As cyber-criminals embrace new technologies it’s becoming increasingly necessary for security professionals to do the same in order to stay ahead. OSINT tools allow security professionals to effectively and efficiently monitor the surface deep, and dark web. Using Signal you can create targeted searches with Boolean logic, and then run the results through intelligent filters powered by our advanced AI. Initially, they operated in relative anonymity, allowing users to buy and sell illicit goods without much oversight. However, increased scrutiny and frequent law enforcement actions have led to a more complex ecosystem. In summary, the inquiry of are darknet markets still a thing is answered affirmatively.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement and the emergence of decentralized marketplaces, darknet markets are still very much alive and well. While the number of active markets has decreased, new markets continue to emerge to fill the void left by those that have been shut down. Additionally, many of the users who were driven away from traditional darknet markets by the busts and the emergence of decentralized marketplaces have returned to the scene, now more cautious and experienced. Hydra darknet marketplace is currently the biggest Russian language darknet Market (DNM). In December 2019, the Hydra crew announced the creation of several new projects, the most important of which are Eternos and AspaNET.
Rise Of AI-Powered Attacks
- Deposits span from the hundreds to the tens of thousands of dollars, and the average deposit amount in 2024 was over $2,000.
- It maintains a very strict level of user verification and integration with an official Telegram account to provide real-time updates to users.
- For instance, AI-generated deepfake technology has been employed to craft highly convincing fraudulent communications, leading to substantial financial and data losses.
- Additionally, users should avoid sharing personal information and use a secure wallet to store their cryptocurrency.
- Historically, DNMs have usually cashed out their funds at centralized exchanges (CEXs).
At its peak, the Silk Road had over 10,000 listings and generated millions of dollars in revenue. This did not stop the rise of darknet markets, as new markets quickly emerged to fill the void left by the Silk Road. You typically need software like Tor, as well as cryptocurrency for transactions, to access the hidden areas of the internet where these markets reside. Cazes also possessed millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, which has been seized by the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). On October 1st, 2021, White House Market, the biggest Darknet Market (DNM) at the time, announced its retirement from the darknet market scene on Dread. Since then, there has been some speculation as to which market will take the number one spot.
Safeguard Your Business: Take Action Against Dark Web Threats
Unless you’re absolutely sure, we highly recommend that you avoid downloading anything off the dark web. While users employ various security measures, engaging in illegal activities inherently involves risks, including exposure to scams, law enforcement actions, and potential harm from the products themselves. Many in the information security business believed the subreddit to be swarming with law enforcement agents gathering information for future arrests. The site went down down for multiple hours, according to Motherboard, and when it was back up, users’ bitcoins were missing, prompting many to say the site was a scam.
Proactive Cybersecurity Measures
As a result, it has become much more difficult for darknet markets to operate and attract new users. As we’ll cover later, a majority of sellers use dark web marketplaces to defraud and scam users. However, as mentioned, dark web marketplaces are mostly used for illicit trade and illegal activities, which is why you need to avoid them unless you’re confident about your network security. It was founded by Ross William Ulbricht, who is now serving a life sentence in prison for his role in Silk Road.
Dark Web’s Share Of Global Internet Traffic
While the use of bitcoin provides a level of anonymity and security for buyers and sellers, it also raises questions about the future of the currency and the impact it will have on the darknet market economy. While darknet markets may seem like an easy and anonymous way to buy or sell illegal goods or services, they’re also extremely risky. Fortunately, there are alternatives available if you’re looking for a safer way to make these transactions. While the majority of transactions on darknet markets are still illegal, there are also some legal goods and services available, such as VPN subscriptions and digital art.
Challenges And Risks
However, as the name implies, this more secretive part of the web has a darker side, filled with threats and illegal activity. Other risks, such as frauds perpetrated by customers and exit scams, were considered inevitable on the dark web, but also manageable. Encryption technologies allow vendors to communicate with customers and receive payments anonymously.
Some have left the space entirely, while others are demanding reputation-based systems and multi-layered escrow protections. The market is no longer about flashy interfaces or size—it’s about resilience, trust, and stealth. By mid-2025, several high-profile marketplaces were either hacked, exit scammed, or seized. Others were taken down in joint operations by cybercrime units across Europe and North America, continuing the trend of global coordination seen in past takedowns like Operation Disruptor. Governments have become more efficient, using AI tools and blockchain analysis to deanonymize users, track crypto flows, and target market infrastructure.
What Is Silk Road Called Now?
Despite these efforts, darknet markets remained a popular destination for those looking to buy and sell illegal goods and services. These markets have been known to be a safe haven for those who want to conduct illicit transactions, and they were believed to be safe from law enforcement. However, the rise of exit scams has brought a wave of fear and mistrust among users of these markets.
This is particularly the case when, according to TRM Labs, a significant number of darknet marketplaces are still in operation. It’s only accessible through the anonymizing network TOR, which requires a bit of technical skill to configure. In this report Kaspersky researchers provide an analysis of the previously unknown HrServ web shell, which exhibits both APT and crimeware features and has likely been active since 2021.
Agentic AI-Powered, Intelligence-Driven Unified Cybersecurity Platform
The part that highlights the Infinity forum as a dark web market and creates a cyber threat is the Hack Shop section. In addition to sharing and selling many tools and exploits, it is among the products sold in DDoS, frequently used by Russian hacktivist groups. Users could search for vendors selling their desired type of identification document – for example, U.S. passports or drivers’ licenses – and filter or sort by the item’s price. Many vendors of false identification documents offered to customize the documents based on photographs or other information provided by the buyers. Users should exercise caution when using these markets and be aware of the potential consequences.
This includes firearms, illegal drugs, horrific videos, fake passports, Netflix accounts and other, credit cards, or even the rental of the hitman. It has grown more sophisticated, harder to track, yet more visible than ever thanks to better data. Tor now sees millions of daily users, darknet markets move billions of dollars each year, and global access patterns are shifting, with countries once peripheral now becoming central.
