Reference
Darknet Glossary
Understanding darknet terminology is important for safe navigation of marketplaces and forums. This complete glossary covers everything from basic market jargon to advanced security concepts. Whether you're new to the darknet or looking to understand specific terms, this alphabetically organized reference will help you communicate effectively and understand the ecosystem. Terms are updated regularly to reflect the evolving language of the darknet community.
A
2FA
Two-Factor Authentication - an extra security layer requiring two forms of verification to access an account. On darknet markets, this typically uses PGP encryption.
Atomic Swap
Peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchange without intermediaries, often used to swap BTC for XMR without exchanges.
Auto-Encrypt
Feature that automatically encrypts messages with PGP before sending, simplifying secure communication.
Auto-Finalize
Automatic release of escrow funds after a set period if buyer doesn't act. Usually 14 days.
Anonymity Set
The group of possible users a transaction could belong to. Larger sets provide better privacy.
B
Blockchain
Distributed ledger technology underlying cryptocurrencies. Records all transactions permanently.
BTC
Bitcoin - the original cryptocurrency, has transparent blockchain where all transactions are publicly visible.
Bridges
Unlisted Tor entry points used when direct Tor access is blocked by ISPs or governments.
Burner
Disposable phone, email, or account used for one-time communication and then discarded.
Buyer Protection
Escrow policies that protect buyers from vendor fraud, including refund guarantees.
C
Captcha
Challenge-response test to prove you're human, often used at login to prevent automated attacks.
Clearnet
The regular internet accessible without Tor. Also called surface web.
CoinJoin
Bitcoin mixing technique that combines multiple transactions to break blockchain tracing.
Controlled Delivery
Law enforcement technique where they allow a package to be delivered while monitoring the recipient.
Circuit
The path your connection takes through Tor - typically 3 relays (guard, middle, exit).
D
Dead Drop
Physical location where items are left for pickup without direct contact between parties.
Decoy
Additional items in a package to disguise actual contents from inspection.
Dispute
Formal complaint to market moderators about a transaction problem.
Dread
Reddit-like forum on Tor for darknet discussion. Primary communication hub for the community.
Dox/Doxxing
Revealing someone's real identity or personal information publicly.
E
Encryption
Process of encoding data so only authorized parties can read it.
Escrow
Payment held by market until buyer confirms receipt. Protects against vendor fraud.
Exit Node
Final Tor relay before traffic reaches destination. Only sees traffic to clearnet sites.
Exit Scam
When market admins steal all user funds and disappear. Major risk of centralized markets.
EXIF
Metadata embedded in images that can reveal location, device info, and timestamp.
F
FE
Finalize Early - releasing payment before receiving order. Extremely risky, often required by scammers.
Finalize
Confirming receipt and releasing funds from escrow to the vendor.
Fingerprinting
Tracking users by browser/device characteristics rather than cookies.
Forum
Discussion boards where market announcements, reviews, and community discussions occur.
G
GPG/GnuPG
GNU Privacy Guard - open-source implementation of PGP encryption standard.
Guard Node
First Tor relay in your circuit. Knows your real IP but not your destination.
H
Hidden Service
Website or service accessible only through Tor (.onion address).
Hot Wallet
Cryptocurrency wallet connected to the internet. More convenient but less secure than cold storage.
K
Key Pair
Public and private key used together for encryption. Public encrypts, private decrypts.
KYC
Know Your Customer - identity verification required by centralized exchanges. Creates paper trail.
L
LE
Law Enforcement - agencies investigating darknet activity.
Listing
A product for sale on a market, including description, price, and shipping options.
Love Letter
Customs seizure notice informing you that your package was intercepted and contents confiscated.
LTC
Litecoin - cryptocurrency sometimes accepted on markets, faster but less private than Monero.
M
Market
Platform where vendors sell products and buyers make purchases using cryptocurrency.
Mirror
Alternative .onion address for the same market. Used for load balancing and redundancy.
Mixing
Breaking the blockchain trail by combining your coins with others to obscure the source.
Mnemonic
Recovery phrase (usually 12-24 words) that can restore access to accounts or wallets.
Moderator
Market staff member who resolves disputes between buyers and vendors.
Multisig
Multi-signature - requires 2 of 3 parties to approve transactions. Protects against exit scams.
N
No-JS
Browsing without JavaScript enabled for increased security and anonymity.
Node
Server in the Tor network that routes traffic. Also refers to cryptocurrency network participants.
O
Onion
.onion address - Tor hidden service URL ending in .onion, only accessible through Tor.
OpSec
Operations Security - full range of practices and mindset to protect your identity and activities.
P
P2P
Peer-to-peer - direct transactions between users without central intermediary.
PGP
Pretty Good Privacy - encryption standard for secure communication and identity verification.
Phishing
Fake site designed to steal login credentials by impersonating legitimate markets.
Private Key
Secret key that decrypts messages and proves identity. Never share this with anyone.
Public Key
Key shared publicly so others can encrypt messages that only you can read.
R
Refund
Return of funds to buyer, typically after a successful dispute.
Relay
Server that forwards Tor traffic. Three types: guard, middle, and exit.
Reship
Vendor sending replacement for lost or seized package, usually at reduced cost.
Ring Signature
Monero cryptographic feature that mixes your transaction with others to hide the sender.
RingCT
Ring Confidential Transactions - Monero feature that hides transaction amounts.
S
Scammer
Fraudulent vendor or user who takes money without delivering products or services.
Seed Phrase
Backup phrase for cryptocurrency wallets. Same as mnemonic. Critical to keep secure.
Stealth
How well a package is disguised to avoid detection by inspectors.
Stealth Address
Monero feature creating unique one-time address for each transaction for privacy.
T
Tails
The Amnesic Incognito Live System - privacy-focused OS that leaves no trace and routes all traffic through Tor.
Tor
The Onion Router - network for anonymous browsing using layered encryption.
TOTP
Time-based One-Time Password - 2FA codes that change every 30 seconds.
Tracking
Following package delivery status. Some vendors provide tracking, others don't for security.
Tumbling
Another term for mixing cryptocurrency to break the blockchain trail.
V
Vendor
Seller on a darknet market who lists products and fulfills orders.
Vendor Bond
Deposit required by markets for vendors to start selling. Deters scammers.
Verified
Vendor or link confirmed as legitimate through multiple trusted sources.
W
Wallet
Software or hardware that stores cryptocurrency and allows transactions.
Walletless
Market design where funds go directly to escrow without requiring user deposits.
Whonix
Security-focused OS using virtual machines to isolate Tor from the host system.
X
XMR
Monero - privacy-focused cryptocurrency with hidden transactions. Recommended for darknet use.