Some vendors with drug listings have an additional information button next to the product listing. Following this link provides in-depth information for estimated dosage, preparation methods, and description and duration of the product’s effects. DarkOwl analysts observed digital goods like bank accounts, Qiwi wallets, and SIMs for sale in addition to source code and software, such as Telegram bots.
Understanding the Tor Market
Archetyp Market
The Tor market has emerged as a significant component of the dark web, creating a unique space for anonymity and unregulated transactions. The Tor network allows users to browse the internet anonymously, making it an attractive platform for various activities, both legal and illegal.
In June, OMG suffered a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, which likely caused vendors and customers to migrate to Mega Darknet Market and Blacksprut Market around that time. Similarly, Blacksprut was hacked in late November, which coincides with its decline from its peak revenue share of 68.5% a few weeks prior. Given the illicit nature of darknet markets, it’s unsurprising that vendors and users would seek to leave a market that has suffered a data breach. International police agencies last week announced the closure of Wall Street Market, the second-most popular drug forum online. Wall Street Market’s administrators tried to make off with $11 million in an exit scam before the site’s closure, investigators said.
What is the Tor Market?
The site was accessible only through a network known as Tor, which exists mainly to anonymize user data and activities online. Tor obfuscates users’ addresses so they appear hidden from unwanted parties looking to surveil the users’ transactions and activities—in other words, Silk Road, Tor, and cryptocurrency was the ultimate privacy toolkit for illegal operations. Silk Road was a digital black market platform that was popular for hosting money laundering activities and illegal drug transactions using Bitcoin. Silk Road, regarded as the first darknet market, was launched in 2011 and eventually shut down by the FBI in 2013. It was founded by Ross William Ulbricht, who is now serving a life sentence in prison for his role in Silk Road.
There are several whistleblower sites, including a dark web version of Wikileaks. Pirate Bay, a BitTorrent site that law enforcement officials have repeatedly shut down, is alive and well there. Dark web commerce sites have the same features as any e-retail operation, including ratings/reviews, shopping carts and forums, but there are important differences. When both buyers and sellers are anonymous, the credibility of any ratings system is dubious.
The Tor Market refers to online marketplaces that operate on the Tor network, facilitating buying and selling of goods and services while preserving user anonymity. These markets often deal in a wide range of products, including:
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. Whatever the outcome of the CyberBunker trial, the operation against Xennt has provided police with an Aladdin’s cave of information on other criminal activity.
- Illegal Drugs
- Stolen Data
- Counterfeit Goods
- Hacking Services
- Privacy Tools
Figure 1 shows a listing from a market specialising in cannabis sales. The vendor in this case ships from Spain and offers shipping within the European Union. The seller-buyer relationship is remote and impersonal, and the market is public and open, with features designed to promote professionalism. The design is typical of the kind of cryptomarket in common use in Western Europe, North America and Australia. It contrasts with Hydra, the Russian language market, which is more formalised and monopolistic, and which controls a high proportion of the Russian the drug market [7].
The dark web contains content that’s only accessible through networks like Tor. Tor browsers create encrypted entry points and pathways for the user, so dark web activity remains anonymous. The encryption technology routes users’ data through a large number of intermediate servers, which protects the users’ identity and guarantees anonymity. While DarkOwl generally avoids engaging in or commenting on speculative darknet drama, there are several things about the re-emergence of AlphaBay and DeSnake that don’t add up.
How Does the Tor Market Work?
Accessing the Tor Market requires using the Tor browser, which encrypts a user’s location and online activity. This decentralization allows users to maintain their identity. Here’s how the process usually works:
- Download and install the Tor browser.
- Search for hidden services using directories or forums.
- Navigate to a marketplace and create an account.
- Make transactions using cryptocurrencies for added anonymity.
- Receive goods or services, often through encrypted communication channels.
Popular Types of Goods in the Tor Market
- Tor is large enough to have adapted to denial-of-service attempts—cyberattacks that attempt to overwhelm it with simulated traffic—and generally has a much larger user-base and lively community.
- A verified list of darknet markets and services with links for educational reference.
- The marketplaces are usually managed by an admin or a small group of admins, and the typical users of the marketplaces are cybercriminals who search for illegal products online that will help their own illicit activities.
- Such brazenness is usually displayed only by those fake ‘online pharmacies’ that dupe the dumb and flaccid.
While the Tor Market is notorious for illicit goods, it also features some legitimate products:
- Digital privacy tools: VPNs, secure messaging applications
- Books and e-books: Often focusing on alternative viewpoints or censored material
- Exclusive media content: Films and music that may not be widely available
Risks Associated with the Tor Market
Engaging with the Tor Market carries inherent risks. Users should be aware of the following:
- Legal issues: Authorities monitor Tor and the activities can lead to arrest.
- Fraud: Not all vendors are reputable; scams are prevalent.
- Security risks: Personal information can be compromised; users may download malicious software.
FAQs About the Tor Market
1. Is it legal to shop on the Tor Market?
Engaging with the Tor Market can lead to legal complications, especially if purchasing illegal goods. Laws vary by country.
2. What currencies are used in the Tor Market?
Most transactions are conducted using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which offer a certain level of anonymity.
3. How can I protect myself while using the Tor Market?
Use reliable security measures: employ a VPN, avoid sharing personal details, and use secure wallets for transactions.
4. Are there any legitimate uses for the Tor Market?
Yes, the Tor Market can serve as a platform for distributing privacy tools and information that may be suppressed in certain regions.
Conclusion
The Tor Market represents a complex intersection of anonymity, commerce, and legality. While it offers unique advantages in terms of privacy and access to goods, users must navigate its risks carefully. Understanding the nuances of the Tor Market is crucial for anyone considering engaging with this elusive part of the internet.
