Malware Trends on ‘Darknet’ Crypto-Markets: Research Review

Abstract

This is an overview of current trends in online illicit crypto-markets or dark-nets, including the key role of virtual crypto-currencies in their operation. The focus is on the different kinds of digital products that are found in these on-line ‘dark markets’. Primary data was collected from relevant websites accessed via The Onion Router (Tor). Tor allows anonymous encrypted communication between web-sites, and data capture over several months from one of the largest crypto-markets currently active - Dream Market enabled a description of short-term trends in the different malware products and their costs as available in underground or ‘dark-net’ crypto-markets.

Keywords: cybercrime, malware, crypto-markets