exposed on DWMs.

To access darknet markets, you will need to use the Tor browser, which can be downloaded from the official Tor Project website. Once you have the Tor browser installed, you can use it to access darknet markets by visiting their onion URLs.

Is it illegal to access darknet markets?

Accessing darknet markets is not necessarily illegal, as long as you are not buying or selling illegal goods or services. However, it is important to note that many darknet markets are used for illegal activities and that accessing them can put you at risk of being involved in illegal activities.

Can darknet markets be shut down?

Yes, darknet markets can be shut down by law enforcement agencies. This can happen when law enforcement is able to identify and locate the servers hosting the market, or when they are able to identify and arrest the individuals running the market. However, it is difficult to completely shut down a darknet market, as new ones can easily emerge to take its place.

How do I protect myself when using darknet markets?

When using darknet markets, it is important to take steps to protect yourself, such as:

Hitmen for Hire – Finally, darknet markets are also home to a range of illegal services, including hitmen for hire. These services are often scams, but they can also be real, and pose a significant threat to public safety. In response, cybersecurity professionals, law enforcement agencies, and policymakers around the world are working to combat this growing menace.

• Using a VPN to hide your IP address
• Using a secure and unique password for each market
• Only using reputable and well-established markets
• Being cautious when dealing with vendors and not sharing personal information
• Using a dedicated computer or device for accessing darknet markets

Conclusion

The number of darknet markets is constantly changing, as new ones emerge and old ones are taken down by law enforcement. While it is difficult to determine the exact number of active darknet markets at any given time, it is clear that they continue to be a significant aspect of the darknet. It is important to exercise caution when using darknet markets and to be aware of the risks involved.