Dark Web Statistics 2026: Is Your Data at Risk?

Introduction

The dark web, a hidden segment of the internet not indexed by search engines, has become a hub for cybercrime, digital black markets, and threat actor coordination. Businesses now routinely monitor darknet activity to identify breaches, while law enforcement globally is investing in tools to track illegal online trade. From stolen credentials to untraceable marketplaces, the dark web poses escalating risks. Below, we break down its growth, demographics, and usage to help decode its expanding influence.

Editor’s Choice

Here are seven standout statistics summarizing the state of the dark web:

• The dark web monitoring market is projected to grow to $762 million in 2025, with demand rising across finance, healthcare, and government sectors.
• Over 703 million personal data records were discovered on dark web marketplaces in 2024, a 28% increase from 2023.
• Nearly 34% of all data breach incidents in 2024 involved content eventually shared or sold on the dark web.
• Around 48% of all content on the dark web is associated with illicit activity, including data sales and financial fraud.
• There are an estimated 2.5 million daily dark web users globally, including both threat actors and privacy advocates.
• The average cost of a stolen U.S. Social Security number on dark web forums was $4.12 in Q3 2025.
• Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) offerings have grown by 63% year over year, making advanced malware accessible to novice criminals.

Recent Developments

• In 2025, dark web forums and Telegram-based markets have replaced over 30% of legacy darknet marketplaces that were shut down.
• A Europol operation in early 2025 dismantled two major ransomware syndicates, seizing over $11.5 million in crypto assets.
• AI-enhanced monitoring tools are being adopted by 74% of cybersecurity firms for real-time tracking of dark web activity.
• Tor-based forums now feature AI-generated phishing kits, lowering barriers for amateur attackers.
• Deepfake identity kits are being sold for as little as $20, making social engineering scams harder to detect.
• Reports show a rise of 40% in the availability of government employee data in dark web marketplaces between 2023 and 2024.
• Encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram, Threema, and Signal are now hubs for coordinating illegal trades, bypassing traditional .onion access.
• The average lifespan of a dark web marketplace in 2025 is just 240 days, down from 365 days in 2023.
• Dark web job boards now openly advertise roles in fraud management, money laundering, and crypto mixing services.
• More than 60% of ransomware leak sites now host their content via bulletproof hosting providers rooted in Southeast Asia.

Dark Web Overview

• The dark web comprises only about 5% of the total deep web, but it houses the majority of its illegal content.
• Access to the dark web typically occurs through the Tor network, which anonymizes users’ IP addresses.
• About 7 in 10 sites on the dark web are associated with illegal activity, from stolen data to contraband sales.
• As of 2025, there are an estimated 85,000 active .onion addresses, although many are short-lived or inactive.
• 29% of dark web users visit for political reasons, such as circumventing censorship.
• The average dark web transaction involves cryptocurrency, with Monero and Bitcoin being the most popular options.
• The dark web is increasingly fragmented, with smaller, invite-only groups replacing large, open forums.
• The global law enforcement dark web surveillance budget has increased by 25% since 2023.
• In 2025, dark web forums saw an uptick in phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) tools, now offered for less than $50/month.

Dark Web Size and Growth

• The dark web grew by 17% in active user volume from 2024 to 2025.
• Over 2.5 million users access dark web content via Tor every day.
• In 2025, Tor project metrics show 160,000+ active .onion sites, although only a fraction remain online continuously.
• New marketplaces emerge every 3 to 4 weeks, replacing takedowns or collapsed operations.
• The global dark web intelligence market is projected to reach $1.64 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 18.7%.
• Search volume for dark web monitoring services in the U.S. has increased by 31% year-over-year.
• 20+ new languages have been detected across dark web forums, signaling global expansion and localization.
• Cloud-based ransomware deployments, often discussed in dark web groups, have surged 40% in the past year.

Dark Web User Demographics

• Approximately 35% of dark web users are from North America, followed by 31% from Europe.
• About 25% of users are aged between 18 and 24, highlighting the involvement of digital-native generations.
• Male users account for about 82% of the dark web population, based on forum activity and account data.
• More than 60% of active users participate in forums at least once per week.
• A recent trend shows a rise in women-led cybercrime groups, particularly in phishing and digital fraud.
• Surveys indicate that 48% of dark web users access it using mobile devices, up from 34% in 2022.
• Around 72% of users speak English, followed by Russian (13%) and Chinese (7%).
• College students are increasingly using the dark web to access free academic resources and software cracks.
• Users from politically censored countries (e.g., Iran, Russia) comprise 19% of non-criminal traffic.

Country-wise Dark Web Usage

• The United States remains the top country for dark web traffic, contributing to 20% of global Tor entry relays.
• Russia and Germany follow, accounting for around 12% and 9%, respectively, of all dark web users.
• China saw a 40% increase in dark web usage in 2024, often routed through external VPNs.
• In India, law enforcement agencies reported a 3x rise in dark web-based criminal complaints from 2022 to 2024.
• Brazil is the leading country in South America for dark web transactions related to drug trade and payment fraud.
• The UK ranks 4th in global dark web activity, driven by fraud rings and illegal betting platforms.
• Turkey has shown a marked increase in encrypted marketplace usage due to currency instability.
• Australia reported over 800 dark web-related incidents in the first half of 2025 alone.
• The Netherlands hosts a disproportionate number of bulletproof hosting providers used by dark web operators.

Dark Web Usage Statistics

• As of early 2025, the daily user count for the Tor Browser network jumped from about 2 million to over 3 million users.
• The global underground economy tied to dark web activities is estimated at US $3.2 billion in 2025, with illicit drugs generating approximately $1.1 billion, and “cybercrime-as-a-service” about $700 million.
• Listings for compromised credentials soared, more than 15 billion leaked account credentials circulated as of 2022, and the dark web credential-trade remains a major driver.
• 60% of dark websites are dedicated to illegal activity.
• In 2024, the value of illicit drug transactions executed via dark web marketplaces exceeded US $1.7 billion, marking a year-on-year growth of over 20%.
• The proportion of data breaches posted on underground forums increased by 43% in 2024, and about 20% of those targeted U.S. organisations.
• The global dark web intelligence market is projected to grow from US $0.63 billion in 2024 to US $0.76 billion in 2025, a CAGR of about 20%.
• Approximately 65% of active cyber-criminals utilise dark web data in launching attacks.
• Around 80% of email addresses that were compromised are found or traded on the dark web.

Largest Dark Web Marketplaces

• BlackSprut Market dominates the dark web landscape, holding 28% of the total market share — making it the largest marketplace currently active.
• Mega Darknet Market follows as the second-largest platform with a significant 22% share, indicating a strong user base and trading volume.
• OMG! OMG! Market ranks third with 17%, showing continued relevance among dark web users despite increased competition.
• Solaris Market maintains a 13% share, reflecting moderate activity compared to the top three leaders.
• ASAP Market accounts for 7%, representing a smaller but still notable portion of the dark web ecosystem.
• The “Other” category collectively makes up 13%, highlighting the presence of various smaller or emerging marketplaces.
• Combined, the top three marketplaces (BlackSprut, Mega Darknet, and OMG! OMG!) control 67% of the total market — underscoring the high concentration of power within a few major players.
• The data source, Statista, illustrates ongoing shifts in dark web market dominance and fragmentation trends following past shutdowns and law enforcement crackdowns.

Most Common Illegal Activities on the Dark Web:

Drug Trade on the Dark Web

• In 2024, illicit drug sales via darknet marketplaces exceeded US $1.7 billion, with a growth of over 20%.
• Wholesaler purchases accounted for 71% to 81% of total crypto inflows in 2024.
• One market takedown in Europe revealed ~17,000 drug listings and over 600,000 users, generating approximately US $290 million in crypto revenues.
• Synthetic drugs show growing trafficking, with a 6-fold rise in seizures since 2019.
• Drug‑market vendors increasingly use cryptocurrency and encrypted shipping methods.
• Drug listings now frequently include multi‑leg logistic services and vendor ratings.
• The rise of invitation‑only marketplaces has made tracking and measuring exact volumes more difficult.
• Telegram‑based drug channels and dark‑web adjacent sales continue to grow.

Stolen Data and Credentials

• Over 15 billion user account credentials have been exposed and traded.
• At least 88% of web application attacks exploit stolen credentials.
• Leaked credentials and trade of personal data dominate dark‑web listings.
• Compromised credentials typically remain undetected for 94 days.
• The number of credentials stolen surged by approximately 160%.
• Corporate credentials keep appearing on dark‑web forums.
• Many organisations discover their data first surfaced on the dark web.
• A stolen credit card with a US$5,000 limit could be listed for $110.
• The trade in credentials fuels fraud shops and ransomware kits.

Financial Fraud and Payment Data

• Listings of compromised credit cards rose nearly 20% in 2024.
• Financial fraud‑related content constitutes about 12% of dark‑web activity.
• Cyber‑fraud services are low-cost and widely available.
• Cryptocurrency tumbling and laundering kits are frequently bundled.
• The cost to remediate a data breach averaged US $4.88 million in 2024.
• Fraud‑as‑a‑service integrates listings with botnets and mule networks.
• Listings increasingly target high-net-worth business accounts.
• Financial institutions rely on dark‑web monitoring for fraud prevention.

Weapons and Arms Trafficking

• The global illegal firearms trade on the dark web is estimated at US $80 million annually, though actual figures may be higher due to untracked peer-to-peer exchanges.
• Listings for small arms, including handguns and semi-automatic rifles, make up over 60% of dark web weapons posts.
• A study found that 70% of firearm listings on the dark web were from U.S. vendors, despite most platforms being international.
• Prices for unregistered Glock pistols range between US $250 and US $1,200, depending on model and shipping location.
• Weapon sales are often bundled with false documentation and serial number removal services, increasing buyer anonymity.
• Popular accessories sold include silencers, extended magazines, and tactical optics, with silencers being among the top three trafficked items.
• A 2024 analysis revealed that Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. were the most active origin points for dark web arms transactions.
• Several darknet markets now require encrypted negotiation for firearms, moving away from open listings to “trust-based” direct communications.
• Ammunition listings, once rare, are increasingly found, especially for 9mm and 5.56mm calibers, often sold in bulk quantities.
• Authorities have reported that illegal arms purchased via the dark web were traced to incidents in at least 14 U.S. states between 2021 and 2024.

Human Trafficking on the Dark Web

• Globally, an estimated 27.6 million people were victims of human trafficking in 2021, representing about 3.5 out of every 1,000 persons.
• The illicit profits from human trafficking are estimated at around US $172.6 billion annually.
• On the hidden web and dark web space, trafficking in persons, arms, and drugs has grown sharply.
• About 79% of human-trafficking cases involve sexual exploitation, and about 18% involve forced labor.
• Traffickers increasingly use anonymized platforms, cryptocurrencies, and dark web forums to advertise services, recruit victims, and launder funds.
• Individuals trafficked for forced online scams or “cyber slavery” operate via dark web–facilitated infrastructure.
• The rise of encrypted messaging apps and dark web marketplaces has lowered barriers for traffickers to coordinate cross-border exploitation with minimal detection.
• Digital payment systems and cryptocurrency flows tied to dark web listings act as key enablers for trafficking networks.

Dark Web Activity by Category

• Illegal file sharing is the most common activity on the dark web, making up 29% of total content, highlighting the vast exchange of pirated digital material.
• Financial fraud follows closely at 28%, showing that nearly one-third of dark web operations revolve around scams, stolen financial data, and fraudulent transactions.
• Hacked accounts represent 12%, emphasizing the ongoing trade in compromised credentials for social media, banking, and online services.
• Drugs account for 9%, showing a continued presence of illicit marketplaces despite global crackdowns.
• Discussion forums make up 6%, serving as communication hubs for users exchanging illegal knowledge or techniques.
• Leaked data comprises 5%, pointing to the steady circulation of stolen corporate or personal information.
• Weapons sales occupy 4%, indicating a relatively smaller but persistent share of arms trade online.
• Pornographic content forms 3%, including restricted or illegal material.
• Hitmen services (at 1%) and pharmaceuticals (at 0.3%) make up the smallest categories, though their presence reflects the dark web’s high-risk environment.

Cybercrime Tools and Services

• The dark web hosts marketplaces for infrastructure and services such as phishing kits, malware-as-a-service (MaaS), and account-takeover tools.
• In 2025, markets for cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS) are estimated to generate around US $700 million annually.
• Around 90% of cyberattacks now involve credential theft or abuse of stolen credentials.
• Thousands of dark web listings offer remote access to compromised networks, providing entry points for further attacks.
• Smaller threat actors now access advanced tools via dark web subscriptions, lowering the sophistication threshold for entry.
• Tools for laundering cryptocurrencies, mixing services, and anonymous infrastructure are readily available on dark web spaces.
• Dark web service providers increasingly offer “turn-key” packages including stolen data, malware, and access credentials.
• AI-based tools for automatic phishing-kit generation have begun to appear in dark web ads, enhancing threat actor capabilities.

Ransomware and Malware Attacks

• In 2025, 41% of ransomware victims chose to pay the ransom, while 59% refused.
• Among those who paid in 2025, only 67% regained full access to their data.
• Additionally, 21% of organizations that paid were extorted a second time within 45 days, often by a separate group.
• 92 disclosed ransomware attacks in January 2025 represented a 21% increase over the same month last year.
• The average cost of a data breach globally reached about US $4.88 million in 2024.
• Malware families and leak sites tied to dark web forums have grown rapidly, with 55.5% more ransomware attacks reported in one recent year.
• Many ransomware actors publish victims’ data on dark web leak sites to pressure payment.
• The availability of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) offerings on dark web markets allows non-technical criminals to carry out attacks.

Dark Web Prices for Illicit Items

• Weapon trafficking and counterfeit document markets on dark web platforms were estimated at US $250 million in 2025.
• Stolen database sales via dark web brokers earned over US $430 million in 2025.
• In dark web drug market data, the average transaction value between US $100–US $499 accounted for 37.8% of listings, and wholesale purchases over US $1,000 accounted for 31.9%.
• The cost of illicit services such as credential dumps, forged documents, or malware kits often ranges from US$5 to US$500.
• Credit card data listings in earlier years were found for as little as US $17 for U.S. cards.
• Vendor earnings in dark web markets average US $12,700 per year, while top-tier operators earn over US$400,000 annually.
• Illicit weapon listings on dark web forums frequently list handguns, rifles, and accessories, though precise pricing varies widely by region.
• Larger illicit toolkits and multi-service packages are now priced at US$1,000+, reflecting the maturation of dark web marketplaces.

Law Enforcement Actions and Market Takedowns

• A major operation by Europol resulted in 270 arrests of dark web vendors and buyers in 2025.
• The average lifespan of many dark web marketplaces dropped to around 240 days, down from approximately 365 days previously.
• Law enforcement takedowns of major leak sites and dark web forums have led to observable drops in illicit listing volumes in the short term.
• Monitoring firms note 35% annual increases in content flagged for child sexual abuse, arms, ammunition, and trafficking on dark web platforms.
• Authorities increasingly focus on cryptocurrency seizures and tracing, making asset confiscation integral to dark web disruption.
• Partnerships between cybersecurity firms and law enforcement agencies have become more common, improving the pace of investigation.
• Takedowns now target vendor escrow and review systems, undermining the trust and functionality of illicit platforms.
• Despite takedowns, vendors migrate quickly to new domains or platforms, demonstrating the adaptability of dark web ecosystems.

Strategies for Dark Web Monitoring and Protection

• Organizations are investing in continuous dark web monitoring services to detect stolen credentials, leaked data, and illicit listings tied to their brand.
• Credential scanning and data breach alerts have become standard practice for enterprises given the 15 billion+ leaked credentials tracked on dark web markets.
• Adoption of multi-factor authentication (MFA), zero-trust network architectures, and least-privilege access models is rising due to dark web-driven threats.
• Cyber-intelligence firms emphasize threat actor profiling, vendor listing surveillance, and blockchain analytics to trace payments linked to dark web sales.
• Collaboration with law enforcement and information sharing through ISACs enables faster response to dark web-based threats.
• Smaller organizations are targeted more frequently, with small businesses facing 50%+ increases in dark web exposure in 2025.
• Training staff to recognize phishing, social engineering, and data exfiltration tactics derived from dark web tools helps reduce exposure.
• Regular penetration testing, dark web risk assessment, and incident response planning are key components of effective protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

The hidden nature of the dark web masks a sprawling, resilient ecosystem of illicit trade, threat actor services, and exploitation. From human trafficking and ransomware to stolen data and illegal weapons, the numbers show that criminal actors are leveraging anonymity, cryptocurrencies, and global networks to profit at scale. For U.S.-based organizations and global operations alike, the challenge is clear: monitor, detect, and respond to dark web threats proactively.