Icarus Market
Understanding the Darknet Market
At the end of February 2023, there was a change in the management of the Infinity Forum. KillMilk put the Infinity Forum up for sale for unknown reasons, which may be good news that the forum may be disbanded, but KillNet has since relaunched its Telegram forum. KillNet’s Telegram forum is a different form created by managing multiple chat groups from the same hand; this forum also includes a market that offers the same services.
Focusing on the first week after closure, we find that, on average, one marketplace absorbs \(66.1\% \pm 16.1\) of all migrant users. Only 4% of the users migrate to more than one coexisting marketplace simultaneously after the closure. Figure 6b shows that, in 36.4% of the closures considered, it is the one sharing the largest number of common users with the closed marketplace(the probability that users migrate to the marketplace ranked second or the third is 31.8%).
But what’s on offer from markets appears, for many, to continue to outweigh the downsides of using them. At the moment, its role as main information hub is far more important for Darknet users than the role of any DNM, notably for low and mid experience users. Every DNM lifetime is limited and because of this business character every one of them will eventually make an exit scam or will be seized by law enforcement. Forum’s staff officially don’t sell any illicit goods, so they can be viewed as less attractive targets for any law enforcement. But they do sell advertisements to Darknet vendors and this can be the ground for a money laundering charge. In fact, a similar case occurred in deepdotweb.com case, where portal owners were charged with money laundering conspiracy for such advertisements.
Tools like Tor are used to bypass government-imposed firewalls and surveillance, ensuring open communication. The significance here is the preservation of civil liberties and the right to information. Businesses operating in such regions may need to adapt to the technical challenges and risks posed by using darknets for legitimate purposes. DNMs are located on the “darknet,” which is unreachable on standard internet browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari because the darknet is unindexed. There are certain sites on the darknet (and on clearnet) which attempt to manually track and publish sites on the darknet, but common browsers do not link directly to darknet. Hudson Intelligence assists law firms, businesses, public agencies and investors with cryptocurrency investigations and due diligence.
Its listings grew from fewer than ten products in the months prior to Dream Market’s closure in early 2019 to over 100 products by July that year. The report shows that the percentage of a region’s share of drug-focused vendor activity matches very closely with what is known about the global drug trade. Generally, drugs are manufactured and grown in Latin American and Asia and consumed in North America and Western and Northern Europe.
The darknet market refers to a hidden online marketplace that operates on the dark web, utilizing specific software and configurations to ensure anonymity and security for its users. This market primarily serves as a platform for the exchange of goods and services that are often illegal or restricted.
Characteristics of the Darknet Market
For this marketplace snapshot, our analysts selected a darknet marketplace hosted on Tor called Exchange Market. Exchange marketplace content is predominantly Chinese Mandarin and features illicit goods traditionally offered on a typical criminal marketplace – including weapons. The market does not appear to emphasize drugs for purchase in variety and volume as is common with other decentralized markets on the darknet. When looking at it this way, the largest markets are primarily drug shops and fraud shops, which you can see in Chainalysis’ graph below. Fraud shops sell malware, stolen credit card numbers, compromised user accounts of many types, and some assist with money laundering. It has more than 45,000 listings of various products, including drugs, counterfeit items, and jewelry.
It is crucial to exercise caution and abide by the laws of your jurisdiction. We strongly advise against engaging in any illegal activities or transactions on the Dark Web. This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not endorse or promote illegal activities. And over the last 9 months, using a mix of publicity stunts and crippling cyber attacks on each other, OMG, Kraken and around 10 other darknet markets have been engaged in a tit-for-tat turf war for Hydra’s throne.
Several key characteristics define the darknet market:
- Anonymity – Users employ tools like Tor (The Onion Router) to mask their IP addresses, enabling a high level of privacy.
- Cryptocurrency Transactions – Most transactions occur through cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, ensuring further anonymity.
- Variety of Goods – Markets offer a range of products, from illegal drugs to hacked accounts and counterfeit items.
- Escrow System – Many platforms utilize escrow services to facilitate trust between buyers and sellers, ensuring that funds are protected until the product is delivered.
Types of Goods and Services Available
Within the darknet market, users can find various categories of items:
- Illegal Drugs – This is one of the most common categories, including substances like cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy.
- Hacking Tools – Many listings feature software or services designed to exploit security vulnerabilities.
- Counterfeit Goods – Fake currencies, counterfeit designer merchandise, and forged documents are prevalent.
- Stolen Data – Personal information, such as credit card numbers and social security details, are often sold.
The Risks Involved
Engaging in the darknet market involves numerous risks:
- Accessing the Onion network is also extremely easy and does not require an expert’s knowledge.
- Lastly, counterfeits on dark markets tend to have a relatively low price and sales volume.
- Next, we examine the shipping origins of products as indicated on the product listings.
- Legal Implications – Many activities conducted on these platforms are illegal, risking prosecution for participants.
- Fraud and Scams – Deceptive practices are common, with users facing the possibility of being scammed.
- Security Threats – Users may encounter malware or other cyber threats prevalent in these illegal environments.
Is the Darknet Market Worth the Risk?
While the darknet market may offer anonymity and access to restricted goods, the associated risks cannot be ignored. Evaluating one’s motives and understanding the potential consequences is crucial for anyone considering entering these marketplaces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the primary purpose of the darknet market?
The primary purpose of the darknet market is to facilitate the anonymous exchange of goods and services, many of which are illegal or not readily available on the traditional internet.
How do people access the darknet market?
Access is typically achieved through specific software like Tor, which helps anonymize users’ internet connections, allowing them to browse hidden websites.
Are all transactions on the darknet illegal?
While many transactions involve illegal goods and services, not everything sold on the darknet market is illegal. Some vendors may offer legal items, but these are far less common.
What precautions should users take when navigating darknet markets?
Users should consider several precautions, including:
- Utilizing a secure and anonymous browsing method (like Tor)
- Employing strong antivirus software
- Engaging with reputable market vendors
- Being aware of the legal implications in their jurisdiction
