Bibliometric Research Tools

Those cybercriminals can be coming from unexpected directions and may be working for all manner of clients, from business rivals to government intelligence services. Did you know that there’s a thriving market for stolen proprietary information on the Dark Web? Medical research, experimental results, formulations, designs, and blueprints are hot sellers – and solutions like Dark Web ID help you guard against the growing number of cybercriminals who sell research data on the Dark Web. TOR’s secured browser technology remains the largest anonymizing network, with more than 2 million active users connected directly to its service.

The Future Of Darknet Markets[Original Blog]

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How Do Cybercriminals Use Darknet Markets?

Thus, the current study uses the Biblioshiny app, a web-based app included in the bibliometric package to support plain text files for WoS, to analyze and build data matrices for co-citation, coupling, scientific collaboration, and others (Fig. 2). With Biblioshiny, bibliometrics has become very user-friendly, even for those with no coding skills and knowledge, including myself (Aria and Cuccurullo 2017). The dark web is increasingly becoming corporate in various areas, such as hacking, recruitment and technology services. Cybercriminals will create look-a-like mobile applications, websites and social media profiles of executives and companies that appear exactly like the real thing. The most significant threats to the enterprise operate in the hidden corners of the web. Cybercrime collectives and highly skilled hackers share password-protected platforms, invitation-only forums and private messaging systems.

On a recent visit to Dread, we discovered that the ViceCity dark web market was in the middle of an exit scam. At the same time, the Abacus market, which provides everything from guns and drugs to stolen data, forged documents, and hacker services, had almost perfect customer reviews for its criminal marketplace. Dread offers feedback percentages and ratings like many clear web sites vendors. Darknet markets have been around for over a decade, and their business model has evolved and adapted over time.

Finally, to determine the thematic map and evolution in the timespan among articles, applying a clustering algorithm on the keywords in the Biblioshiny has two main meanings. One is to reflect the importance of the theme/topic in the entire research field (centrality), and the other is to measure the theme’s development (density) (Aria et al. 2020). Each bubble represents a network cluster to provide the centrality and density of each theme/topic (Aria et al. 2022).

Darknet markets, also known as “cryptomarkets,” are online marketplaces that operate on the dark web, a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access. These markets are often used by cybercriminals to buy and sell illegal goods and services, such as drugs, weapons, hacking tools, and stolen data.

• This is further exacerbated by the fact that most payments on the Dark Web take place in the form of Bitcoin which is a cryptocurrency that’s very difficult to trace.
• Darknet markets are online marketplaces where vendors can sell illegal goods and services anonymously.
• The Brazilian criminal underground is populated by young criminals specialized in products and services to hit online banking platforms and its users; this is not surprising because of the strong propensity of Brazilians in using the Internet banking.
• One is to focus on the author’s production over time, their most relevant publications and cited time.

What Are Darknet Markets?

In either case, after gathering all this information, hackers make it available to others on the dark web. The term darknet market is commonly used for billion-dollar business activities, and illicit and illegal activities. These activities and products can be available anywhere and, in many forms, with different names in various countries. Tracking funders helps researchers understand how to buy drugs dark web the global distribution of research funding. For example, researchers may be interested in knowing which countries provide the most funding for research in their field or how funding patterns have changed over time [52]. This information can be useful for identifying opportunities for collaboration or for comparing the research funding landscape in different countries.

Darknet markets are similar to traditional online marketplaces, such as Amazon or eBay, but they are designed to be anonymous and difficult to trace. They are typically accessed through the Tor network, which allows users to browse the web anonymously by routing their internet connection through a series of servers around the world. This makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track the activities of darknet market users and vendors.

How Do Cybercriminals Use Darknet Markets?

The chances are that most data breaches (whatever the method used to perpetuate the breach) end up with the stolen data on a black market site, for example by phishing. In an exposé article by cyber-intelligence firm DarkOwl, they explain how a hacker group (or possibly an individual) known as “TheDarkOverlord” operates. One such tranche of data up for sale was the health data of 67,000 patients from across several U.S. states. In the USA, according to Javelin Research, there were 14.4 million victims of identity theft during 2018. The previous year saw 16.7 million people have their identity stolen and used for fraudulent purposes. FasterCapital is #1 online incubator/accelerator that operates on a global level.

Cybercriminals use darknet markets to buy and sell a variety of illegal goods and services. Some of the most common items traded on these markets include:

• Drugs: Darknet markets are a major source of illegal drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. These drugs are often sold in bulk quantities and can be shipped anywhere in the world.
• Weapons: Darknet markets are also used to buy and sell illegal weapons, such as firearms, explosives, and knives. These weapons can be used for a variety of criminal activities, including armed robbery, assault, and murder.
• Hacking tools: Darknet markets are a major source of hacking tools and services, such as malware, ransomware, and exploit kits. These tools can be used to launch cyber attacks against individuals, businesses, and governments.
• Stolen data: Darknet markets are a major marketplace for stolen data, such as credit card information, personal identities, and login credentials. This data can be used for a variety of criminal activities, including identity theft, financial fraud, and phishing scams.

FAQs

What is the difference between the dark web and the deep web?

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access. The deep web, on the other hand, is simply the part of the internet that easiest way to make money on dark web is not indexed by search engines, such as private databases and intranets. While the deep web is not necessarily illegal, the dark web is often associated with criminal activity.

How do I access the dark web?

To access the dark web, you will need to use a special browser, such as Tor, which routes your internet connection through a series of servers around the world, making it difficult to trace your activities. It is important to note that the dark web is often associated with criminal activity, and accessing it can be dangerous.

Are darknet markets illegal?

Yes, darknet markets are illegal and are often used to buy and sell illegal goods and services. Law enforcement sites on the dark web agencies around the world are actively working to shut down these markets and prosecute those who use them.

Can darknet markets be trusted?

No, darknet markets are not trustworthy and are often associated with scams and fraud. It is important to be cautious when using these markets and to only deal with reputable vendors.

How can I protect myself from cybercriminals on the dark web?

To protect yourself from cybercriminals on the dark web, it is important to use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and be cautious when clicking on links or downloading files. It is also important to keep your computer and antivirus software up to date, and to use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection and protect your privacy.