Popular dark web marketplace Tor2Door is currently inaccessible, causing significant panic among buyers and vendors who use the platform. A recent report by Searchlight Cyber brought attention to Tor2Door’s extended downtime and the possible reasons behind it.
Concerns around the platform surfaced as far back as Sept. 14, when users of the dark web forum Dread complained they could not access the site.
As of Oct. 5, Tor2Door is still inaccessible, Aidan Murphy, the head of content and communication at Searchlight Cyber, told VPNOverview.
It is unclear why Toor2Door is down. There are numerous theories being circulated on forums, including a possible exit scam by the operators, a law enforcement shutdown, as well as a “super bug” affecting the site.
Buyers and vendors who have funds locked up on the platform have expressed frustration with the entire ordeal. Meanwhile, rival dark web marketplaces are trying to pry away Toor2Door’s users.
Why Is Tor2Door Offline?
Over the last month, there has been a lot of speculation about why Tor2Door is down. Users haven’t received any explanation from administrators and are unable to withdraw their funds. This has led some to believe the operators pulled an “exit scam,” which is known to happen from time to time on the dark web.
“An “exit scam” refers to the admins withdrawing funds from a marketplace – held in on-site wallets or in escrow pending order completion – and disappearing,” Searchlight Cyber explained in its report on Sept. 29.
“The anonymizing nature of Tor and other privacy networks makes exit scams an occupational hazard of buying and selling on dark web marketplaces. High profile markets such as Empire, Yellow Brick and the second iteration of AlphaBay are all believed to have closed in similar fashion.”
The other theories making the rounds are 1) the site admins are working to fix a “super bug,” and 2) law enforcement has finally caught up with Tor2Door’s nefarious business. This year, high-profile global law enforcement operations have resulted in the takedown of major dark web markets Genesis Market and PIILOPUOTI.
About Tor2Door
Tor2Door has been active since January 2020, making it one of the longest-surviving platforms of its kind. According to Searchlight Cyber, the platform had 961 active vendors last year, with over 19,000 listings.
Tor2Door, an English-language marketplace, was known for a variety of illicit activities such as drug trade, fraud, and cybercrime. In fact, the site actively listed financial and personal data for sale. It also advertised guides for hacking email addresses, bypassing 2FA, and deploying botnets for $5 worth of Bitcoin.
While the reason behind Tor2Door’s disappearance may not be clear at the moment, experts at Searchlight Cyber believe it is only a matter of time before a competitor takes its place.
“The ever-shifting makeup of the cybercriminal ecosystem means that other markets will quickly come forward to fill the void left by Tor2Door, just as Tor2Door took advantage of previous markets disappearing. The lifetime of dark web marketplaces is short. Tor2Door’s three-year run is seen on the dark web as a long tenure,” the report reads.
“This fast pace of change makes it imperative for law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals to continuously monitor the dark web for market developments. Early knowledge of Tor2Door’s downtime can help law enforcement continue to track vendors as they migrate to new marketplaces and re-start their criminal operations,” it adds.
Despite its reputation for illegal activities, the dark web is an avenue for many to bypass censorship and exchange information anonymously. However, it is essential to take precautions and be prepared for what you may find on this hidden part of the internet.
Our guide to staying safe on dark web marketplaces is essential reading material for anyone who wants to venture onto the dark web.
