• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

CINA.

  • About
    • Mission
    • People
  • Research
    • Research
    • Projects
    • RFPs
  • Education
    • Resources
    • Internships
  • Publications
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Director’s Blog
  • News & Events
    • News
    • CINA Director’s Blog
    • Digital Archive
    • Events
    • Work with Us
  • Contact
  • Search Toggle
  • Skip to content

Open Source Intelligence in Online Stolen Data Markets: Assessment of Network Disruption Strategies

Little is known about the scale and scope of online stolen data markets, including how these markets operate and the actors involved in these operations. As governments, businesses, and consumers increasingly move to the internet to manage their finances and operations, parallel increases in the number of data breaches and hacking incidents have emerged. Absent data on online stolen data markets, one of the main challenges facing researchers and policy markets is how to effectively respond to and disrupt these emerging illicit markets.

A CINA team at Georgia State University conducted research to study trends in criminal activity on dark web criminal public sites. The project fills critical knowledge gaps in the study of online stolen data markets by shedding light on the ways in which actors in online market emerge and evolve over time, how they structure their operations, and their resilience to disruption.

This project advances our understanding of criminal activity on the dark web and provides investigators with insight into emerging trends of dark web activities, including how these markets respond to potential disruption strategies.

The project team has compiled and analyzed a longitudinal, anonymized dataset collected from public, online stolen data marketplaces over an eight-month period. To request more information on data collection and parsing tools developed and used by the team, and data analyses in the study, please contact [email protected].

Research Products:

Publications:
The network of online stolen data markets: How vendor flows connect digital marketplaces
Final Report: “Open Source Intelligence in Online Stolen Data Markets: Assessment of Network Disruption Strategies

Topics:

  • Dark web
  • Open source data

Research Areas:

  • Criminal network analysis
  • Dynamic patterns of criminal activity
  • Network analytics

Investigators

  • David Maimon
  • Marie Ouellet
  • Yubao Wu

Related Publications:

  • The network of online stolen data markets: How vendor flows connect digital marketplaces
  • Final Report: Open Source Intelligence in Online Stolen Data Markets: Assessment of Network Disruption Strategies

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

CINA Now

Events

All Events

Publications

The Key to Deobfuscation is Pattern of Life, not Overcoming Encryption

Published: Oct 4, 2025

The Organized Activities of Ransomware Groups: A Social network Approach

Published: Mar 14, 2025
All Publications

News

CINA Distinguished Speaker Series with Colton Seale: Interviewer Mindset

CINA  |   April 3, 2025  |   Posted In:
  • Digital Archive
  • Uncategorized

CINA  |   March 6, 2025  |   Posted In:
  • Uncategorized
All News

Science and Technology Directorate’s Office of University Programs
CINA at George Mason University Logo
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved | CINA Is A Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence led by George Mason University
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • YouTube