We all know that how the global pandemic, of course, COVID-19, has provoked panic and drastic situations over the world. And not only that even it has also produced the rise of black market-related in the Dark Web Scams where cybercriminals selling fake COVID-19 Vaccine, Test kits, Blood samples and more.
The Dark Web or Deep Web is made up of all those web pages that generally do not appear in Google or any other general search engines. As they are the websites that are not indexed, as they contain a whole hidden world inside them.
In more simple words, the darknet simply protects the anonymity of all those who do not want to be found or traced on the internet. And in order to access this “dark cyberspace,” the use of a specific browser is required, like Tor Browser, which simply makes both the information dispenser and its receiver difficult to track.
Dark Web Advertisement Scams
Bizarre side of Coronavirus scams
Security researchers from the DarkOwl security portal have found many illegal advertisements of illegal products, like Masks, other personal protective equipment, ventilators, a strange miscellaneous collection of alleged vaccines, and blood-related items.
Basically, in the least accessible depths of the network, everything is traded like drugs, weapons, explosives, child pornography, data, and much more. Hence, the dark web is full of information, and it is a very succulent place for the virtual business.
The CEO of the well-known cybersecurity firm DarkOwl, Mr. Mark Turnage who searches for and analyzes the dark web content simply to help the companies and the law enforcement, has clearly stated that “This is the digital equivalent of walking down a very dark alley in your city where drugs and weapons are sold, and other illegal activities are carried out. We are seeing a wide spectrum of criminals, from naive users of the dark web to more sophisticated attackers who are taking advantage of the virus in a dreadful way.”
DarkOwl has also found the listings of supposedly infected blood for sale, and sellers proposed that it could be used to infect the enemies of the buyer’s.
Moreover, Sixgill, a cybersecurity company based on Israel, has found over 2,000 listings for sale in a popular dark web market. Even they also stated that the masks could be counted in thousands, but at a very high price, and along with the mask, you will also find fake vaccines and bizarre products as well.
List of Products listed in Dark Web forums due to COVID-19
- Fake COVID-19 Vaccine
- N95 Masks
- Infected Blood
- Ventilators
- Anti-Malarial Drugs
- Fake Test Kits
In short, that fact is that we all have to take the utmost precautions and simply distrust any initiative that comes from uncontested sources, including the messages that come to us with a known appearance as well. Simply we all have to stay alert and check the domain for any suspicious activities.
So, what do you think about this? Simply share all your views and thoughts in the comment section below.
