Are Darknet Markets Still a Thing?

“More and more people are aware of the ease of accessing them, and we are seeing the number of users rise quite dramatically,” said Dana Haynie, professor of sociology and director of Ohio State’s Criminal Justice Research Center. It’s a risky business buying illegal drugs, and more people are turning to the dark web to do so. Law enforcement agencies keep an ear to the ground on the dark web looking for stolen data from recent security breaches that might lead to a trail to the perpetrators. Many mainstream media organizations monitor whistleblower sites looking for news. You can conduct discussions about current events anonymously on Intel Exchange.

In recent years, there has been a lot of buzz around darknet markets, also known as “cryptomarkets.” These online marketplaces are accessible only through the Tor network and other anonymizing services, making them a popular choice for buying and selling illegal goods and services. However, with the increasing crackdown on these markets by law enforcement agencies and the rise of alternative platforms, one might wonder: dark web sex?

The Rise and Fall of Darknet Markets

Dark Web Monitoring Services

Darknet markets first emerged in the early 2010s, following the success of the Silk Road, the first major darknet market. At their peak, these markets were estimated to generate billions of dollars in sales each year, with thousands of vendors offering a wide range of products, from drugs and weapons to stolen data and hacking tools. However, the popularity of darknet markets also attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies, leading to numerous high-profile busts and seizures.

As a result, threat actors have migrated elsewhere, including to forums like “RuTor,” decentralized Telegram-based shops, and even switching to offline transactions for physical commodities like narcotics. At its peak, Hydra Market was the single largest darknet market as well as the largest marketplace for online narcotics in countries of the former Soviet Union. Unrivaled in its size, reach, and complexity, and vertically integrated network—along with its status as a crucial hub for illegal cryptocurrency cashout services—made it a significant player amongst darknet marketplaces.

One of the most significant blows to the darknet market scene came in 2017, when the FBI and Europol took down the AlphaBay and Hansa markets, which were at the time the two largest markets on the darknet. The takedowns resulted in the arrest of dozens of vendors and administrators, as well as the seizure of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. Since then, many other major markets have also been shut down, leading some to speculate that the golden age of darknet markets is over.

The Rise And Fall Of Darknet Markets

The Current State of Darknet Markets

Despite the numerous setbacks, darknet markets are still very much alive and well. According to a recent report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, there are currently over 50 active darknet markets, with a combined user base of over 2 million. While many of these markets are relatively small and niche, some are still generating significant revenue, with a few even rivaling the size and scope of the markets that were taken down in the past.

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. It’s not a question of whether exit scams will occur; rather, it’s a question of when. The anonymous nature of these sites means that participants have no recourse in the event of wrongdoing. Market operators have to calculate the optimal time for retirement, balancing their profits against the risk of a hack or police raid.

Monopoly Market

One of the reasons why darknet markets continue to thrive is the increasing demand for illegal goods and services. With the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States and other parts of the world, there is a growing market for drugs like access to dark web fentanyl and heroin, which are often sold on darknet markets. Additionally, the rise of ransomware and other forms of cybercrime has created a need for platforms where hackers and other cybercriminals can buy and sell their wares.

WeTheNorth: A New Canadian Dark Web Marketplace

Specializing in brand building, product marketing, communication and content. Using a search aggregate, Cybereason Labs recently uncovered all kinds of interesting and illegal merchandise without logging into any market. Chainalysis’ report noted that Hydra Marketplace had still been the highest grossing market in 2022, despite its early demise. Despite the defunct site’s nod to the mythical Greek beast, that if you cut off one head, two grow in its place, no other drug marketplace beat Hydra’s four month revenue lead the entire year. Fraudsters and illicit digital dealers made much less money last year than they did in 2021, though 2022 was still a record year for total stolen in crypto hacks.

Alternatives to Darknet Markets

While darknet markets are still a popular choice for many buyers and sellers, there are also several alternatives that have emerged in recent years. One of the most notable is the use of encrypted messaging apps, such as Telegram and Signal, to facilitate illegal transactions. These apps offer end-to-end encryption and other security features, making them a popular choice for those looking to avoid the risks associated with darknet markets.

Like hacker forums, critical data such as VIP credentials, employee data, and espionage information are sold in dark web markets as well. The part that highlights the Infinity forum as a dark web market and creates a cyber threat is the Hack Shop section. In addition to sharing and selling many tools and exploits, it is among the products sold in DDoS, frequently used by Russian hacktivist groups. Hydra also featured numerous vendors selling false identification documents. Users could search for vendors selling their desired type of identification document – for example, U.S. passports or drivers’ licenses – and filter or sort by the item’s price. Many vendors of false identification documents offered to customize the documents based on photographs or other information provided by the buyers.

Another alternative is the use of decentralized marketplaces, such as OpenBazaar and Particl, which use blockchain technology to facilitate peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries. These marketplaces offer greater privacy and security than traditional darknet markets, as well as lower fees and fewer restrictions on the types of goods and services that can be sold.

FAQs

Q: Are darknet markets still a thing?

• You can avoid the hassle of checking individual buyer profiles by using darknet marketplaces that require sellers to pay a bond to enlist their products.
• Many crooks perceive them as too aggressive and don’t accept their connections with Russian authorities.
• Its administrator, Ross Ulbricht—using the online alias “Dread Pirate Roberts”—was eventually sentenced to life in prison without parole.

A: Yes, despite the numerous setbacks and crackdowns by law enforcement agencies, darknet markets continue to thrive, with over 50 active markets and a combined user base of over 2 million.

Q: What types of goods and services are sold on darknet markets?

A: Darknet markets offer a wide range of products, from drugs and weapons to stolen data and hacking tools. However, the most popular category of goods sold on these markets is drugs, particularly opioids like fentanyl and heroin.

Q: Are there any alternatives to darknet markets?

A: Yes, there are several alternatives to darknet markets, including encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and Signal, as well as decentralized marketplaces like OpenBazaar and Particl.

Q: Is it safe to use darknet markets?

A: Using darknet markets always carries some level of risk, as these platforms are often targeted by law enforcement agencies and can be vulnerable to hacking and other forms of cybercrime. However, by taking appropriate precautions, such as using a reputable VPN and practicing good opsec, it is possible to minimize these risks and use darknet markets safely.