The Influence Of Techonological Factors On Dark Web Marketplace Closure

Abstract

The Dark Web serves as a platform to enable a host of illegal cyber activities. One such activity is Dark Web Marketplaces that operate as e-commerce websites but facilitate the sale of illicit goods and services. Various government and law enforcement agencies have surged many resources in trying to reduce dark web marketplace-related cybercrime. Still, dark web users can set up new marketplaces that become even more demanding to infiltrate. This study aimed to understand the influence of technological factors on dark market closures and how this could aid government and law enforcement in responding to dark web marketplace challenges quicker. Literature was synthesized to identify key technological factors that influence marketplace operations. These were: Anonymization, cryptocurrencies, decentralization, and codebase. A conceptual model was then developed and analyzed using quantitative data compiled from 87 dark web marketplaces. The findings suggest each of the technological factors identified has a low likelihood of influencing marketplace closures.