AlphaBay was an online marketplace that operated on the dark web, primarily known for facilitating the sale of illegal goods and services, including drugs, counterfeit items, and hacking tools. It was accessible through the Tor network, which provided users with anonymity while browsing and conducting transactions. Launched in 2014, AlphaBay quickly became one of the largest dark web marketplaces until it was shut down by law enforcement in July 2017. Its closure was part of a broader effort to combat illegal online activities, leading to the arrest of several individuals involved in its operations.