The dark web is a part of the Internet you may not know about. After all, 8% of U.S. adults have never even heard of the dark web, and 23% have heard of it but don't know what it is, according to a Statista survey. The dark web allows you to view content that search engines haven't indexed, and it can't be reached on traditional web browsers -- you can only access it through a Tor browser.
So...who uses it?
The dark web is used by the media, the intelligence community, whistleblowers, and citizens seeking assurance that their Internet use won't be restricted or monitored. However, as the name implies, this more secretive part of the web has a darker side, filled with threats and illegal activity.
In this post, we'll examine the latest dark web statistics and trends for 2025 that shed light on what really happens there. We'll also explore the types of criminal activity it attracts and explain how to protect yourself and your data from breaches and other dark web attacks.
Let's look at some of the key stats and trends that illustrate the state of the dark web today.
- The deep web and dark web comprise 96% of the Internet, although the dark web is believed to be a far smaller share than the deep web.
- The Tor Project recorded approximately 2.5 million average daily users in 2024 -- a figure that has held steady since 2023 as enforcement actions push users to alternative anonymity networks.
- Germany maintained the highest daily Tor user count in 2024, followed by the United States and France.
- Nearly 57% of the dark web is illegal, with content related to violence, extremist platforms, illegal marketplaces, drugs, and cybercrime forums.
- Global cybercrime costs are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually in 2025 -- up from $3 trillion in 2015 -- according to Cybersecurity Ventures.
- The U.S. ranks first for data breach costs, with an average of $9.36 million per breach, according to IBM's 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report.
- The RockYou2024 leak in July 2024 exposed approximately 10 billion unique plaintext passwords -- the largest credential dump in recorded history.
- Ransomware payments hit a record $1.1 billion in 2023, according to Chainalysis, as criminal groups scaled operations before facing major law enforcement disruptions in 2024.
- Global cyberattacks increased approximately 28% in 2023 compared to 2022, with education, government, and healthcare remaining the top targeted sectors.
What is the Dark Web?
The Dark Web is a part of the internet that remains hidden from traditional search engines like Google or Bing. Unlike the surface web, which is easily accessible through standard web browsers, the dark web requires specialized software -- such as the Tor browser -- to access. Originally developed by the U.S. Department of Defense for secure and anonymous communication, the dark web has since evolved into a complex network of websites and online communities that prioritize privacy and anonymity.
While the dark web can be a haven for individuals seeking to protect their privacy and evade censorship, it also harbors a darker side. Cybercriminals exploit its anonymity to buy and sell illegal goods and services, ranging from stolen data and hacking tools to illicit drugs and counterfeit documents. This dual nature makes the dark web a unique and often misunderstood part of the internet.
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Dark Web user demographics
By the very nature of the dark net, getting data on its users can be difficult. However, a 2019 survey from Cornell University -- the most comprehensive publicly available research on the subject -- revealed some interesting findings:
- 84.7% of dark web users identify as male, while only 9.4% identify as female.
- The majority (23.5%) of users were between 36 and 45 years old, 11.8% were between 18 and 25, and 5.9% were between 46 and 55.
The dark web is always evolving, and that goes for the types of users it attracts. Below are some of the nefarious actors found on the dark web today, according to ID Agent.
- Malicious insiders dealing in sensitive information such as passwords and proprietary data.
- Cybercrime gangs, such as ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) groups, that recruit affiliates to expand their operations.
- Hacktivists releasing data from governments or organizations they morally or politically oppose.
- Initial access brokers selling compromised network access to other threat actors.
- Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups and nation-state actors performing operations that harm other countries or finance their activities.
Dark web marketplaces
Dark web markets facilitate the trade of thousands of products and services every day. Some of the most commonly traded goods include:
- Cryptocurrency accounts. Bitcoin and other crypto accounts are often used for money laundering and illicit activities.
- Credit card numbers. These are sold in bulk at discounted rates. A credit card with a $5,000 balance has been listed for as little as $110 on dark web markets.
- Employee login credentials: These stolen credentials include company names, employee numbers, email addresses, compromised passwords, and phone numbers.
- Zoom account and meeting details. Available at auction, including meeting IDs, email addresses, passwords, names, and host keys.
- Fake identities and passports. Used for identity theft and fraud.
- Illegal drugs. The dark web remains home to a thriving drug trade, with active markets serving buyers worldwide.
Law enforcement has scored significant wins against dark web markets in recent years, but new ones continually emerge to replace them. Among the most notable takedowns: Silk Road (2013), AlphaBay (2017), Hydra Market (2022), Genesis Market -- dismantled in April 2023 during Operation Cookie Monster -- and ALPHV/BlackCat, which was targeted by the FBI in December 2023 before conducting an exit scam on its affiliates in early 2024. In February 2024, Operation Cronos disrupted LockBit, then the world's most prolific ransomware group.
Despite these enforcement wins, the ecosystem adapts quickly. New ransomware-as-a-service operators like RansomHub and Akira emerged to fill the void left by LockBit and BlackCat, and dark web drug markets like Archetyp and Abacus remain active as of 2025. The anonymity of the dark web continues to make it extremely difficult for authorities to permanently shut down these networks.
Dark web threats and attacks
The dark web is a hotbed for various cyber threats and attacks, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity experts. Some of the most prevalent threats include:
- Ransomware Attacks: Cybercriminals use the dark web to distribute ransomware, malicious software that encrypts a victim's files and demands payment for the decryption key. These attacks can cripple businesses and individuals alike, leading to significant financial losses.
- Phishing Attacks: The dark web is a launchpad for phishing schemes, where attackers trick victims into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials or financial details. AI-generated phishing lures have made these attacks harder than ever to detect.
- Data Breaches: Stolen data is a valuable commodity on the dark web. Cybercriminals buy and sell personal information, credit card numbers, and login credentials, often obtained through data breaches. The RockYou2024 dump -- nearly 10 billion passwords -- underscores just how much credential data circulates in these forums.
- Malware Attacks: The dark web is a marketplace for various types of malware, including keyloggers, trojans, and spyware. These malicious programs can infect a victim's device, steal sensitive information, and cause extensive damage.
Deep-dive on dark web attacks
Malicious hackers on the dark web use various advanced techniques to perform cyber attacks, security breaches, and compromise data.
Malware attacks
Malware is any software designed to harm or exploit a computer system. Dark web hackers often use malware such as keyloggers, ransomware, and trojan horses to access sensitive information and cause damage.
DDoS attacks
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks overwhelm a target's network or system with vast amounts of traffic, making them inaccessible to users. Dark web hackers often use botnets to carry out DDoS attacks, causing disruption and financial loss for their targets.
Social engineering
Hackers take advantage of human vulnerabilities to trick people into handing over their personal data or granting unauthorized access. Social engineering tactics include:
- Phishing emails
- Vishing (phone calls)
- Pretexting
- Baiting
- Social media messages
Credential-Based Attacks
Credential-based attacks are a form of cyber threat where attackers use stolen or forged credentials to gain unauthorized access to systems and data. These attacks are particularly dangerous as they can bypass many traditional security measures, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and exploit internal systems. The sheer volume of credentials circulating on dark web markets -- amplified by mega-dumps like RockYou2024 -- makes credential-based attacks one of the fastest-growing threat vectors in 2025.
Industries most vulnerable to dark web attacks
While all businesses and individuals can fall victim to a dark web attack, certain industries find themselves more exposed. According to a Cybersecurity Insiders report, the five industries most targeted by hackers are:
- Education and research
- Finance and insurance
- Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
- Public administration
- Retail
Schools and other educational institutions were the top targeted sector in 2022 according to Check Point Research, seeing a 43% increase compared to 2021. The healthcare industry saw an 86% year-over-year surge in attacks the same year. These sectors remain prime targets in 2025 because they hold valuable personal data -- student records, patient files, financial information -- and often operate with limited cybersecurity resources.
Dark web trend outlook for 2025
The dark web isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and in order to protect yourself online, it's important to stay aware of what to expect. Today's biggest cyber threats aren't exactly the same as they were yesterday, and they'll continue to evolve tomorrow.
Let's explore how cybercrime has evolved -- and where it's headed next.
Evolution of cybercrime
Another evolution in cybercrime is the motivation of the cybercriminal. While a threat actor doesn't generally care about the type or size of the organization they target, their motivation generally points to the victim. Understanding these motivations helps plan effective cybersecurity strategies.
Hackers have evolved significantly over time, which has made defending against cybercrime a challenging task. Here's a brief history of that evolution:
- In the 1980s, people started to buy personal computers that connected through phone networks. Hackers broke into networks and computers and quickly realized they could monetize their skills.
- In the 2000s, Microsoft started paying hackers to find vulnerabilities in Windows through ethical hacking programs -- the foundation of modern bug bounty culture.
- In the 2010s, hacking became even more lucrative with the rise of ransomware. "Big game hunting" -- targeting large enterprises rather than individuals -- became the dominant ransomware strategy by the late 2010s.
- Today, hackers use AI and machine learning to expedite and scale their cyberattacks. AI-generated phishing emails, automated vulnerability scanning, and AI-assisted malware creation have lowered the barrier to entry for would-be criminals while making attacks harder to detect.
As technology advances, so do the methods used by hackers to breach networks and steal sensitive information.
The future of cybersecurity on the Dark Web
As the dark web continues to evolve, so too do the tactics of cybercriminals and the strategies of cybersecurity experts. Several trends are shaping the future of cybersecurity on the dark web in 2025 and beyond:
- AI-Powered Attacks: Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging AI and machine learning to launch more sophisticated attacks. AI-generated phishing lures, deepfake-assisted social engineering, and automated exploit tools are making attacks faster, cheaper, and harder to detect. In response, cybersecurity experts must harness the same technologies to develop advanced detection and prevention mechanisms.
- Greater Use of Social Engineering: Social engineering is expected to become even more prevalent -- and more convincing. AI-generated voice calls and emails now make it nearly impossible to distinguish legitimate communications from fakes without proper verification protocols.
- Decentralized Dark Web Infrastructure: As law enforcement disrupts Tor-hosted markets, criminal networks are increasingly migrating to I2P (Invisible Internet Project) and other decentralized protocols that are harder to monitor and take down.
Dark web trend impact on businesses and individuals
With the increasing reliance on digital platforms for business operations, cybersecurity has become an integral part of any organization's strategy. The threat landscape is constantly evolving, making it essential for individuals and businesses to invest in proactive cybersecurity practices to detect data breaches and vulnerabilities before malicious actors exploit them.
Business risks and vulnerabilities
While the dark web doesn't directly affect the daily activities of most SMBs, the effects shouldn't be ignored. Here are some of the biggest impacts that the dark web can have on businesses.
- Financial loss and data breaches. When sensitive information makes its way onto the dark web, it can result in substantial financial losses. Criminals can use this data to extort businesses, drain accounts, or commit fraud.
- Reputational damage. A company's data appearing on the dark web can harm that company's reputation, eroding customer trust and leading to lost business.
- Operational disruption. A cyberattack that results in a data leak can disrupt business operations, affecting services and internal processes.
- Legal and compliance issues. Businesses in regulated industries could face compliance violations and legal fines if their customer data has been compromised.
Strategies for businesses to mitigate dark web attack risks through dark web monitoring
There are steps that businesses can take to fight back and protect their data from cyber threats. When it comes to monitoring the dark web, traditional methods can be inefficient and time-consuming. Fortunately, modern tools can automate the heavy lifting. Here are some key practices:
- Dark Web Surveillance: A dark web monitoring tool continuously scans for leaked or stolen credentials, allowing organizations to identify breaches early and prompt users to create new, secure passwords before attackers can exploit the window of opportunity.
- Employee awareness and training. Having an informed staff is crucial to the defense against cybercrime. Training employees on safe cyber practices, password hygiene, and phishing recognition is essential.
- Strong infrastructure. Businesses need to invest in secure VPNs, antivirus software, and firewalls to defend themselves against cyber threats.
- Incident response planning. A plan for how to respond to a data breach can greatly reduce its impact.
Individual security protection
Whether you're a business owner or not, you should take steps to protect yourself from cybercrime on the dark web. Here's what you can do today:
- Create strong, unique passwords for each online account. If a cybercriminal steals one password, they won't be able to access your other accounts. If you receive a notification that your data has been leaked, change your login details immediately.
- Use password managers on your mobile devices and computers. A password manager makes it easier to track all of your passwords while making it significantly harder for hackers to access your data.
- Consider a dark web monitoring service. This can scan the dark web to locate your personal data and alert you if any has been found.
Protecting your business against dark web threats
Safeguarding against the myriad threats posed by the dark web requires a comprehensive and proactive approach. Here are some key strategies:
- Dark Web Monitoring: Regularly monitoring the dark web for signs of cyber threats -- such as data breaches and malware attacks -- is crucial. This involves scanning dark web forums and marketplaces for stolen data and other indicators of compromise.
- Dark Web Monitoring Service: A dedicated dark web monitoring service continuously scans for leaked or stolen credentials and other cyber threats, providing early warnings that allow for prompt action before attackers can exploit the data.
- Law Enforcement Collaboration: Reporting and investigating cybercrime with law enforcement agencies ensures that the right resources are engaged when attacks occur.
- Cybersecurity Best Practices: Use strong, unique passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and regularly update software to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Education and Awareness: Educating users about the risks associated with the dark web and how to protect themselves is vital. Awareness programs should cover safe online practices, recognizing phishing attempts, and maintaining good cyber hygiene.
By adopting these strategies, businesses and individuals can better protect themselves against the ever-evolving threats of the dark web.
Frequently asked questions about the dark web
What percentage of the internet is the dark web?
The dark web is estimated to represent less than 1% of total internet content. The surface web -- what you access through Google -- accounts for roughly 4% of the internet. The remaining 96% is the "deep web," which includes private databases, email servers, and other content not indexed by search engines. The dark web is a small but especially dangerous subset of that deep web.
How many people use the dark web daily in 2025?
According to Tor Project metrics, the dark web averages approximately 2.5 million daily users. This number fluctuates based on global events, law enforcement actions, and the availability of alternative anonymity networks. Germany, the United States, and France consistently rank among the top countries for daily Tor usage.
What is sold on the dark web in 2025?
Dark web marketplaces in 2025 trade in stolen credentials, credit card data, counterfeit documents, illegal drugs, malware, ransomware-as-a-service kits, and access to compromised corporate networks. Initial access brokers -- criminals who sell entry points into corporate systems -- have become one of the most active and lucrative categories on dark web forums in recent years.
How much does stolen data cost on the dark web?
Prices vary by data type and quality. A credit card with a $5,000 balance has been listed for as little as $110. Full identity packages (known as "fullz" -- including name, SSN, date of birth, and financial details) can sell for $20 to $200 depending on credit score and country of origin. Corporate VPN credentials for large enterprises can command thousands of dollars on dark web auction forums.
How can I tell if my company's data is on the dark web?
The most reliable way is to use a dedicated dark web monitoring service that continuously scans forums and marketplaces for your organization's email domains, credentials, and sensitive data. Prey's Breach Monitoring tool does exactly this, providing weekly updated reports on your organization's data health and alerting you when compromised credentials are detected before attackers can use them.
What were the biggest dark web law enforcement actions in 2024?
The two most significant dark web law enforcement actions in 2024 were Operation Cronos in February, which dismantled the LockBit ransomware infrastructure and led to arrests across multiple countries, and the continued fallout from the December 2023 FBI seizure of ALPHV/BlackCat, which ultimately exit-scammed its own affiliates in March 2024. These takedowns temporarily disrupted the ransomware ecosystem but also accelerated the rise of successor groups like RansomHub and Akira.
Don't be the next dark web statistic: protect yourself against cybercrime and stolen data
If the above dark web statistics and trends have alarmed you, that's a reasonable reaction. But that doesn't mean there isn't something you can do about it. By following the tips and recommendations outlined in this post, you'll be in a far better position to defend yourself against cybercrime on the dark web.
Make sure to stay informed of updated recommendations as tactics evolve. That will help you remain alert to the latest techniques hackers are using at any given time.
For added security, sign up for a free 14-day trial from Prey Project. Prey will help keep your digital assets and identity safely away from the dark web. The protection applies to all your devices so you can browse and communicate without fear of your data being compromised. Take advantage of Prey's no-risk, 14-day trial and give yourself and your business the protection you deserve.
