Ignoring dark web activity leaves organizations blind to critical signals that often precede full-scale attacks. ⚠️ Companies must balance security needs with user rights and privacy mandates, especially when dealing with PII on hidden networks. Despite being tucked in the bottom corner of the world map, Australia is high up on the threat map for cybercriminals. The Australian dark web game has evolved over the years, and now it is a thriving economy for hackers, criminals, and hacktivist groups.
Statistics By Types Of Content Sold On The Dark Web
Data breaches often lead to sensitive corporate information appearing on the dark web, which can fuel further attacks. A security gap analysis can help businesses identify vulnerabilities that hackers exploit to compromise their data. Additionally, investing in cybersecurity services for small businesses ensures stronger defenses against threats originating from these illicit platforms.
For instance, in February 2023, according to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, an Australia-based cyber security agency, the cybercrime reports received in 2022 were 76,000, up from 13% from the previous year. Therefore, the growing need for cybersecurity is driving the growth of the dark web intelligence industry. Major companies operating in the dark web intelligence market are focusing their efforts on introducing intelligent and advanced solutions, such as virtual machines, to gain a competitive edge in the market. A virtual machine is a software-based copy of a physical computer that allows investigators and cybersecurity professionals to access the dark web in a secure and isolated environment.
Strategies To Combat The Growing Threat Of Ransomware In 2025:
The dark web, an enigmatic subset of the internet, operates as an encrypted and anonymous network inaccessible through standard web browsers. Unlike the surface web, which is indexed and easily searchable, or the deep web, which houses private databases and unindexed content, the dark web is a haven for covert activities. It facilitates a range of illicit trades, including the sale of stolen data, hacking tools, counterfeit documents, illegal drugs, and firearms. Launched in 2022, BidenCash gained notoriety through aggressive marketing campaigns that often featured free data dumps to attract new users. Specializing in stolen credit cards and PII (Personal Identifying Information), it quickly gained a sizable membership base. Strict user verification processes aim to filter out potential scammers and law enforcement infiltrators.
- Drugs lead the pack—weed, pills, some synthetics—but digital goods like hacked logins are gaining, tying into Telegram’s side gig boom.
- French, Dutch, and select EU passports all cost $3,000 apiece, Polish passports went for $2,500 each, US passports sold for $2,000, while Lithuanian passports cost $1,800 each.
- NDARC research from last year found that only 7 per cent of existing ecstasy users had used the internet for their most recent purchase, preferring instead to buy from friends and dealers.
- Experts estimate that the Dark Web accounts for no more than 5% of the entire internet.
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Most ransomware groups use the dark web for initial access listings, malware purchases, and ransom negotiations, often via Tor-based portals. 🧩 These statistics reveal the scale, anonymity, and sophistication of dark web operations—and why proactive dark web monitoring is no longer optional. Whether you’re defending an enterprise environment or conducting digital forensics, data from the dark web is often the first sign of an incoming breach. According to the Cyble Global Threat Landscape Report (H1 2025), ransomware attacks in Australia and New Zealand doubled year-over-year. Healthcare, professional services, and SMEs were among the hardest hit, with ransom demands averaging USD $750,000.
In April 2023, ZeroFox, a US-based cybersecurity company, acquired LookingGlass for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, ZeroFox aims to enhance its presence in the cybersecurity market and offer a strong end-to-end external cybersecurity platform. LookingGlass Cyber Solutions, Inc. is a US-based cybersecurity company that delivers comprehensive threat intelligence services, including dark web intelligence, to help organizations mitigate risks. Beginning in September 2021, Abacus Market has established itself as one of the leading dark web marketplaces. After AlphaBay closed, Abacus Market took its place as the world’s largest underground darknet marketplaces.
Looking at the Dark Web numbers provided by Tor, the anonymous browser had approximately 2.34 million daily users during this period connecting from German IP addresses. Americans ranked second, accounting for 593,761 (13.33%) of Tor’s direct daily users. The top 10 for this period also includes users from India (2.19%), Finland (2.16%), Russia (1.82%), Indonesia (1.63%), Netherlands (1.46%), United Kingdom (1.45%), France (1.42%), and Iran (1.08%). A quick guide for developers to automate mergers and acquisitions reports with Python and AI. If so, this guide will help you automate supply chain risk reports using AI Chat GPT and our News API.
In Q1 Of 2023, Prices Of DDoS Attacks On The Dark Web Ranged From $10 To $750
Think of the Dark Web as what you find while driving on the darknet highway—the actual sites and services. Ransomware groups are anticipated to split into smaller, independent units, making them harder to track. Such decentralization, along with the reuse of leaked malware source codes, will allow new, low-skilled actors to enter the ransomware ecosystem. In 2025, this trend is expected to continue, pushing cybercriminals to adopt more sophisticated and anonymous operating models, such as closed, invitation-only forums.
How Many Active Darknet Marketplaces Are There In 2025?
Visiting the Dark Web isn’t illegal in itself, but it is illegal to engage in illicit activity while using it. As for Tor and other anonymous browsers that allow access to the Deep Web and the Dark Web, using them isn’t illegal in most countries. However, anonymous browsers are banned in China, while Russia and some other countries actively block their citizens from using them. According to the most recent survey on the use of technologies that enable access to the Dark and Deep Web, India had the highest percentage of users at 26%. Russia was second, with 22% of local netizens saying they have used tools like Tor to access the Deep Web. Brazil (21%), Indonesia (20%), Turkey (16%), South Africa (16%), and Sweden (16%) all made the top five.
How To Avoid Phishing Scams And Malware Threats
Crypto-laundering threat actors specialize in stealing and hiding the origins of their cryptocurrency. Cryptojacking involves secretly mining for cryptocurrency via the victim’s device. While not always mandatory, many regulations (e.g., GDPR, CPRA, HIPAA) encourage or require proactive breach detection, which includes dark web monitoring for exposed credentials or PII.
A major survey on Aussies’ ethical concerns has revealed Gen Z’s shift away from artificial intelligence, as social media platforms hit record-low trust levels. “The NSW Police Force is aware of this website and others to facilitate illegal activity, including the supply of illicit drugs, and has a number of strategies in place,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said. One of the most notorious Dark Web incidents occurred in October 2013, when the FBI shut down Silk Road, the then-largest Dark Web marketplace. Founded by Ross William Ulbricht in 2011, Silk Road quickly established itself as the go-to destination for illegal items, particularly illegal drugs.
It will experience significant growth over the next seven years, reaching $2,921.8 million by 2032. Security researcher and threat analyst with expertise in malware analysis and incident response. Infostealers and drainers will likely be increasingly promoted as subscription-based services, with traffers aiding in their distribution via scam pages and phishing schemes. The Malware-as-a-Service model is expected to expand as it lowers the barrier for entry into cybercrime.
- They can quickly pivot from one network to another in response to marketplace shutdowns or law enforcement scrutiny, making it increasingly difficult for investigators to pinpoint and dismantle criminal enterprises.
- The top 10 for this period also includes users from India (2.19%), Finland (2.16%), Russia (1.82%), Indonesia (1.63%), Netherlands (1.46%), United Kingdom (1.45%), France (1.42%), and Iran (1.08%).
- The dark web poses a significant business risk, not just to multinational corporations but also to SMBs and government entities.
- Alphabay reigns supreme with 60,000+ listings and $20M monthly trades, dominating 20% of darknet commerce via BTC and XMR.
- Russian Market’s user-friendly structure and focus on data-driven trades have made it a prominent destination for mid-tier cybercriminals.
This includes everything from academic papers and government documents to private, password-protected data like online banking, medical records, and email accounts. Others are looking for stolen data, hacking services, or even banned books and political content. It was the first big site where people could anonymously buy drugs using Bitcoin, and it gained a lot of attention, until it was shut down by the FBI in 2013. These sites cater to cybercriminals seeking valuable data, such as credit card numbers, login credentials, and personal information. Freshtools is a unique marketplace in that it does not only provide the stolen data, but it allows criminals to purchase MaaS which can cause further damage to the victims.
This trend could lead to more frequent and severe ransomware attacks, impacting businesses, governments, and individuals alike. When it comes to credit cards, if you live outside the US, you should be reassured that 3 million compromised cards were listed for sale on underground markets, which is 1.6 million less than in 2023. However, US cardholders are out of luck; 12.7 million US cards were listed, marking an over 50% rise from 2023.
At Cybernod, we specialize in providing cybersecurity services for businesses, designed to protect SMEs from the ever-evolving cyber landscape. Whether you need assistance with dark web monitoring, compliance with data protection regulations, or advice on selecting the best cybersecurity solution for small businesses, our team is here to help. Providing regular training on phishing prevention and cybersecurity best practices empowers employees to recognize and avoid potential threats. SMEs often struggle with limited budgets for cybersecurity, leaving critical vulnerabilities unaddressed.
When you access a website on the clearnet, your information travels directly from your computer to the website’s server. On the dark web, Tor encrypts your data and bounces it through multiple servers around the world before reaching the destination website. This makes it extremely difficult to track your activity or identify your location. It consists of websites specifically designed to be anonymous and only accessible through special software like Tor.
