The integration of blockchain-based smart contracts is also becoming widespread, automating secure transactions and reducing the likelihood of fraud. Archetyp had more than 17,000 listings at the time of its takedown from around 3,200 registered vendors, and was one of the few marketplaces of its kind that allowed the sale of fentanyl. The scale of its operation puts it on a similar level to the dark web’s previous marketplace monopolizers such as Dream and Silk Road.
Where Funds Go After Leaving Darknet Markets
Prices for this stolen data can vary, from as little as $10 to more than $500. Nevertheless, successful law enforcement actions succeed in damaging the providers’ trust in the marketed product at least in some way. According to a report by the blockchain data company Chainalysis, the estimated revenue of these illicit markets decreased from a lofty $3.1 billion in 2021 to just above $2 billion in 2024. Some listings even offer access to botnets, servers that have been hacked, and sometimes databases of leaked information, and sometimes fake IDs. We are talking about credentials for applications, banking information, malware kits, exploits, and ransomware-as-a-service offerings.
Cybercrime And Hacking Dark Web Statistics
A recent study found that only a tiny portion of Tor’s daily users connect to the Dark Web with the intent to engage in illicit activities. This suggests that most people use Tor to surf the internet anonymously. Short for “The Onion Router,” Tor uses the decentralized onion routing network to allow users to browse the internet anonymously. Unlike VPNs, which also provide anonymity, it reroutes the users’ traffic through a network of nodes rather than just a single server. This way, Tor makes it much more difficult to trace the traffic back to the original user. Additionally, Tor enables users to access darknet sites hosted on .onion domains, something most common browsers can’t do.
Proactive Cybersecurity Measures
Darknet is your best source for the latest hacking tools, hacker news, cyber security best practices, ethical hacking & pen-testing. Following stricter bans on Telegram channels hosting cybercriminals, experts predict a resurgence of activity on dark web forums. Cybercriminals are expected to exploit trusted company-contractor relationships, breaching contractor systems to access corporate data. This tactic, seen in 2024 with incidents involving Ticketmaster and IntelBroker, could lead to an overall rise in data breaches. Black traffic schemes—malicious landing pages promoted via deceptive ads—remained a constant threat.
In early 2025, dark web markets saw a resurgence after a relatively quiet 2024. Several new marketplaces appeared, boasting improved encryption, decentralized infrastructure, and stronger vendor accountability. Many leaned into Monero (XMR) and other privacy-focused cryptocurrencies, abandoning Bitcoin due to its increasingly traceable nature. These platforms promised higher security, faster service, and tighter vetting of vendors—all in response to previous market collapses and law enforcement infiltration. Still, even with these crackdowns and better defenses, dark web markets just keep coming back. As long as people want to buy and sell illegal stuff online, be it stolen data, narcotics, drugs, or malware, these markets will keep resurfacing, no matter how many times authorities take them down.
Illicit And Risky Use-Cases
Here are some of the tools and practices that businesses can use to avoid falling foul of cybercriminals on the dark web. Now that there are organizations that employ trained and certified cybersecurity experts to detect vulnerabilities and gaps, hackers have other motivations. The evolution of these motivations really goes hand-in-hand with the evolution of hacking, in general.
- Many buyers and sellers have migrated to encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and Session, where trades occur in private, decentralized groups with fewer digital footprints.
- By mid-2025, several high-profile marketplaces were either hacked, exit scammed, or seized.
- Dark web hackers often use malware such as keyloggers, ransomware, and trojan horses to access sensitive information and cause damage.
- Employee training programs enhance awareness of phishing schemes and social engineering attacks.
- Its intuitive interface and advanced search features make it easy to find local and global products.
Plateau In Bitcoin Mixer Services
In the weeks leading up to its takedown, Archetyp had already started to show signs of trouble. Users encountered ‘maintenance’ messages and several alternative access links failed to load. The Tor browser, short for The Onion Router, is software that allows users to access the Tor network. Navy, it anonymizes Internet activity by routing data through multiple servers, masking your IP address.
It offers a wide range of goods and services with robust anti-DDoS protection (with military-grade security protocols) and no JavaScript, ensuring privacy and uptime. This guide outlines different ways of safely accessing dark web stores and the list of reliable dark web marketplaces you can consider visiting in 2025 for research and monitoring purposes. Looking ahead, experts anticipate a rise in data breaches through contractor relationships, as threat actors exploit trusted connections to infiltrate organizations. The migration of criminal activities from Telegram back to dark web forums is also expected, driven by increasing bans on Telegram channels. The story of Hydra is yet another in a series of creepy facts about the Dark Web.
In Fact, In 2024, Telegram Channels Were A Prominent Hub For Drainer-related Activity
As we mentioned earlier, not everything sold on dark web markets is illegal. As terrible as its reputation may be, some vendors sell legitimate goods or services. Some customers even use the dark web to make anonymous purchases, especially in areas where privacy is a huge concern.
However, insider threats—those originating within an organization—remain a significant and growing concern. In 2024 alone, 83% of organizations reported at least one insider attack, according to Cybersecurity Insiders’ 2024 Insider Threat Report. The Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report highlights a dramatic increase in the percentage of breaches involving internal actors, jumping from 20% to 35% this year.
Take advantage of Prey’s no-risk, 14-day trial and give you and your business the protection it deserves. Schools and other educational institutions were the number-one most attacked market in 2022 according to Check Point Research, seeing a 43% increase compared to 2021. The same report found that the healthcare industry also saw a growing number of attacks in 2022, an 86% increase year over year.
- A technology strategy framework is essential for businesses to effectively leverage technology to enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and foster innovation while managing risks.
- While black traffic schemes have remained popular, the prediction regarding the evolution of Bitcoin mixers and cleaning services did not materialize, indicating a stagnation in that sector.
- The darknet markets are a hotbed for selling stolen personal information.
- In 2024, AI-driven scams resulted in over $1 billion in damages globally.
- However, the dark web is so complex and vast that if law enforcement takes down one market, it pops up elsewhere.
When your data is found on the dark web, it means that you’ve been compromised. Therefore, you need to start by changing your passwords, and you need to notify your credit card or bank provider. The most important thing is to ensure that you never click on links that you’re not sure of their source. Also, it should be common knowledge not to share personal information online. Also, set up two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of protection in case someone manages to figure out your password. Moreover, if you must use public Wi-Fi, ensure that you use a VPN to mask your browsing activity and keep yourself secure.
What Are Initial Access Brokers (IABs)?
Despite efforts from law enforcement agencies to shut down these illegal marketplaces, new ones continuously pop up on the dark web. As of early 2024, popular dark web marketplaces include InTheBox, Genesis Market, and 2Easy. The anonymity of the dark web makes it difficult for authorities to track down the owners and operators of these sites.
