Frequently Asked Questions

A darknet market is an online marketplace operating on the dark web, accessible only through specialized software like Tor Browser. These platforms facilitate anonymous transactions using cryptocurrency and implement security features like escrow systems and PGP encryption to protect user privacy.

To access darknet markets safely, follow these essential steps:

• Download Tor Browser from the official Tor Project website
• Use a VPN for an additional privacy layer
• Never use personal information or real identities
• Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) on all accounts
• Use PGP encryption for all sensitive communications
• Only access verified onion links from trusted sources
• Keep your Tor Browser and security tools updated

An onion link is a special URL ending in .onion that can only be accessed through the Tor network. These links provide anonymous access to hidden services on the dark web. Onion routing encrypts data multiple times and routes it through several nodes, making it extremely difficult to trace the origin or destination of traffic.

Escrow is a security mechanism where funds are held by a trusted third party (the marketplace) until the buyer confirms receipt of goods. This protects both buyers and sellers from fraud. The process works as follows:

• Buyer places order and sends payment to escrow
• Seller ships the product
• Buyer receives and confirms the order
• Funds are released to the seller

Multi-signature escrow requires multiple parties to authorize fund release, providing enhanced security against marketplace exit scams.

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption is crucial for protecting sensitive communications on darknet markets. It ensures that only the intended recipient can read your messages, protecting addresses, personal details, and transaction information from interception. Most reputable markets require PGP for sensitive data exchange. Without PGP, your communications could be intercepted by malicious actors or compromised servers.

Monero (XMR) is considered the best cryptocurrency for darknet transactions due to its built-in privacy features:

• Ring Signatures: Hide the sender among a group of possible signers
• Stealth Addresses: Generate unique addresses for each transaction
• RingCT: Conceals transaction amounts

Bitcoin with proper mixing services is also widely accepted, though less private by default. Always use fresh addresses and avoid reusing wallets.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds an extra security layer to your account by requiring a second verification method beyond your password. This typically involves a time-based code from an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy. 2FA significantly reduces the risk of account compromise even if your password is stolen through phishing or data breaches.

To verify a legitimate onion mirror:

• Check multiple trusted sources for the official link
• Verify PGP signatures if provided by the marketplace
• Look for SSL certificates on the onion site (HTTPS)
• Check community forums and trusted directories for verified links
• Never trust links from untrusted sources, emails, or random websites
• Bookmark verified links after first successful access

Risks include:

• Potential legal consequences depending on jurisdiction
• Scams from dishonest vendors
• Exit scams where markets disappear with user funds
• Phishing sites mimicking legitimate markets
• Malware and security vulnerabilities
• Law enforcement operations and monitoring

Always prioritize security, use escrow, verify vendors through reviews, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Tor: Routes your traffic through multiple volunteer-operated nodes, providing strong anonymity but slower speeds. No single entity knows both your identity and destination.

VPN: Encrypts your connection to a single server operated by the VPN provider. Faster but requires trusting the VPN company.

For maximum privacy, many users combine both: VPN before Tor hides Tor usage from your ISP, while Tor provides anonymity that doesn't rely on trusting a single VPN provider.

Vendor ratings are based on buyer feedback after completed transactions. Key metrics include:

• Overall Rating: Average score from all reviews (typically 1-5 stars)
• Number of Reviews: Total completed transactions with feedback
• Recent Feedback: Reviews from the last 30-90 days
• Dispute Rate: Percentage of orders that resulted in disputes

Always check recent reviews and be cautious of vendors with few reviews or sudden rating changes.

If a market goes offline:

• Check official mirror links - markets often have backup URLs
• Wait 24-48 hours as it may be temporary maintenance or DDoS attack
• Check community forums for official announcements
• Never send funds to "recovery" addresses from unverified sources
• If it's an exit scam, report to community warning systems
• Use multi-signature escrow to minimize risk of fund loss