Dark Market With TFHE-rs
Understanding the Darkmarket
In order to save audiobooks to your Wish List you must be signed in to your account. “The team also aims to enhance joint technical and investigative actions, and organise training and capacity-building initiatives, together with prevention and awareness-raising campaigns – a 360° strategy against criminality on the dark web,” the organisation said. DarkMarket’s closure followed the arrest of an Australian citizen, supposedly the operator of the service, in the northern German city of Oldenburg over the weekend of 9-10 January 2021. Christian Akhatsegbe has been sentenced for wire and computer fraud conspiracy, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft related to a multi-million-dollar cyber-fraud scheme perpetrated through email phishing, credential harvesting… Also the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, Cyprus Ministry of Justice and Public Order, Cyprus Police, German Bundeskriminalamt, and United Kingdom National Crime Agency, assisted in this investigation.
The term darkmarket refers to a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. This hidden layer is often associated with illicit activities, including the sale of drugs, weapons, and stolen data.
According to Europol, DarkMarket dealt with around 500,000 users of which more than 2,400 were sellers. Before being taken down, DarkMarket clocked over 320,000 transactions and involving the exchange of more than 4,650 Bitcoin and 12,800 Monero. As Europol reports, these transactions cumulatively amount to more than €140 million ($220 million). As a neutral third party with a non-satellite reliant communication network, they became the de facto organization for the purchase of all illicit goods and services, including weapons, military equipment, intelligence, and soldiers.
In 2019, law-enforcement agencies worldwide took down a credentials marketplace (xDedic Marketplace) and continued to take action against former users of the Webstresser[.]org DDoS-for-hire site. Europol announced a wide-ranging investigation that led to the arrest of the alleged DarkMarket operator and the seizure of the marketplace’s infrastructure, including more than 20 servers. Subsequently, on Monday, authorities moved in to seize and shut down over 20 DarkMarket servers in Moldova and Ukraine. However, according to The Guardian, the DarkMarket operation correlates with months-long investigation into web-hosting company Cyberbunker, which operated from a former NATO bunker in south-west Germany.
Characteristics of Darkmarkets
The primary operator behind DarkMarket, a website that prosecutors have described as “probably the largest illegal marketplace on the Darknet”, has been arrested in Germany. For instance, the FBI worked with digital crime investigators, as well as European law enforcement to obtain a warrant for the seizure of dark web index Deep Dot Web in May 2019. Law enforcement agencies based in Israel, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil made arrests as part of the takedown. Law enforcement agencies across the world seized several dark web markets over the past few years.
In the future, “it is unclear to what extent the shutdown of this dark market will impact cybercriminal operations, beyond the near-term disruption to its current users,” Paul Prudhomme, cyber threat intelligence advisor at IntSights, told Threatpost. Takedown of Dark Web marketplaces for illicit goods is positive news and law enforcement agencies have had significant success over recent years. We have seen, however, a pattern of marketplaces rising and falling and where the “top” market has been taken down only to be replaced by larger, easier to access markets. So, the recent announcement by Europol is unlikely to have any long-term impact on the illicit trading scene. DarkMarket, the world’s largest illegal marketplace on Dark Web, was taken offline by German police and arrested its suspected operator.
It makes up for this with enhanced security and user safety features, helping users to ensure they are not getting phished. The darknet market had almost 500,000 users with 2,400 sellers, darknet market markets onion address Europol said in a statement.Transactions conducted on it in cryptocurrency were worth more than 140 million euros ($170 million). German prosecutors in the cities of Koblenz and Oldenburg said on Tuesday that they had shut down what was “probably the largest illegal marketplace on the Darknet” called DarkMarket and arrested the man believed to operate it near Germany’s border with Denmark. Another member of the site, John McHugh, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges. The 69-year-old, who used the nick “Devilman,” was an experienced credit card thief who ran a mini card factory out of his house. As recently as December 2020, an announcement on the reddit-style forum Dread highlighted that DarkMarket had hit the milestone of half a million users, signifying its popularity across the criminal underground and status as one of the “go-to” marketplaces.
Darkmarkets operate on the principle of anonymity. Here are some key characteristics:
- Encryption: Transactions and communications are encrypted to protect user identities.
- Cryptocurrency: Many darkmarkets only accept cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, to maintain anonymity.
- Access Control: Users typically need specific software, such as Tor, to access these markets.
Common Types of Goods and Services Offered
- “Full info” data – such as a bank customer’s name, account number, Social Security number and any other information needed to open or hijack a bank account – went for $150 per account with a $10,000 balance and $300 for one with a $20,000 balance.
- Authorities are expecting the data stored in those servers to lead them to the marketplace’s moderators, sellers and buyers.
- In 2019, Europol announced the closure of the Wall Street Market, which featured 11.5 million customer accounts and 5,400 registered sellers.
- Other dark web markets are competing to welcome DarkMarket refugees that have not moved on from the Tor network.
Darkmarkets host a variety of illicit goods and services, including:
- Drugs: A wide range of narcotics, including prescription medications and illegal substances.
- Stolen Data: Credit card information, hacking tools, and personal identification.
- Counterfeit Goods: Fake identification documents, currency, and branded products.
Risks Associated with Darkmarkets
Engaging in transactions on a darkmarket carries significant risks. These risks include:
- Legal Consequences: Law enforcement agencies monitor darkmarkets and can arrest users involved in illegal activities.
- Fraud: Many sellers on darkmarkets may not deliver goods or may provide low-quality products.
- Scams: Users are often vulnerable to scams, making them targets for criminals.
How to Access Darkmarkets Safely
If one chooses to explore the world of darkmarkets, safety and anonymity are crucial. Here are some tips:
- Use a VPN: Adds a layer of security by masking your IP address.
- Download Tor Browser: This is essential for accessing the hidden parts of the internet.
- Use Cryptocurrency: Only use cryptocurrencies for transactions to maintain anonymity.
- Research: Thoroughly check reviews and ratings before engaging in transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a darkmarket?
A darkmarket is a part of the internet that is not indexed by regular search engines, often used for the sale of illegal goods and services.
How do transactions work on darkmarkets?
Transactions are typically conducted using cryptocurrencies and secured by encryption to ensure anonymity.
Are all activities on darkmarkets illegal?
While most activities are illegal, some markets may offer legal goods or services. However, caution is advised.
In conclusion, while darkmarkets present unique opportunities for anonymity and access to certain goods, the associated risks and legal consequences make them a dangerous avenue for users. Caution and awareness are essential for anyone considering engaging with these markets.
