Black Market vs Dark Web: Is Your Data Secure?
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By Farrukh Mushtaq
Farrukh Mushtaq
See author profileFarrukh Mushtaq, a digital marketer at PureSquare, possesses a keen interest in cybersecurity and enjoys writing about it. With several years of experience in the digital marketing industry, he brings expertise and passion to his work.
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14 February 2025
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16 mins read
Drugs, weapons, and stolen data! How do you think it is dealt with online?
There are well-established markets for all these shady activities operating in the dark web. You might have heard about the dark web and black markets that work without any government surveillance. We will discuss how these forums and markets work for all these illegal activities and the risks you might have, even if you are not part of these platforms.
Black Market vs Dark Web: What's the Difference?
Dark Web
The dark web is often considered the place where illegal activities are conducted. It's a hidden part of the internet and requires you to access a TOR browser. Although it could also be used for legitimate purposes, illegal activities thrive at large.
Black Markets
Black markets are used for physical and online illegal markets. Some specific online black markets operate on the dark web, despite stringent enforcement from lawmakers and governments. The dark web provides black markets a breeding place to flourish.
Can You Become the Target of the Black Market on the Dark Web?
Yes, you can become a target of the black market or dark web.
Your Data is Not Secure
The digital black market thrives on stolen personal information, which is a common commodity on the dark web. We can learn from the following examples, which prove the fact that the risk is real and can impact your privacy:
- Cayman Islands banking system hack
- Georgia election database breach
- Washington D.C. police data leaks
Discover if Your Most Critical Identifiers Have Been Exposed on the Dark Web
Receive timely alerts and actionable insights with PurePrivacy's Dark Web Monitoring.
Your Devices are Vulnerable
Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in electronic devices and software to get unauthorized access to personal and confidential data. This means that anyone connected to the internet is at risk of having their data stolen and sold on the markets operating on the dark web.
Georgia’s election board now admits to violations of election law in 2020. It’s over for the election fraud deniers. pic.twitter.com/Fuob7jVL3x
— JOSH DUNLAP (@JDunlap1974) July 16, 2024
The dark web provides a platform for cybercriminals to operate anonymously, making it difficult for law enforcement to track them down. This anonymity makes it easier for criminals to buy and sell stolen data without fear of being caught or tracked by law enforcement agencies.
How Do the Black Markets Use Your Data?
Your information is a valuable asset not only to you but also for running huge illegal platforms and working on the dark web.
1. Malware Development and Distribution
Viruses, worms, bots, and more are designed to compromise internet security. For this purpose, programmers, hackers, and other specialists are hired to deliver spam, phishing attacks, and other methods to trick you.
The goal is to steal sensitive information like login credentials, financial details, and personal data, which is then stored on servers accessible to the criminals.
2. Marketing and Advertising
The black market is as competitive as the regular market. The criminals advertise their data, including your sensitive information, to other criminals. They create offers, promotions, and demos. Sometimes, they even contact you on your social media account to verify the information.
3. Sales and Transactions
The process is similar to everyday goods, but this might be your credit card number.
4. Money Laundering
When your information is stolen, the next step is to make unauthorized transactions or fool some other common people not part of the dark web. The funds stolen are then laundered before they can be used legitimately.
Money mules are hired through fake job offers. These mules are tricked into receiving stolen funds in their accounts and then forwarding them to the cybercriminals' accounts.
A new report reveals that hackers are selling IDs and phone details of business owners on the dark web after a data breach at BRS.
— Moe (@moneyacademyKE) February 3, 2025
BRS has clarified that it is working with cybersecurity experts to assess the extent of the leak
How to Find Out If Your Data is on the Dark Web?
We must be vigilant about our data privacy. A good first step is to check if your data has surfaced on the dark web.
PureVPN offers dark web monitoring, providing real-time alerts if your information appears, giving you enough time to react.
If you suspect your information is compromised, taking these steps is crucial:
- Change your passwords immediately.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Freeze your credit cards.
- Closely monitor your bank and cryptocurrency accounts.
How to Enable Dark Web Monitoring on PureVPN
- Install PureVPN on your device or update your existing VPN app.
- Visit the Members Area to get access.
- Go to Dark Web Monitoring from the main menu.
4. Select Add Assets to Monitor.
5. Add your email address, SSN, credit card number, passport number, and phone number.
6. Mention the code sent to your registered number, and you're done.
7. Take the recommended steps if your data is part of a breach.
8. You can mark breaches as resolved.
How Can a VPN Enhance Online Privacy
Secure and Private Access
A VPN keeps your connection encrypted and routes incoming traffic through a secure server. You can access the dark web or other parts of the internet without the fear of data leaks and exploitation.
Hide Your IP Address
A VPN keeps your IP address hidden and protects your location on multiple platforms, keeping your online identity anonymous.
Prevent Cyber Threats
Prevent scammers, hackers, and malicious actors who target people like you and me with phishing and identity theft.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is an example of a black market?
One example of the black market was The Silk Road, a dark web marketplace that facilitated over $200 million in illegal drugs, weapons, and even murder-for-hire transactions using Bitcoin. The platform was seized, and the owner was sentenced to death, but later, he was pardoned by Donald Trump in January 2025.
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Do black markets still exist?
Yes, black markets exist. People who want to buy and sell things illegally or to perform certain illegal activities trade in black markets. They could be physical, too, but the dark web has facilitated its development with anonymity.
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How do I know if my data is on the black market to trade?
It is tough to know if your data is on the dark web unless you are using PureVPN's dark web monitoring to get real-time notifications whenever someone posts your information on the dark web.
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Can Google take you to the dark web?
No. The dark web is not indexed and can only be accessed through the TOR browser.
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Is the Tor browser safe?
Yes, Tor provides anonymity, but it does not have comprehensive uses. It might not work for all activities and usually is restricted to deep or dark web access. For enhanced safety and privacy across the internet, use PureVPN on your default browsers.
In Conclusion
The dark web and all the illegal activities conducted through these platforms are dangerous and punishable by the law. Your personal information is a valuable commodity in this underground economy, and cybercriminals are constantly seeking ways to obtain and exploit it. Stop your data from falling into the wrong hands.
