Darkweb research: Past, present, and future trends and mapping to sustainable development goals

Heliyon, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(11), P. e22269 - e22269

Published: Nov. 1, 2023

The Darkweb, part of the deep web, can be accessed only through specialized computer software and used for illegal activities such as cybercrime, drug trafficking, exploitation. Technological advancements like Tor, bitcoin, cryptocurrencies allow criminals to carry out these anonymously, leading increased use Darkweb. At same time, computers have become an integral our daily lives, shaping behavior, influencing how we interact with each other world. This work carries bibliometric study on research conducted Darkweb over last decade. findings illustrate that most clustered into four areas based keyword co-occurrence analysis: (i) network security, malware, cyber-attacks, (ii) data privacy, cryptography, (iii) machine learning, social media, artificial intelligence, (iv) cryptomarket. National Science Foundation from United States is top funder. interfere Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) laid forth by Nations promote peace sustainability current future generations. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions) has highest number publications citations but inverse relationship latter undermines former. highlights need further in blockchain, IoT, NLP, cryptocurrencies, phishing botnets digital forensics, electronic crime countermeasures about elucidates multi-dimensional nature emphasizing intricate between technology, psychology, geopolitics. comprehensive understanding serves a cornerstone evolving effective calls interdisciplinary approach. also delves psychological motivations driving individuals towards highlighting urgency targeted interventions pro-social online behavior.

Language: Английский

---

Policy Evolution and Evaluation of Online Pharmacies Regulation in China: A Quantitative Analysis Based Mixed Models (Preprint)

Published: April 22, 2025

Global drug shortages have posed persistent public health challenges, while internet-based sales recently emerged as a promising solution, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, systematic analyses of national-level regulatory policies for online pharmacies regulation remain limited. To explore structure, thematic focuses, and internal consistency China's national regulating pharmacies. Two researchers independently retrieved screened 22 issued by Chinese government agencies April 1, 2025, based on predefined criteria. Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was used topic extraction, Policy Modeling Consistency (PMC) Index Model constructed, incorporating literature review focus group insights to quantitatively assess policy comprehensiveness quality. First, issuance in China has accelerated significantly between 2016 2022. Second, analysis categorized into five major areas: (1) Internet Drug Trading Health Service Management; (2) Regulation Illegal Sales Pharmacy Online Transactions; (3) Integration Traditional Medicine Treatment Data; (4) Diagnosis Qualification Medical Institution Accreditation; (5) Healthcare Personnel Management Institutional Development. Third, PMC evaluation framework encompassing 10 primary variables 43 secondary indicators, covering dimensions such Nature, Timeliness, Issuing Agency, Incentives Constraints, Content, Stakeholder Protection. Fourth, average score 5.04, classifying “acceptable,” with individual scores ranging from 2.45 6.93. Strengths were identified transactions, curbing counterfeit incidents, enhancing traceability recall mechanisms, protecting consumer rights, promoting compliant deficiencies notable Agency dimensions. While China’s efforts advanced, critical gaps persist. Strengthening oversight circulation storage transactions mitigating risks prescription-free purchases urgent priorities. Future refinements could benefit international best practices, Germany’s rigorous prescription verification systems.

Language: Английский

---

The invisible arms race: digital trends in illicit goods trafficking and AI-enabled responses

Published: Oct. 16, 2023

<p>Recent trends in the modus operandi of technologically-aware criminal groups engaged illicit goods trafficking (e.g., firearms, drugs, cultural artifacts, etc.) have given rise to significant security challenges. The use cryptocurrency-based payments, 3D printing, social media and/or Dark Web by organized crime leads transactions beyond reach authorities, thus opening up new business opportunities actors at expense greater societal good and rule law. As a result, lot scientific effort has been expended on handling these challenges, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) forefront this quest; mostly machine learning data mining methods that can automate large-scale information analysis. Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) graph analytics employed for automatically monitoring analyzing digital activities large networks data-driven manner. However, such practices unavoidably give ethical legal issues, which need be properly considered mitigated. This paper is first one systematically explore all above aspects jointly from combined perspective, without focusing particular angle or type trafficking. It emphasizes how advances AI both allow authorities unravel provide countermeasures against any potential violations citizen rights name security.</p>

Language: Английский

---

Foundations and trends in the darknet-related criminals in the last 10 years: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis

Security Journal, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 28, 2023

Abstract After the Silk Road closure, many studies started focusing on trend and patterns of darknet-related crimes in 2010s. This first study combined a systematic literature review bibliometric analysis field. clarifies 49 articles criminology penology among 1150 publications relating to darknet Web Science database analyze research evolutions this topic last decade. The main findings point out (1) almost all leading authors with their most influential papers came from Global South predominant contributions; (2) unbalancing between regional scholars institutions countries although criminals occurred operated without border; (3) some specialized themes have identified call further extensive such as policing interventions flows cryptocurrency cryptomarkets, others.

Language: Английский

---

Contribution to the harm assessment of darknet markets: topic modelling drug reviews on Dark0de Reborn

Crime Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: May 21, 2024

Abstract Amid the global opioid crisis, volume of drug trade via darknet markets has risen to an all-time high. The steady increase can be explained by reliable operation markets, affected community-building trust factors reducing risks during process trade. This study was designed explore risk reduction efforts community a selected market and therefore contribute harm assessment markets. We performed Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic modelling on customer reviews products ( n = 25,107) scraped from Dark0de Reborn in 2021. obtained model resulting 4 topics (coherence score 0.57): (1) feedback satisfaction with transaction; (2) report order not received; (3) information quality product; (4) vendor reliability. These identified suggest that implemented safer form supply, at payment delivery stages potential harms use. However, pitfalls this community-initiated supply support need for universally available professional checking services. findings, our methodological remarks applying text mining, enhance future research further examine across

Language: Английский

---

Hydra: Lessons from the world's largest darknet market

Criminology & Public Policy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 22(4), P. 735 - 777

Published: Oct. 23, 2023

Abstract Research Summary We present a comprehensive description of Hydra, the largest darknet marketplace in world until its shutdown April 2022. document main features Hydra such as dead‐drop delivery, feedback and reputation system, escrow, dispute resolution. Using data scraped from platform, we quantitatively examine scale structure marketplace. find that it has been highly competitive, geographically covering at least 69% Russian population trading wide variety drugs, while also allowing wholesale trade drugs precursors. The delivery system used on was expensive, courier costs comprised substantial proportion sale price Hydra. contribute to research drug cryptomarkets by studying an unprecedentedly large non‐Western existed substantially longer than any other known market. Policy Implications phenomenon shows shut‐down policies applied marketplaces have effect implicitly shape whole Without these policies, pervasive digitalization can occur. major cost grow is probable increase consumption illegal due convenience for consumers facilitated cooperation between suppliers. This must be weighed against potential benefits, including higher quality decrease violence, incentives self‐regulate. case suggests relevance financial regulation limit growth marketplaces.

Language: Английский

---

Spatiotemporal Mapping of Online Interest in Cannabis and Popular Psychedelics before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 19(11), P. 6619 - 6619

Published: May 29, 2022

Psychedelics represent a unique subset of psychoactive substances that can induce an aberrant state consciousness principally via the neuronal 5-HT2A receptor. There is limited knowledge concerning interest in these chemicals Poland and how they changed during pandemic. Nonetheless, interests be surveyed indirectly web.We aim to conduct spatial-temporal mapping online information-seeking behavior cannabis most popular psychedelics before pandemic.We retrieved information search data Google Trends twenty from 1 January 2017 2022 Poland. We conducted Holt-Winters exponential smoothing for time series analysis infer potential seasonality. utilized hierarchical clustering based on Ward's method find similarities psychedelics' within Poland's voivodships pandemic.Twelve (60%) had significant seasonality; we proved psilocybin ayahuasca annual seasonality (p-value = 0.0120 p 0.0003, respectively), four substances-LSD, AL-LAD, DXM, DOB-exhibited half-yearly seasonality, while six quarterly seasonal pattern, including cannabis, dronabinol, ergine, NBOMe, phencyclidine, salvinorin A. Further, pandemic influenced positive change trends three substances, psilocybin, DXM.Different patterns exist psychedelics, some might correlate with school breaks or holidays The induced changes temporal spatial trends. could valuable health authorities policymakers responsible monitoring preventing addictions.

Language: Английский

---

Ranking Trust Factors Affecting Risk Perception in Illicit Drug Purchase on the Darknet: A Large-Scale Survey Study in Hungary

European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 22, 2023

The process of illicit drug trafficking on darknet markets is highly affected by various trust factors. Although the factors potentially affecting customers' risk perception can be identified based previous research, cyber criminology has not produced empirical research ranking importance specific This study was designed to fill this gap developing a tool that measures To test out measurement tool, large-scale survey with projective situational questions conducted among university students in Hungary. sample (n = 5481) compiled include potential market customers, respondents above-average computer skills needed access darknet, and taking into account are group society particularly exposed consumption. end product matrix purchases markets. Among factors, survey's target ranked reliable undamaged delivery goods reliability vendors as most important. developed will facilitate further criminological vendor reputation. Its findings also point need for providers predict influencing delivery-related customers could effectively reduce demand.

Language: Английский

---

Hydra: A Quantitative Overview of the World's Largest Darknet Market

SSRN Electronic Journal, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Since the first emergence of The Silk Road in 2011, a plethora anonymous online marketplaces have appeared and disappeared. This paper focuses on one such market, Hydra, which was largest darknet marketplace Russia until its shutdown April 2022. describes features this platform provided: user feedback, escrow dispute resolution, certification drug quality. Using two datasets containing data scraped from platform, we analyse spatial distribution listings as well variety types platform. We find that 69\% Russian population live settlement where at least stash available for purchase Hydra. Mephedrone, amphetamine, alpha-PVP, MDMA accounted 67% unique listings. show delivery costs comprised high share final price drugs In addition, examining product feedback ratings are skewed towards highest possible rating value, similar to prior findings relation clearnet market places. To best our knowledge, is quantitative assessment academic literature.

Language: Английский

---

The invisible arms race: digital trends in illicit goods trafficking and AI-enabled responses

Published: Oct. 16, 2023

<p>Recent trends in the modus operandi of technologically-aware criminal groups engaged illicit goods trafficking (e.g., firearms, drugs, cultural artifacts, etc.) have given rise to significant security challenges. The use cryptocurrency-based payments, 3D printing, social media and/or Dark Web by organized crime leads transactions beyond reach authorities, thus opening up new business opportunities actors at expense greater societal good and rule law. As a result, lot scientific effort has been expended on handling these challenges, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) forefront this quest; mostly machine learning data mining methods that can automate large-scale information analysis. Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) graph analytics employed for automatically monitoring analyzing digital activities large networks data-driven manner. However, such practices unavoidably give ethical legal issues, which need be properly considered mitigated. This paper is first one systematically explore all above aspects jointly from combined perspective, without focusing particular angle or type trafficking. It emphasizes how advances AI both allow authorities unravel provide countermeasures against any potential violations citizen rights name security.</p>

Language: Английский

---