A vendor account is an online profile created by individuals or organizations to sell goods or services, often on digital marketplaces. In cybersecurity contexts, the term frequently refers to accounts used on darknet or illicit platforms, where vendors may operate under pseudonyms to maintain anonymity and avoid law enforcement detection. These accounts typically include reputation ratings, transaction histories, and communication channels to facilitate trust and business with buyers. Vendor accounts are targets for hacking, scams, and law enforcement investigations due to their association with illegal activities, such as selling malware, stolen data, or contraband. Protecting vendor accounts with strong authentication is crucial to prevent unauthorized access.