A dark web marketplace is a site that allows cybercriminals to buy and sell stolen data, illegal drugs and hacking tools and services. These marketplaces operate using the darknet, which can only be accessed through Tor and other free software programs that anonymize Internet connections. A marketplace can range from a few thousand listings to tens of thousands, depending on its size and popularity. Most darknet markets are focused on one or more categories of illicit products, such as drugs, fake documents and fraud-related items, while others also offer things like erotica, counterfeit currencies and malware. Some even allow criminals to hire hitmen and professional spies.
Some people who frequent a darknet market simply use it as an online shopping platform, similar to eBay. But most are looking for a place to buy illicit products or services that can help them commit crimes. The main reason why the darknet is popular with criminals is that it offers near-untraceable transactions, making it hard for law enforcement to track activity on these sites.
For example, when you buy something on a darknet marketplace, your browser connects to several Tor exit nodes, encrypting the connection and shielding your identity from the site’s operator and other peers. You also typically pay for items in bitcoin, a digital currency that can’t be tracked.
To keep yourself safe, it’s important to understand how a darknet marketplace works before you go there. The first step is to install the necessary software. There are a number of ways to do this, Dark web markets but most people choose to use Tor, which is freely available and easy to use. You can get Tor by downloading the latest version of Firefox, or by searching for ‘onion router’ on a search engine.
Once you’re on the darknet, it’s a good idea to use a VPN program to hide your IP address, which can be traced by law enforcement. Also, it’s a good idea to disable JavaScript and Flash in your Tor browser, as these are commonly used by attackers to inject malware and exploits into systems.
Darknet markets are a popular choice for criminals because they offer a wide variety of illegal products and services. These marketplaces are managed by small teams of administrators who control both the product catalogue and the payment system. Most markets accept a mix of cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin and Monero. However, some of the more specialized markets only accept specific cryptos.
Some of the most popular darknet markets include Blacksprut, OMG!OMG! Market and Hydra, which accounted for 80% of the total economic value of darknet markets in 2022, according to threat intelligence firm Recorded Future. Hydra was shut down in early 2022 after it was disrupted by Western and Russian law-enforcement agencies (see: Hydra Darknet Market's Collapse Reveals Lessons for the Future).
In the wake of Hydra’s collapse, new markets have been introduced. The debut of these new markets, combined with a crackdown on carder markets, has led to a decline in the sector’s overall revenue. The decline is likely to continue as more markets are forced offline.
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