Dark Web and Black Market

Table of contents

• What is the Dark Web and how was it created
• How the Dark Web black market works
• The main black markets on the Dark Web
• The illegal “shops” of the Dark Web
• The Dark Web’s impact on Italian businesses
• Common myths about the Dark Web

The Dark Web is often shrouded in mystery, portrayed as a hidden corner of the internet used only by criminals. But what truly lies beyond this digital curtain?

In this article, we explore the online black market dynamics, how dark markets work, what illegal goods are sold (from dark web weed to forged documents), the risks for Italian businesses, and the most common myths that should be debunked.

What is the Dark Web and how was it created

The Dark Web is a small portion of the broader Deep Web — that part of the internet not indexed by search engines like Google or Bing. But unlike the Deep Web, which simply includes password-protected pages or private files, the Dark Web is intentionally hidden and only accessible using specialized software like Tor (The Onion Router).

How onion routing works

“Onion routing” refers to the method of encrypting data in multiple layers, similar to the layers of an onion.

Each node in the Tor network only knows the previous and next nodes in the path, never the entire path, which prevents it from tracing back to the source.

Here is a simplified example of how a message is routed:

• The message is encrypted three times:
  • First with the exit node’s key.
  • Then with the intermediate node’s key.
  • Finally with the entry node’s key.
• As the message travels:
  • The entry node removes the first layer.
  • The intermediate node removes the second.
  • The exit node removes the last one and sends the message to the destination server.

Sample Tor configuration for an onion service

If you want to host a website on the Dark Web, this is how you would configure your torrc file:

HiddenServiceDir /var/lib/tor/hidden_service/

HiddenServicePort 80 127.0.0.1:8080

This setup tells Tor to redirect incoming requests to your hidden service to a local HTTP server running on port 8080. The system will generate a .onion address which can be used to access your site anonymously.

abcdefgh12345678.onion

Origins: a military-grade invention

Tor was originally developed in the 1990s by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Research Lab to enable secure and anonymous communication for military and intelligence agents.

To increase the volume of traffic (and thereby the anonymity), the project was released as open source. As a result, Tor became a powerful tool not only for:

• Dissidents under surveillance in countries like China or Iran,
• Whistleblowers and journalists needing to protect their sources,
• But also for cybercriminals, who use it to build online black markets and run illegal services.

How the Dark Web black market works

The Dark Web black market is designed to maximize anonymity and minimize traceability risks for both buyers and sellers. Unlike traditional criminal markets, it operates as a parallel economy, built on three principles: anonymity, decentralization, and cryptocurrency.

Like e-commerce — but criminal

Many dark markets mimic the structure of legitimate online marketplaces. They include:

• Product listings with photos and descriptions;
• User feedback and ratings;
• Encrypted messaging systems;
• Customer support (sometimes via ticketing systems);
• Even refund policies or delivery guarantees.

All communications are encrypted using PGP (Pretty Good Privacy), and payments are made using cryptocurrenciessuch as Bitcoin, Monero, or Zcash, which offer varying levels of privacy and anonymity.

Example: generate PGP key pair on Linux/macOS:

gpg --gen-key

Export the public key to share with a vendor:

gpg --armor --export user@example.com

This allows encrypted communication with vendors, protecting your identity.

What is sold on online black markets?

These black sites sell a wide range of illegal goods, including:

• Dark web weed and other drugs;
• Forged documents (passports, licenses);
• Firearms and ammo;
• Malware and ransomware kits;
• RDP credentials to corporate systems;
• Banking logins and cloned cards;
• Stolen healthcare data (often sold at a premium).

Vendors often update their listings daily and run discounts or special offers. Some platforms also offer vendor ranking systems and premium accounts.

Hosting a hidden service on Tor

To run a hidden service (like a dark market), the torrc configuration might include:

HiddenServiceDir /var/lib/tor/hidden_service/

HiddenServicePort 80 127.0.0.1:8080

This exposes a local web server to the Tor network with an automatically generated .onion address — allowing anyone with the link and a Tor browser to access it anonymously.

Example scenario: buying illegal items

A buyer interested in dark web weed searches a forum like Dread for a trusted vendor’s .onion link. They open Tor Browser, access the market, fund a Bitcoin or Monero wallet, and complete the transaction.

The entire system is pseudonymous — not fully anonymous — and always risky. Undercover agents, scammers, and malicious links are common.

The main black markets on the Dark Web

The rise and fall of dark markets is a recurring cycle on the Dark Web. These platforms often grow quickly, attract thousands of users, and then collapse — sometimes due to law enforcement, sometimes due to scams (exit scams).

Still, each one leaves a legacy that influences new, more secure, decentralized replacements.

1. Silk Road (2011–2013)

Silk Road was the first major darknet market, launched in 2011 by Ross Ulbricht, aka “Dread Pirate Roberts.” It used Tor for anonymity and accepted Bitcoin for transactions.

• Mainly sold illegal drugs, but also offered forged documents and hacking tools.
• Shut down in 2013 by the FBI, who seized the site and over 144,000 BTC.

Its layout resembled eBay, complete with user reviews, seller ratings, and product pages.

2. AlphaBay (2014–2017, re-launched 2021)

After Silk Road’s shutdown, AlphaBay became the biggest dark market, boasting 400,000+ users and 10,000+ vendors.

• Offered items like dark web weed, malware, stolen databases, forged passports.
• Accepted Monero as well as Bitcoin for enhanced privacy.
• Dismantled in 2017 during Operation Bayonet; founder Alexandre Cazes was arrested in Thailand.
• A relaunch was announced in 2021, focusing on decentralization and enhanced security.

3. Empire Market (2018–2020)

Following AlphaBay’s closure, Empire Market rose quickly due to its clean UI and reliable uptime.

• Offered everything from narcotics to credit card data to RDP credentials.
• Enforced PGP encryption for all user-vendor communication.
• Disappeared without warning in 2020 with an estimated $30 million in crypto gone — likely an exit scam.

4. Hydra Market (until 2022)

Hydra was a Russian-language market that dominated the eastern darknet scene.

• Specialized in drug trafficking, money laundering, cash-out services, and tailored cybercrime.
• Integrated local Russian payment methods and delivery logistics.
• Shut down in 2022 via a joint U.S.-German operation, with servers and crypto wallets seized.

New decentralized black markets

Since the fall of large markets, new dark web sites have emerged with innovations in:

• Blockchain smart contracts and multi-signature wallets;
• Broad adoption of Monero for untraceable payments;
• Mandatory PGP usage for communications;
• In some cases, fully decentralized models (e.g., OpenBazaar, a peer-to-peer dark marketplace).

This evolution shows how the online black market continues to adapt and evade law enforcement through innovation.

The illegal “shops” of the Dark Web

The Dark Web black market extends far beyond well-known marketplaces like AlphaBay or Empire. A distributed network of illegal “sales points” operates across:

• Encrypted Telegram channels;
• Closed invitation-only forums on Tor or clearnet;
• Private IRC servers;
• Decentralized boards and P2P platforms.

These environments are considered “lower profile” and harder to track, making them appealing to seasoned vendors and cybercriminals.

Criminal storefronts and “dark web images”

Vendors often showcase images from the Dark Web, such as:

• Photos of counterfeit passports;
• Scanned or stacked cloned credit cards;
• Packs of dark web weed for sale;
• Phishing kits and ransomware control panels;
• Screenshots of breached company admin panels.

A typical listing might look like:

RDP Access - ITALY - Medium Business - Admin rights 

Price: $200 BTC / Monero 

Delivery time: 24h 

Guarantee: 3 days active access

Some vendors even offer custom access packages, targeting specific sectors like banking, healthcare, or manufacturing, tailored to regional or national demand.

Trust and deception in the underground

Just like on Amazon or eBay, vendors build reputation over time:

• Based on successful deliveries,
• Quality of goods or access,
• Responsiveness to encrypted messages,
• Willingness to refund or replace.

However, a high reputation doesn’t ensure trust. In fact, exit scams are common, where trusted vendors suddenly disappear with all client funds. Moreover, many downloadable items (e.g., keyloggers or ransomware builders) contain stealth malware aimed at infecting the buyer.

Buyers face serious risks

Engaging in these environments comes with major dangers:

1. Technical risks – malware infections, spyware, compromised wallets.
2. Legal consequences – merely browsing or downloading may constitute a criminal offense.

For these reasons, exploring these “sales points” is extremely hazardous, even for curious users or researchers.

The Dark Web’s impact on Italian businesses

The online black market in the Dark Web poses a major threat to Italian companies, particularly those lacking proper cyber security infrastructure.

The theft and sale of sensitive corporate data is rampant across dark markets, where a company’s digital identity can be compromised and monetized within hours.

What’s being sold from Italian companies?

On popular dark web sites, listings often include:

• Login credentials to VPNs, RDP, and admin dashboards;
• Confidential projects, industrial patents, and technical documentation;
• Corporate bank account access and credit card data;
• Customer databases with emails, phone numbers, and tax IDs;
• Medical records and patient reports (especially from healthcare entities).

One 2024 report exposed a listing selling full admin access to a Northern Italian manufacturing firm’s order management system for 400 $ in Monero.

Most affected sectors in Italy

Based on findings from agencies like CERT-AGID, the sectors most targeted in Italy are:

• Public and private healthcare (due to outdated systems and valuable data);
• Banking and insurance (for access to sensitive accounts and financial data);
• Manufacturing and industry (for intellectual property theft and sabotage).

In 2023, a major healthcare provider in Northern Italy was hit by a ransomware attack. The encrypted files were later published on a dark web leak site operated by an Eastern European cybercriminal group, demanding a ransom in cryptocurrency.

Admin access on sale

Listings like this are common across dark web forums:

ADMIN Access - IT Company - Milan

RDP/Domain Controller - 100% Uptime

Price: $350 (Bitcoin / Monero)

Includes: 7 days of tech support + VPN credentials

With just a few hundred dollars, an attacker can take full control of a company’s infrastructure, enabling them to:

• Deploy ransomware;
• Monitor emails and internal chats;
• Manipulate financial and accounting records;
• Disable firewalls and security systems.

In many cases, the attack ends with a ransom demand, or the resale of stolen data to competitors, causing reputational and financial damage.

Common myths about the Dark Web

The perception that the Dark Web is solely a haven for criminals is one of the most widespread and misleading myths. While it does host illicit activity, the Dark Web was created to support freedom of expression and privacy, especially in repressive regimes. Many Dark Web experiences are legal and ethically valuable.

1. The Dark Web is only for criminals

False. The Dark Web is also used by:

• Journalists in countries with state censorship (e.g., Iran, China, North Korea);
• Political activists and dissidents to communicate safely;
• Whistleblowers exposing corporate or government wrongdoing via platforms like SecureDrop.

They rely on Tor’s encryption and anonymity to protect themselves, not to engage in crime.

2. The black market is easy to find

False. Some believe typing “black market where to find it” will yield direct access to illegal sales. In reality:

• Reliable markets are rare and well-hidden;
• Access often requires private invites, vouching, or vetting via darknet forums;
• Many links are scams or honeypots set up by law enforcement.

Fake sites frequently mimic real ones to steal crypto from inexperienced users.

3. The Dark Web is perfectly safe and untraceable

False. While Tor provides anonymity, it is not foolproof. Law enforcement has taken down multiple dark markets using:

• Server misconfiguration exploits;
• Cryptocurrency tracing (more effective with Bitcoin, harder with Monero);
• Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques;
• Undercover agents infiltrating communities and forums.

Also, simply clicking the wrong link can:

• Install malware on your device;
• Leak your IP address via browser exploits;
• Enable doxing attacks (leak of personal info);
• Grant hackers access to your webcam or microphone.

Questions and answers

1. What is the Dark Web?
   It’s the hidden part of the internet, accessible only with special tools like Tor.
2. What’s sold in online black markets?
   Drugs, weapons, stolen data, malware, fake IDs, and hacking services.
3. Is the Dark Web illegal?
   Accessing it isn’t illegal, but many activities within it are.
4. How do I access black sites?
   With Tor browser and the specific .onion links.
5. Is browsing the Dark Web safe?
   Not necessarily — there are malware, scams, and law enforcement traps.
6. Difference between Deep Web and Dark Web?
   Deep Web = unindexed content; Dark Web = encrypted, anonymous networks.
7. Are there real images from the Dark Web?
   Yes, often used for showcasing products or extortion threats.
8. What is a dark market?
   An illegal e-commerce site on the Dark Web.
9. Are Italian companies affected by the Dark Web?
   Yes, especially through ransomware, data leaks, and access sales.
10. Can I get in trouble for visiting the Dark Web?
    Yes, depending on what you access or download, it can be risky or illegal.