Predictions, Episode 3: ICS Cyberthreats
- Whilst these efforts by law enforcement cause temporary disruption for suppliers, the reality is that these actions are unlikely to have any long-term impact.
- DarkMarket, the world’s largest illegal marketplace on the dark web, has been taken offline in an international operation led by German police.
- On the eve of launching a revolutionary new software product the flamboyant Daniel McFarland and his genius partner, Edison Richie, have fallen out over a mysterious reason.
- Terror is most often employed with ambiguity, with the monster obscured, and it stirs a fight-or-flight response in the reader often recognized as the fast-beating heart and sweaty palms.
- Conspicuously absent are some preferred features, such as the lack of pre-order (direct pay) purchases, a multi-sig option for BTC payments, and forced PGP encryption for communications.
Understanding Darkmarkets
For instance, after Silk Road went offline in 2013, Silk Road 2.0, AlphaBay, Hansa Market, Silk Road 3.0, Wall Street Market, and others sprung up in that order, to take its place as the favoured dark web marketplace for drugs, malware, counterfeit money & documents, and even weapons. With the growth of anonymized networks, it is inevitable that we will continue to see demand for the dark web and other unidentifiable platforms for the sale of illicit drugs and other contraband. However, the golden age of dark web markets is slowly coming to an end as law enforcement tactics improve and agencies around the world work together. Those early examples, though, were through closed networks and the actual exchanges of money and goods generally had to take place in person.
The term darkmarket refers to online platforms that operate in secrecy, where illegal goods and services are exchanged. These markets are often part of the larger dark web, a portion of the internet not indexed by traditional search engines. Users typically access these sites using specialized software, enabling anonymous browsing.
The DarkMarket operation highlights the continued crackdown by authorities on illegal dark web marketplaces. The DarkMarket vendors mainly traded all kinds of drugs and sold counterfeit money, stolen or counterfeit credit card details, anonymous SIM cards and malware. In addition to Europol, law enforcement agencies from Germany, Australia, Denmark, Moldova, Ukraine, the United Kingdom (the National Crime Agency) and the USA (DEA, FBI, and IRS) participated in the operation.
Specifically, the STG Ceres, the stranded ocean freighter turned Dark Market operations hub in the middle of Gatun Lake, where the Canal once flowed. According to the prosecutors in the south-western city of Koblenz, the DarkMarket was shut down on Monday. Officials said Tuesday that the information gathered from the DarkMarket seizures would hopefully lead to further investigations. When observed closely, there is only a small amount of concurrency introduced in the [.c-inline-code]fill_orders[.c-inline-code] part of the algorithm. The reason is that the [.c-inline-code]volume_left_to_transact[.c-inline-code] is shared between all the orders and should be modified sequentially.
Characteristics of Darkmarkets
Dark Wallet is another project of his designed to make Bitcoin easier and faster to use for people who aren’t tech-savvy. Once it’s developed and adopted, DarkMarket will undoubtedly have both legal and illegal applications, thus opening it up to a storm of inevitable criticism that some advocates hope to soften before the mainstream debate even truly begins. They plan to do this by replacing the word “Dark” with, well, almost anything else. Infosec Insider content is written by a trusted community of Threatpost cybersecurity subject matter experts.
Given the current practices of market administrators, we should expect law enforcement to maintain their ability to monitor and crack down on markets. From past seizures, they have significant information on who the next administrators are likely to be, and their investigation targets are likely to be living close to them. We will continue to report on the changes in dark web marketplaces in the coming weeks, and share what we learn about market adoption by the criminal underground. The illicit dark web marketplace boasted over 500,000 users and, according to Europol, facilitated over 320,000 transactions of more than 4,650 bitcoin and 12,800 monero, which amounts to €140 million in the current exchange rate.
Several defining features distinguish darkmarkets from conventional online marketplaces:
- Anonymous Transactions: Most darkmarkets prioritize anonymity for both buyers and sellers, making it difficult for law enforcement to track activities.
- Cryptocurrency Payments: Transactions are predominantly conducted using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Monero, adding another layer of privacy.
- Escrow Services: Many darkmarkets offer escrow services to protect buyers and sellers, ensuring that funds are only released when both parties are satisfied.
- Access via Special Browsers: Users need to employ specific browsers, such as Tor, to access these hidden markets, reinforcing the concept of secrecy.
The Central Criminal Investigation Department in the German city of Oldenburg arrested an Australian citizen (the alleged operator of DarkMarket) near the German-Danish border over the weekend of 9/10 January 2020. The stored data will give investigators new leads to further investigate moderators, sellers, and buyers. DarkMarket, the world’s largest illegal marketplace on the dark web, has been taken offline in an international operation led by German police. As well as Germany, law enforcement agencies from Australia, Denmark, Moldova, Ukraine, the United Kingdom (National Crime Agency), and the USA (DEA, FBI, and IRS) were involved.
Conservative estimates calculated that around USD 170 million had changed hands on the site throughout its tenure. The recent alleged seizure of the carding AVC Joker’s Stash’s Blockchain DNS domains didn’t generate as much discussion as we might have expected. And, a few weeks on from the takedown of the “largest darknet marketplace”, DarkMarket, the ripples in the cybercriminal underground are barely discernible. Taking this as our starting point, in this blog we’ll dive into the cybercriminal community’s reaction to the recent seizure of DarkMarket and ask why this news has not had the impact some might have expected.
Types of Goods and Services Available
Darkmarkets are known for a wide range of illicit offerings, including:
- Illegal Drugs: A significant portion of products includes various types of narcotics, from marijuana to synthetic drugs.
- Stolen Data: Personal information, credit card details, and hacked accounts are commonly traded.
- Counterfeit Products: Users can find counterfeit currency, fake IDs, and other fraudulent items.
- Hacking Services: Professional hackers may offer services to breach security systems or conduct DDoS attacks.
Risks Involved in Using Darkmarkets
While darkmarkets provide unique opportunities, they also present significant risks:
- Legal Consequences: Engaging in illegal activities can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
- Fraud and Scams: Unscrupulous sellers may take advantage of buyers, resulting in financial loss or compromised security.
- Law Enforcement Surveillance: Authorities actively monitor darkmarkets, increasing the risk of arrests and prosecutions.
How to Stay Safe
For those who venture into the realm of darkmarkets, keeping safety in mind is crucial:
- Use VPN Services: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can provide an additional layer of anonymity, masking your IP address.
- Research Markets: Before engaging, investigate the market’s reputation to avoid scams.
- Limit Personal Information: Do not disclose any identifiable information while conducting transactions.
FAQs about Darkmarkets
What is a darkmarket?
A darkmarket is an online platform for buying and selling illegal goods and services, typically accessed through the dark web.
How do I access a darkmarket?
You need specialized software like Tor to access darkmarkets, which helps you maintain anonymity while browsing.
Is it safe to buy from darkmarkets?
Purchasing from darkmarkets involves significant risks, including potential legal issues and the chance of scams. Caution is advised.
What payment methods are accepted on darkmarkets?
Most transactions on darkmarkets are conducted using cryptocurrencies to ensure privacy and anonymity.
Conclusion
In summary, darkmarkets represent a complex intersection of anonymity, illicit trade, and digital currency. They offer insights into the darker aspects of online commerce while highlighting the risks involved. For those who engage with these platforms, understanding the dynamics at play is essential for navigating this hidden segment of the internet safely.
