How to Avoid Getting Phished on the Dark Web

#How to Avoid Getting Phished on the Dark Web

#What is Phishing?

Phishing is not just a clearnet thing, it's a thriving business on the dark web, where actually the users of dark web marketplaces are the victims. It's an easy target because dark web marketplaces only work with cryptocurrencies and not regular mainstream centralized money.

#Understanding Dark Web Markets and Cryptocurrencies

Dark web markets are online platforms that operate on the dark web, allowing users to buy and sell goods and services using cryptocurrencies like Monero and Bitcoin. These markets are often used for illicit activities, and their use of cryptocurrencies makes it difficult to track transactions and identify users.

#Where Do Phishers Get Their Victims?

Most phishers are running their scheme for years and have established themselves on the clearnet. What they do is actually really simple but very hard to combat by the markets themselves. They create multiple clearnet websites with great SEO on search words people often use to get information on the dark web and the respective markets. The more experienced darknet users are obviously not going to look for darkweb markets on Google or DuckDuckGo, so the main targets are novice users. If you look for any market using a clearnet search engine, you will find the first 3 pages existing exclusively out of phishing sites/directories. They entice you to use their link to sign-in/up on any marketplace they have listed there, and that is where the trap is set.

#How Phishing Sites Work

Most phishers use what is called a man-in-the-middle (MITM) proxy, which stands for man-in-the-middle proxy. What they effectively do is create a proxy which is standing in between the connection you have to the marketplace. So, everything you type will go through their proxy and gets sent to the actual darknet market, on the other side, everything that gets shown on the market gets through their proxy as well back to you, so they can change things you see on your end. For example, let's say the marketplace has a phishing warning saying: "Please check if you are not on a phishing site, this is our link: xyz.onion." The proxy will change that to their own onion link they provided and which you are then using, making you think you have done the correct thing and checked it and you're safe. Well, you're not.

#How Markets (Try) Prevent You from Accessing Through a Phishing Link

Most markets have an anti-phishing check before you are able to enter the market. This usually consists of a CAPTCHA image showing their official link with some blanks on some of the characters of the links which you should then fill in by checking your URL and fill in the blanks. If you are using a phishing URL, those won't match and your access will be blocked.

#How to Prevent Getting Phished on a Darknet Market

The only way to make sure you do not get phished using a darknet market is by using their official channels for getting a link and bookmark/save it. Never go on a search engine to search for the link because 99.99% chance it's a phishing site. The official channels for markets are usually their subdread, for example:

• DrugHub
• DarkMatter
• Torzon and Blackops

Some markets like DrugHub have a LDN which stands for Link Distribution Network which you can use to get an official link.

There are also trusted link directories like Daunt.link owned by Dread, and there is Tor.Watch. Although the best option remains to get your link directly from the market's subdread and just save it, bookmark it, and you won't get phished.

#What If I Am on the Real Site but Support Tells Me I Lost My Money to a Phishing Site?

If you're an experienced dark web user, you may have seen this scenario discussed on Dread.

When using a phishing site, you can still interact with support, vendors, and access market features, just like on the official site. This is because of how MITM proxies work.

The phishing proxy acts as a filter and a logger. It:

• Logs sensitive information like your username and password
• Alters important information, such as:
  • Changing warnings or omitting them
  • Modifying payment addresses to ones controlled by the phisher
  • Replacing links on the website with ones controlled by the phisher

This makes it difficult to distinguish between a legitimate and phishing site, especially for new users or those in a hurry.

#Tips

• Always use official channels to get the link to a darknet market.
• Never use a search engine to find the link to a darknet market.
• Use a reputable link directory or subdread to find the official link to a market.
• Bookmark the official link to a market and use it every time you want to access it.
• Be aware of phishing warnings and checks implemented by markets.
• Keep your software and operating system up to date to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
• Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.

#Best Practices for Dark Web Users

• Always verify the authenticity of a market before using it.
• Read reviews and feedback from other users to get an idea of the market's reputation.
• Be cautious of markets that seem too good to be true or have unusually low prices.
• Never deposit money on a market without verifying the link.
• Use a secure and reputable payment method, such as monero.

#The Foolproof Method

The only foolproof way to ensure you're accessing a darknet market safely is to get the market's PGP key and use it to verify the signature of the URL every time you access it. Here's how:

• Get the market's PGP key from a trusted source, such as:
  • Daunt: https://daunt.link/
  • Tor.Watch: https://tor.watch/
  • The market's subdread
• Save the PGP key for future reference.
• Every time you get a new link to the market, verify the signature of that URL using the market's PGP key.
• Most markets have their URL signed with their PGP key, so you can verify that the link is legitimate.

By following this method, you can be certain that you're accessing the real market and not a phishing site.

#Conclusion

Phishing is a significant threat on the dark web, and it's essential to take steps to protect yourself. By following the tips and best practices outlined above, you can reduce your risk of getting phished and stay safe on the dark web. Remember to always be cautious and vigilant when using dark web markets, and never take unnecessary risks.

By staying informed and taking the necessary precautions, you can enjoy a safe and secure experience on the dark web.