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Asian APT groups target various organizations from a multitude of regions and industries. We created this report to provide the cybersecurity community with the best-prepared intelligence data to effectively counteract Asian APT groups. Moreover, the rise in the popularity of other cryptocurrencies with enhanced privacy features might also influence the Bitcoin mixer market. Service providers could diversify their offerings to include mixing for these alternative cryptocurrencies, further expanding the scope of their operations.
Darknet markets have been making headlines recently with new developments, crackdowns, and emerging trends. Stay informed about the latest updates in the world of illicit online marketplaces with our roundup of darknet market news.
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“The Department of Justice will not allow darknet markets and cryptocurrency to be a safe haven for money laundering and the sale of hacking tools and services,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. Whatever your role in infosec, you probably know by now that dark web marketplaces offer budding and expert hackers various tools, data, credentials, ransomware, and malware for sale, with payment usually made via cryptocurrency. It’s in this underground landscape of shady buyers and sellers where dark web threats often lurk undetected until it’s too late and you suffer a breach. Fraud shops are a unique segment of darknet markets that sell stolen data such as compromised credit card information and other forms of personally identifying information (PII) that can be used for fraudulent activity. This decline was triggered in part by the closure of prominent fraud shops like Bypass Shop, which was shut down in March.
Recent Busts and Seizures
Law enforcement agencies around the world have been cracking down on darknet markets, leading to multiple arrests and seizures. Some of the recent busts include:
US-German Operation Shuts Down World’s Largest Darknet Marketplace
- Operation DisrupTor: This international law enforcement operation targeted darknet vendors and buyers, resulting in the shutdown of several prominent marketplaces.
- AlphaBay Takedown: One of the largest darknet markets, AlphaBay, was taken down by authorities, leading to the arrest of its operator and seizure of assets.
British authorities said 17 countries were involved in the operation, led by the FBI and Dutch police which resulted in about 120 arrests, more than 200 searches and almost 100 pieces of “preventative activity”. She writes about cybersecurity startups, cyberattacks in Eastern Europe and the state of the cyberwar between Ukraine and Russia. Her work has also been published at Sifted, The Kyiv Independent and The Kyiv Post.
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New Trends in Darknet Markets
Despite the increased scrutiny from law enforcement, darknet markets continue to evolve and adapt. Here are some of the latest trends in the underground marketplace:
- Markets running on darknets oftentimes offer illegal goods and services and facilitate payment almost exclusively through virtual currency.
- British authorities said 17 countries were involved in the operation, led by the FBI and Dutch police which resulted in about 120 arrests, more than 200 searches and almost 100 pieces of “preventative activity”.
- Moreover, threat actors offer ransomware and stealers “as a service” in these markets.
- Analysis from the World Drug Report 2023 suggests that whilst the average buyer is spending more on drug transactions (rising from $100 per transaction in 2018 to $500 in 2021), the number of active buyers and transactions have notably decreased.
- One of Wheeler’s duties was to let AlphaBay users know when the site would be down for maintenance.
- Is an English and Russian language marketplace that seems to have captured many of Hydra’s former vendors and consumers.
- Decentralized Platforms: Some darknet markets are moving towards decentralized platforms to avoid central points of failure and enhance privacy.
- Increased Use of Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin remains the dominant currency on darknet markets, but alternative cryptocurrencies like Monero and Zcash are gaining popularity due to their enhanced anonymity features.
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FAQs About Darknet Markets
Sanctioning the various actors in the global cryptocurrency laundering and cashout ecosystem has caused disruptions for these services. At the same time, the takedown of Hydra Market pushed cryptocurrency cash-out providers onto other platforms. However, as long as these actors are not apprehended, the market seems to be able to heal itself and adapt. Apart from mixers and cashout services that assume new identities, new mixing services, such as “Sinbad”, used by North Korea’s Lazarus Group, also appear.
- Are Darknet Markets Legal?
- No, darknet markets facilitate the buying and selling of illegal goods and services, making them illegal in most jurisdictions.
- How Can I Access Darknet Markets?
- To access darknet markets, users typically use special software like Tor to browse .onion websites that are not indexed by traditional search engines.
- Is it Safe to Buy From Darknet Markets?
- Buying from darknet markets comes with inherent risks, including scams and law enforcement monitoring. Users should exercise caution and employ security measures to protect their identities.
Darknet markets are commercial websites that operate on the dark web, which can be accessed via anonymizing browsers or software such as Tor or I2P. The DHS is also looking for information that Reddit is unlikely to have – users’ phone numbers and financial data – given that signing up doesn’t even require an email address. One of those users is moderator and security researcher Gwern Branwen, who shared the subpoena with Wired and then published a PSA post on the subreddit on Monday. At Thursday’s announcement, Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe made reference to the fluid nature of the online sales.
Stay tuned for more updates on darknet market news as law enforcement agencies and cybercriminals continue to battle for control of the underground economy.
