Therefore, for security reasons, disable JavaScript on the Tor browser and enjoy an anonymous browsing experience on the dark net. The website allows visitors to view all the goods and services on display before they buy something. However, the platform lacks an advanced search option and a wallet-free payment option. The ASAP is a moderate design marketplace on the dark web that offers helpful tools like mandatory PGP encryption and two-factor authentication for a safe browsing experience. Like other marketplaces, ASAP Market also requires you to register for an account. If any user is found not complying with the law, strict and immediate action will be taken against them.
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These software are also capable of launching DDoS attacks and phishing campaigns. Once many users begin to rely on the site and store funds in escrow, the operators disappear, taking all the money with them and leaving their customers and clients with nothing. They sell these files for just a fraction of the original cost on the surface web or even share freely, which makes them tempting for people looking for shortcuts. While it might be tempting, remember that downloading such content has serious legal and cybersecurity risks. In many countries, strict laws limit who can legally buy, own, or carry firearms. So when someone like a private buyer or criminal group can’t pass the background checks or get the right permits, they usually turn to the dark web to sidestep the rules and get armed without drawing attention.
So, the doubling time of publications is 3.67 years, and the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is 10%. We observe that post-2015, when SDGs were adopted, publications and citations nearly doubled 51. The data suggests that the field of Darkweb research has grown and become more established over the past decade, with an increasing number of researchers conducting and citing research on the topic. Bibliometric studies use quantitative analysis to examine the productivity, Influence, and other facets of the research environment. The PRISMA-P 2015 framework was used to build the dataset for the analysis 29.
Over the past ten years, the site has focused on maintaining user anonymity and protecting user information, mainly using TOR, while also ensuring users’ financial security by implementing measures such as coin mixing and dispute resolution mechanisms. The site has faced ongoing attacks from governments and other actors seeking to compromise user privacy. Since the shutdown of some of the most prominent Western dark web forums, significant developments in the Chinese darknet have also surfaced.
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- Major drug markets in the Dark Web are now worth around $315 million annually according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
- The future of dark tourism looks promising, with global market projections indicating substantial growth in the coming years.
- An intuitive, user-friendly interface is crucial, especially given the complex nature of dark-web interactions.
- Perhaps the only major difference between this and name-brand vendors’ websites were the options to pay.
Even with the increase in law enforcement pressure, the dark web market still achieved a revenue of $2 billion in 2024. Therefore, as long as this dark part of the internet exists, these marketplaces will flourish and emerge. Darknet or dark web marketplaces are a hidden part of the internet that surface web users can’t access; they can only be accessed with special anonymity software called Tor. Many people (mostly criminals) use these sites to perform illegal transactions such as selling banned goods and services. This report analyzes the structure of internet sources used by Chinese-speaking threat actors to facilitate cybercriminal activities. It focuses specifically on advertisements, posts, and interactions on Chinese-language dark web marketplaces and cybercrime-related Telegram channels.
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Darkweb forums are crucial for forensic investigations, as anonymity can also be used to identify criminals. The effort in analyzing and processing digital evidence aids law enforcement personnel in capturing criminals and shutting down illicit sites on the Darkweb. A critical analysis of the literature on Darkweb studies related to terrorism was conducted 21. They recommend utilizing advanced artificial intelligence, image processing, natural language processing, and other techniques to detect and, more importantly, predict terrorist incidents on the Darkweb.
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Moreover, the demand for faster, more precise production in sectors such as automotive, electronics, and pharmaceuticals is pushing the adoption of additive manufacturing technologies. In addition, global shifts toward digital innovation and Industry 4.0 initiatives are accelerating the implementation of fully automated smart factories, further propelling the market growth. In addition, the ongoing digital transformation is playing a key role in boosting industry growth, as businesses across industries are increasingly integrating advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and cloud computing into their manufacturing ecosystems.
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The top keywords in this cluster, themed Network Security, Malware, and Cyber-attacks, are shown in Table 6. This cluster exemplifies the usefulness of probing Darknets in their ability to serve as network telescope and cyber intelligence tools while offering benefits to studying large-scale attacks’ evolution. The human behavior of seeking anonymity and engaging in criminal activities on the Darkweb fuels security threats. Understanding the motivations and attitudes of those who participate in these activities on the Darkweb can inform strategies to prevent and mitigate network security breaches, malware attacks, and cyber-attacks. Highly cited articles in this cluster are shown in Table 6 and analyzed further.
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A further limitation of bibliometric analyses that rely on abstract databases such as Scopus or Google Scholar is that the coverage of these databases may need to be completed. These databases may include only some relevant papers, particularly those published in less well-known or less prestigious journals or languages other than English 86. This can lead to a biased view of the research landscape, as papers not included in the database will not be included in the analysis.
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Additionally, the trend of network automation and the shift towards scalable and secure network solutions are further propelling market growth. Nemesis was established in 2021 and operated as a criminal marketplace on the darknet, an encrypted network within the Internet that can only be accessed with special anonymity-enhancing browsers. Drug traffickers active on Nemesis sold fentanyl around the world, both on its own and surreptitiously laced into other drugs. Abacus Market has emerged as one of the most reputable and widely used dark-web marketplaces in 2025. Founded in early 2023, shortly after major law enforcement operations shut down several competing platforms, Abacus quickly filled the void by prioritizing reliability, advanced security, and user anonymity. The vendors in many cases obtain that sensitive information by recruiting insiders from Chinese surveillance agencies and government contractors and then reselling their access, no questions asked, to online buyers.
China has officially entered the era of dark factories—fully automated manufacturing facilities that operate without human workers or even the need for lighting. These highly advanced production centers rely entirely on AI-driven robotics, IoT networks, and intelligent automation protocols to ensure seamless, 24/7 operation with minimal energy consumption. Firstly, the study provides a comprehensive bibliometrics analysis of a corpus of 1068 publications from 2012 to 2022, including the pandemic period, which played a crucial role in the Darkweb’s use by both legitimate and illegitimate users. Secondly, this study identifies thematic areas of research based on science mapping analysis. Thirdly, while previous studies have examined related topics such as cryptocurrencies and Darkweb 14, 15, 16, our study is the first to examine the direct mapping of Darkweb research to SDGs.
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More resourceful threat actors will move their cyber operations abroad or focus more on foreign data/access to diversity their portfolio, recruiting foreign cybercriminals to participate in cyberattacks against global entities. The Darkweb is a platform for illegal activities such as drug trafficking driven by human behavior, including motivations for seeking illicit substances and financial gain. Psychological factors, such as impulsiveness, lack of self-control, and the need for immediate gratification, can contribute to an individual’s involvement in these illegal activities.
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Today’s action, taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059, which targets proliferators of narcotics and their means of production, underscores the United States’ commitment to combatting all means of supplying narcotics to the United States. Treasury remains focused on the risks posed by darknet marketplaces, as highlighted in previous designations of Genesis Market on April 5, 2023, and of Hydra Market on April 5, 2022. The Silk Road was a famous dark web marketplace where users could buy and sell goods and services anonymously.
