Top 10 Dark Web Forums Dominating Cybercrime

The dark web hides countless forums, unseen by conventional internet users.

These forums serve as hotspots for cybercriminals, dealing in stolen data, hacking tools, and illicit services. Let’s explore these digital underworlds, each one playing a crucial role in the cybercrime ecosystem.

An Overview of Cybercrime Forums

1. BreachForums

BreachForums gained prominence after RaidForums shut down. Pompompurin launched Breached, which quickly became a hub for cybercriminals. However, Pompompurin was arrested on March 15, 2023, leading to BreachForums’ temporary closure. It re-emerged on June 12, 2023, under ShinyHunters, a notorious threat group.

BreachForums is notable for its vast database, with over 15 billion records from 936 datasets. It features sections like Leaks and Stealer Logs and has a unique ranking system. The escrow system secures transactions, attracting high-profile threat actors.

2. XSS

XSS, established in 2013 and rebranded in 2018, is a key forum in the Russian-speaking cyber landscape. Accessible via both TOR and the surface web, it deals with unauthorized access sales, malware exchanges, and database trading.

XSS hosts prominent Russian threat actors like LockBit and REvil. It serves as a recruitment and promotion hub for Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) groups. Its longevity and operational security practices contribute to its popularity and secrecy.

3. LeakBase

LeakBase, launched in January 2023, quickly filled the void left by BreachForums. This English-speaking forum, accessible on the surface web, gained nearly 50,000 members swiftly. It discusses data leaks, vulnerabilities, malware, and legal tools, attracting prominent threat actors.

Its stance against sharing data about Russia indicates a nuanced approach to geopolitical sensitivities. LeakBase’s vibrant community and administrative team fuel its prominence in the cybercrime landscape.

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4. Exploit.in

Founded in 2005, Exploit is a leading Russian hacker forum operating on both TOR and the surface web. It connects cybercriminals with collaborators for hacking, fraud, and RaaS activities. Its structured organization and membership policies project professionalism, attracting genuine content and marginalizing non-Russian speakers.

5. Altenen

Altenen, an English-speaking forum focused on credit card fraud, has been active since 2008. Despite its founder’s arrest in 2018, it continues to thrive. Altenen requires new members to share its domains on social media platforms, ensuring ongoing activity.

6. Nulled

Established in 2015, Nulled is a notorious English-language cybercriminal forum on the dark web. It hosts leaked data, compromised identities, and illegal tools. Despite a major data breach in 2016, it remains relevant due to its broad focus on illicit content.

7. RAMP

Launched in July 2021, RAMP (Russian Anonymous Market Place) stands out for its multilingual user base and stringent membership policies. It capitalized on the Colonial Pipeline attack aftermath, serving RaaS groups and distinguishing itself with a partners program for recruiting hackers and selling initial access.

8. Cracked

Cracked operates on the surface web, discussing combo lists, vulnerabilities, and hacking tools. It features 12 subforums for different languages, with the French subforum being the most active.

9. CraxPro

Established in 2020, CraxPro discusses passport/ID sales, credentials, proxies, and credit card fraud. Despite inaccuracies in credit card information, it remains active due to its comprehensive discussions on various illicit activities.

10. Dread

Founded in 2018 by HugBunter, Dread is likened to the “Reddit of the dark web” due to its interface. While it mainly focuses on drug sales, hacking-related topics are increasing, making it a significant forum despite its lower ranking.

Why Cybercriminals Use Dark Web Forums

Cybercriminals use dark web forums for several reasons. These hidden platforms provide the ideal environment for illegal activities, ensuring anonymity, security, and access to a global network of like-minded individuals. Let’s explore the key reasons why cybercriminals flock to these forums.

Anonymity

Anonymity is the primary attraction of dark web forums. Cybercriminals can hide their identities and activities from law enforcement and other entities. Tools like Tor and I2P provide secure, encrypted access to these forums, masking users’ IP addresses and making it difficult to trace their activities.

Pseudonymous Identities

Most forum users operate under pseudonyms, further protecting their real identities. This anonymity encourages open communication and the sharing of sensitive information without fear of exposure.

Encrypted Communication

Dark web forums use advanced encryption techniques to secure communications between users. This ensures that messages, transactions, and data exchanges remain confidential and protected from interception.

Escrow Services

Many forums offer escrow services to facilitate safe transactions. These services act as intermediaries, holding funds until both parties fulfill their obligations. This reduces the risk of scams and builds trust among users.

Stolen Data

Forums provide a marketplace for buying and selling stolen data, including credit card information, personal identities, and login credentials. This data fuels various cybercriminal activities like identity theft and fraud.

Hacking Tools

Cybercriminals can purchase or exchange hacking tools, malware, and exploits. These tools enable them to conduct attacks on individuals, businesses, and institutions.

Learn about the Cyber Attack Cycle

• Cyber Attack Cycle: Actions Phase
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• Cyber Attack Cycle: Installation Phase
• Cyber Attack Cycle: Exploitation Phase
• Cyber Attack Cycle: Weaponization and Delivery
• Cyber Attack Cycle: Reconnaissance Attacks

Illicit Services

Dark web forums offer a range of illicit services, from hacking and DDoS attacks to money laundering and counterfeit document creation. These services help criminals execute complex schemes and evade detection.

Community Support

Forums create a sense of community among cybercriminals. Users can share knowledge, seek advice, and collaborate on projects. This communal support fosters the development of new skills and techniques.

Recruitment

Many forums serve as recruitment grounds for cybercriminal groups. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) groups, for instance, use these platforms to find affiliates and partners. This collaboration expands the reach and impact of their operations.

Cryptocurrency Use

Transactions on dark web forums typically use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero. These digital currencies offer anonymity and are difficult to trace, making them ideal for illegal transactions.

Escrow and Feedback Systems

To enhance trust, many forums implement escrow services and feedback systems. Escrow services ensure secure transactions, while feedback systems allow users to rate and review sellers, promoting reliability.

Constant Adaptation

Dark web forums are constantly evolving to evade law enforcement. When one forum is shut down, others quickly rise to take its place. This adaptability makes it challenging for authorities to dismantle these networks completely.

Jurisdictional Challenges

The global nature of the dark web complicates law enforcement efforts. Cybercriminals operate across borders, exploiting differences in legal jurisdictions to avoid prosecution.

Safe Havens

Certain regions and countries offer more lenient regulations or limited law enforcement capabilities, providing safe havens for cybercriminals. Forums often have policies that reflect these geopolitical realities, such as not sharing data about certain nations.

Political Motives

Some cybercriminals are motivated by political agendas. Forums can serve as platforms for these individuals to coordinate activities, share information, and launch politically motivated attacks.

Tutorials and Guides

Forums often feature tutorials, guides, and resources for learning new hacking techniques and improving existing skills. This educational aspect attracts aspiring cybercriminals looking to hone their craft.

Sharing of Vulnerabilities

Users share information about vulnerabilities and exploits, enabling others to capitalize on these weaknesses before they are patched. This continuous exchange of information drives the rapid evolution of cyber threats.

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Conclusion

Dark web forums provide a conducive environment for cybercriminals, offering anonymity, security, and access to a global network. These platforms facilitate the exchange of illicit goods and services, foster collaboration, and help criminals evade law enforcement.

Understanding the reasons behind their popularity can help cybersecurity engineers to develop more effective strategies to combat these digital threats.