Content
Group communications, private messages and file sharing are fundamental functions provided by many tools with different levels of sophistication. Online communities whose members are concerned with anonymity have different options to interact without disclosing their real identity. Protocols and systems for distributed discussion system and online messaging created in the early 90’s’ such as the IRC and USENET (the bulletin board system) are still in use by hackers and criminals to exchange private messages (source T2 in Table ​Table2).2). An example is Reddit.com, a popular social news aggregator, established in 2005, which also hosted from 2010 until 2018 a subcommunity of approximately 20,000 members focused around OBMs related matters. Trust plays an important role among these factors, since it enables shared expectations between unknown social actors who have no experience of previous interactions (McKnight, Choudhury, & Kacmar, 2002). Therefore, OMs must ensure that transactions are securely completed and that both parties to the transaction, buyers and sellers, do not partake in opportunistic behaviors (Pavlou & Gefen, 2004).
The Dark Side of the Internet
The internet has revolutionized our lives, providing countless opportunities for communication, education, and commerce. However, there is also a shadowy side to this vast virtual network – the darknet. Operating within this hidden corner of the internet are cybercriminals who employ various tactics to exploit unsuspecting individuals and organizations.
How Organizations Improve Security by Moving to Dark Web
Diving Into Darknet Markets
Among the numerous activities that occur in the darknet, one of the most prominent and profitable ventures for cybercriminals is the use of darknet markets. These illicit online platforms enable anonymous transactions involving the sale of prohibited goods, services, and information.
- A recent surge in ransomware attacks and other malicious cyber activities has fueled the effort to shut down services that cater to online criminals.
- Estes agrees that there are legitimate purposes for using anonymizing tools like Tor.
- Normally, users are required to create personal accounts which are protected by private credentials.
- Governments, law enforcement agencies, and other organizations may, therefore, be interested in funding Darknet research to understand better and address these issues.
- In most of the offers we analyzed, attackers sell Google Play loaders, programs whose purpose is to inject malicious or unwanted code into a Google Play app.
So, how do these cybercriminals leverage darknet markets to carry out their malicious activities? Let’s explore some of the common strategies:
Dark Web Commerce and Cryptocurrency
1. Buying and Selling Stolen Data
The Dark Web is a breeding ground for corporate spies seeking sensitive business information, trade secrets, and intellectual property. Highlight cases where corporate espionage on the Dark Web resulted in significant damage to organizations. As an Enterprise Security Architect at System Soft Technologies, Craig is a CISSP-certified tech guru with multiple IT security certifications.
A primary way cybercriminals utilize darknet markets is by trading stolen data. This data may include personal information, credit card details, login credentials, or even medical records. By offering such sensitive information on these platforms, cybercriminals can quickly monetize their illegal exploits.
The legal definition of computer fraud varies by jurisdiction, but typically involves accessing a computer without permission or authorization. Wonderland service has also a wide network of ‘money mules’ internationally and offers cash-outs in EU countries like Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Romania and Bulgaria. This type of fraud has become more popular due to increased support for NFC and greater availability/adoption of applications that store payment data for contactless payments.
Strong precautions must be taken to protect personal data from falling into the hands of these unscrupulous actors.
2. Facilitating Drug Trade
Dark web marketplaces aren’t the hacker hotbeds they used to be
Another significant aspect of darknet markets is the facilitation of illegal drug trade. Sellers operating within these markets offer a wide range of narcotics, allowing buyers to make anonymous purchases without fear of being tracked by law enforcement agencies.
Law enforcement agencies around the globe are constantly working to dismantle these drug networks and bring the culprits to justice.
3. Distributing Malware and Exploits
Dolliver and Kenney (2016) made a comparison of black markets in the Tor network using statistical analysis to determine significant differences among intrinsic characteristics of those markets. Using a diffuse network of money mules, Zen Crew provides account opening services at various financial institutions (FIs) in the U.S., the UK and Canada. Notably, once the account and card has been issued, they provide an option to physically ship the latter to the buyer. But in some cases, buyers do not even require a debit or credit card, as a photo of the card the remote use of the account and will be often be enough to effectively facilitate illicit transactions and cash-outs.
Cybercriminals also employ darknet markets as a means to distribute malware, ransomware, and other malicious software. These platforms serve as a breeding ground for cyber threats, where hackers can easily purchase or exchange tools and exploits to target unsuspecting users.
U.S. Government Shared Services
It is crucial to remain vigilant and employ robust cybersecurity measures to fend off these attacks.
4. Hiring Hitmen and Assassins
The notion of generativity has been introduced to explain innovation, rapid scaling and adaptation in digital infrastructures (Henfridsson & Bygstad, 2013; Huang, Henfridsson, Liu, & Newell, 2017). Generativity does not take place only in collaborative and favorable environments. As complex systems, digital infrastructures are exposed to major breakdowns determined by the propagation of local failures into large-scale disruptions (Hanseth & Ciborra, 2007). When digital infrastructures operate under adverse conditions, such as for instance in case of cyberattacks, generative processes are triggered to react to disruptions and breakdowns. Though longevity and durability are inherent properties of digital infrastructures (Tilson et al., 2010), the generative process and the underlying mechanisms through which they are achieved has been overlooked. The research on OBMs related phenomena is limited, but relevant for our study.
Believe it or not, darknet markets have been known to offer services of hitmen and assassins. While the authenticity of such claims remains debatable, the fact that these discussions even take place is both alarming and a stark reminder of the dangerous possibilities lurking beneath the surface of the internet.
Law enforcement agencies worldwide work diligently to identify and apprehend individuals involved in these illegal activities.
Malware / Exploit Kit Services:
Countering the Darknet Threat
The battle against cybercriminals operating within darknet markets is ongoing, but several steps can be taken to mitigate the risks:
- Ensuring robust encryption and secure communication practices to safeguard sensitive data.
- Implementing multi-factor authentication methods to protect online accounts and prevent unauthorized access.
- Regularly updating security software and patches to defend against emerging threats.
- Conducting thorough background checks and due diligence when recruiting employees to prevent insider threats.
By remaining informed and adopting proactive cybersecurity measures, we can better protect ourselves from falling victim to cybercriminals lurking in the depths of the darknet markets.
In Conclusion
The existence of darknet markets provides cybercriminals with a thriving platform to carry out their illegal activities. From trading stolen data to facilitating drug trade and distributing malware, these malicious actors exploit the anonymity offered by the darknet to pose significant threats.
Attacks-as-a-service
It is essential for individuals, organizations, and law enforcement agencies to collaborate closely, raising awareness and implementing robust cybersecurity measures to combat cybercrime in this hidden realm.
