- Confidential and Proprietary - Luminar Annual Threat Landscape Report Page a Table of Contents 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Dataset and Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 1 2 TRADITIONAL CYBERCRIME UNDERGROUND .......................................................................... 3 2.1 Underground Forums ............................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Underground Marketplaces ..................................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Data Leak Sites ......................................................................................................................................... 5 3 TELEGRAM ............................................................................................................................. 8 3.1 History and Rise in Popularity .................................................................................................................. 8 3.2 Technical Overview ................................................................................................................................ 10 3.2.1 Messaging Options............................................................................................................10 3.2.2 Account and Privacy ..........................................................................................................11 3.2.3 Encryption .........................................................................................................................11 3.2.4 APIs and Bots.....................................................................................................................12 3.2.5 Additional Features ...........................................................................................................12 4 UNDERSTANDING THE SHIFT ................................................................................................ 14 4.1 Dark Web related Factors....................................................................................................................... 14 4.1.1 Law Enforcement Crackdowns..........................................................................................14 4.1.2 Maintenance and Security ................................................................................................15 4.1.3 Platforms Restrictions .......................................................................................................16 4.2 Telegram-related Factors ....................................................................................................................... 16 4.2.1 Accessibility and Convenience ..........................................................................................17 4.2.2 Privacy and Protection ......................................................................................................18 4.2.3 Anonymity .........................................................................................................................19 5 TREND ANALYSIS.................................................................................................................. 20 6 IMPLICATIONS OF THE SHIFT ................................................................................................ 26