Dark Web Statistics 2024 By Security, Network, Privacy

Introduction

Dark Web Statistics: The Dark Web refers to the encrypted portion of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines.

It exists as a hidden network that can only be accessed through specific software, configurations, and authorization protocols.

The primary technology used to access the Dark Web is the Tor network, which allows users to maintain anonymity and privacy while accessing websites and services.

Editor’s Choice

• The Dark Web Intelligence Market size reached USD 520.3 Million in 2023. Looking forward, Market.us expects the market to reach USD 2,921.8 Million by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 21.8% during 2023-2032.
• The Dark Web is estimated to be about 5,000 times larger than the surface web.
• In 2022, there will be over 2.5 million daily Dark Web visitors.
• Approximately 60% of the websites on the Dark Web are involved in illegal activities.
• The total revenue generated by illegal activities on the Dark Web is estimated to be around $1.5 billion per year.
• Bitcoin is the most commonly used cryptocurrency on the Dark Web, accounting for over 98% of transactions.
• The number of active hidden services on the Dark Web is estimated to be around 30,000.
• The United States is the country with the highest number of Dark Web users, followed by Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

(Source: CSO Online, Europol, Carnegie Mellon University, Chainalysis, The Tor Project, Trend Micro)

Dark Web Statistics – Size and Growth

• As of 2022, the number of websites on the Dark Web was estimated to be around 30,000.
• The Dark Web has experienced steady growth over the years. A study conducted in 2022 found that the number of Dark Web websites had increased by 44% compared to the previous year.
• The illicit drug trade is a significant part of the Dark Web’s activities. As of 2022, approximately 1,000 drug marketplaces were operating on the Dark Web.
• The Dark Web has become a hub for stolen data and personal information. In the first half of 2022, over 15 billion stolen credentials were discovered on the Dark Web.

(Source: Trend Micro, Atlas VPN, Europol, Digital Shadows)

Dark Web General Statistics Worldwide

• Approximately 56.8% of the content found on the dark net is illegal.
• As of 2023, there are around 2.5 million daily visitors to the Dark Web.
• Reports suggest that 28% of the BRICS countries’ population is familiar with the dark net.
• On the dark web, 1000 premium quality malware attacks can be purchased for $5000.
• Stolen credit card data is available for sale on the dark web for as low as $25.
• Phishing is a popular method used on the dark web to collect financial data.
• Unfortunately, credentials from the technology industry have the highest number of exposed data on the internet.
• The United States accounts for 60% of weapon sales on the dark web, followed by Europe with 25%.
• Approximately 60 of the largest websites on the dark web have a combined size of more than 750 TB.
• 7 out of 10 requests on the dark web are related to individuals seeking contact with criminals.
• Qwerty and 123456 are among the most commonly leaked passwords found on the dark web.
• The global dark web market is expected to reach $1.3 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.3%.

More Facts

• As of 2022, Hidden Wiki was the most popular search engine on the dark net.
• Over 1.2 million payment card details were leaked to the Dark Web by 2022.
• Leading eCommerce platforms like Mercado Libre and Zalando had around 1,000 mentions on the deep web as of December 2022.
• In the United States, as of 2022, approximately 52% of companies had implemented a dark web threat intelligence policy.
• As of June 2022, e-wallets and verified cryptocurrency accounts were the most expensive illegal digital products available for sale on the dark web.
• The most challenging types of data to collect from the dark web in the United States are strategic intelligence, followed by operational and tactical intelligence.
• Dark web statistics indicate that 65% of active criminals utilize dark web data for cyber-attacks.
• Around 80% of email data has been leaked to the dark web.
• Male users outnumber female users on the dark web, according to demographic statistics.
• Globally, 78% of users rely on commercial threat intelligence feeds as their primary sources of threat intelligence.
• Approximately 4000 domains were discovered on the dark net, impersonating Amazon or Alibaba, as of 2022.

Average Number of Tor Users per Day by Country

• The United States has the highest average number of Tor users per day among the listed countries, accounting for approximately 21.43% of the total user base.
• Germany follows closely behind with an average of 12.93% of Tor users per day.
• Finland represents 5.22% of the daily Tor user base.
• India accounts for 3.97% of the total Tor users on a typical day.
• Russia makes up approximately 3.50% of the daily Tor user base.
• France represents 3.43% of the average number of Tor users per day.
• Indonesia accounts for 3.02% of the total Tor users in a typical day.
• The Netherlands represents 2.71% of the daily Tor user base.
• The United Kingdom makes up approximately 2.58% of the average number of Tor users per day.
• Iran accounts for 2.40% of the total Tor users on a typical day.

Dark Web Statistics – Illegal Activities

Drug Trade Dark Web Statistics

• Approximately 20% of global drug sales occur on darknet markets, making the Dark Web a significant platform for drug trafficking.
• In 2022, the number of drug listings on Dark Web marketplaces surpassed 44,000, indicating a substantial availability of illicit drugs for sale.

(Source: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction)

Cybercrime and Hacking Dark Web Statistics

• The availability of hacking tools and services on the Dark Web is substantial. It is estimated that around 60% of Dark Web marketplaces focus on cybercrime-related activities.
• The availability of Cybercrime-as-a-Service offerings has increased by 300% between 2016 and 2022, indicating a growing market for cybercriminal tools and services.
• As of 2021, the number of compromised credentials available on the Dark Web exceeded 15 billion, indicating the widespread impact of data breaches and the potential for identity theft.

(Source: Trend Micro, Europol, Cybersecurity Ventures)

Weapons and Arms Trafficking Dark Web Statistics

• A study conducted in 2022 found over 35,000 weapon listings across various Dark Web marketplaces. These listings included firearms, ammunition, explosives, and other types of weapons.
• The study mentioned above found that around 58% of weapon listings originated from the United States, followed by 11% from Europe and 7% from Russia.

(Source: Rand Corporation)

Human Trafficking Dark Web Statistics

• The International Labor Organization estimates that there are approximately 25 million victims of human trafficking worldwide.
• Human trafficking generates an estimated annual profit of around $150 billion for traffickers.
• Approximately 79% of human trafficking cases involve sexual exploitation, making it the most prevalent form of trafficking.
• Around 18% of human trafficking cases involve forced labor, including forced domestic work, agricultural labor, and construction work.

(Source: International Labor Organization, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

Financial Fraud Dark Web Statistics

• Financial fraud-related listings comprise a significant portion of Dark Web activities, accounting for over 34% of total listings.
• Stolen credit card information is a common offering on the Dark Web. In 2022, the number of compromised credit card details available on Dark Web marketplaces exceeded 100 million.
• Dark Web marketplaces are known to facilitate the sale of counterfeit currencies. In 2022, law enforcement agencies seized over $22 million worth of counterfeit notes linked to Dark Web activities.
• Dark Web forums and marketplaces provide tools and services for identity theft, including forged documents and stolen personal information. As of 2021, it was estimated that personal data breaches resulted in a loss of $2.7 billion globally.
• Payment card skimming devices and techniques are shared and traded on the Dark Web. In 2022, there was a 77% increase in skimming attacks worldwide.

(Source: Digital Shadows, CyberNews, Europol, Cybersecurity Ventures, Gemini Advisory)

Dark Web Statistics by Categories

• Weapons (0.3%): Approximately 0.3% of the content on the dark web is related to weapons, including firearms, ammunition, and other illicit arms trade.
• Pornography (1%): Around 1% of the dark web content involves illegal pornography, including explicit and illicit materials.
• Hacked accounts (3%): Approximately 3% of the dark web content consists of hacked accounts, compromised login credentials, and stolen personal information.
• Drugs (4%): Roughly 4% of the dark web content is associated with the sale and distribution of illegal drugs, including narcotics, prescription medications, and controlled substances.
• Discussion forums (5%): Around 5% of the dark web content comprises discussion forums, where users engage in conversations about various topics, including illegal activities, hacking techniques, and other sensitive subjects.
• Promotions (6%): Approximately 6% of the dark web content is dedicated to promotional materials and advertisements for various illicit products and services.
• News media (10%): Roughly 10% of the dark web content is related to news media, including platforms that share and discuss illicit activities, cybercrime news, and underground developments.
• Financial fraud (12%): Approximately 12% of the dark web content is associated with financial fraud, including the sale of stolen credit card information, banking details, and methods for conducting fraudulent activities.
• Leaked data (28%): Around 28% of the dark web content comprises leaked data, which includes stolen databases, personal information, and confidential records from various sources such as data breaches.
• Illegal file sharing (29%): The majority, approximately 29%, of the dark web content is dedicated to illegal file sharing, encompassing pirated software, copyrighted materials, and other digital content traded without proper authorization.

Dark Web Statistics by Country

United States

• The United States has the highest number of Dark Web users.
• As of 2022, approximately 52% of companies in the United States had implemented a dark web threat intelligence policy.
• The United States accounts for 60% of weapon sales on the Dark Web, followed by Europe with 25%.
• As of 2021, the number of compromised credentials available on the Dark Web exceeded 15 billion.
• In the first half of 2022, over 15 billion stolen credentials were discovered on the Dark Web.
• The most challenging types of data to collect from the Dark Web in the United States are strategic intelligence, followed by operational and tactical intelligence.
• Approximately 80% of email data has been leaked to the Dark Web.
• Dark Web marketplaces facilitate the sale of counterfeit currencies. In 2022, law enforcement agencies seized over $22 million worth of counterfeit notes linked to Dark Web activities.
• Dark Web forums and marketplaces provide tools and services for identity theft, including forged documents and stolen personal information. As of 2021, it was estimated that personal data breaches resulted in a loss of $2.7 billion globally.

(Source: Trend Micro, Dark Reading, Trend Micro, Cybersecurity Ventures, Digital Shadows, Homeland Security Today, Europol)

Germany

• Germany accounts for approximately 7.16% of darknet users, with an estimated 171,009 daily users.
• The servers hosting the Hydra Market forum were taken down, and German police, working with the Central Office for Combating Cybercrime (ZIT), gained control of the keys for wallets holding approximately $25 million worth of Bitcoin.
• At its peak, Hydra Market had around 17 million customer accounts and approximately 19,000 registered seller accounts.
• Police estimate that Hydra Market facilitated illicit transactions worth approximately $1.34 billion during the 2020 calendar year.

(Source: LinkedIn, TechTarget)

United Kingdom

• Approximately 5% of UK internet users have accessed the dark web at some point.
• In 2020, UK law enforcement shut down the notorious darknet market “DarkMarket,” which had over 2,400 vendors and nearly 500,000 users.
• Cybercrime costs the UK economy an estimated £27 billion per year, with the dark web playing a significant role in facilitating cybercriminal activities.
• Drugs are the most commonly traded items on the dark web in the UK. In a study, it was found that 24% of dark web listings from the UK were drug-related.

(Source: National Crime Agency, University of Manchester)

France

• The Netherlands has a significant presence on the dark web.
• Approximately 6.92% of dark web users worldwide are connected from the Netherlands.
• This percentage translates to an estimated 165,281 users per day.

(Source: LinkedIn)

Russia

• Russia-based anonymous websites make up over 36% of the DARKINT™ collected by DarkOwl.
• DarkOwl has successfully indexed over 300 million pages across anonymous and deep web networks in the Eastern Slavic language of Russian.

(Source: DarkOwl)

Netherlands

• The Netherlands is reported to have a significant number of dark web users.
• Approximately 6.92% of users on the dark web are estimated to be connected from the Netherlands.
• This percentage translates to roughly 165,281 users from the Netherlands accessing the dark web per day.
• Dark web users from the Netherlands are primarily involved in buying and selling various items, including electronics, counterfeit goods, narcotics, and firearms.

(Source: Source: LinkedIn)

Recent Developments

Law Enforcement Operations:

• Operation Disruptor: In 2020, law enforcement agencies conducted Operation Disruptor, a coordinated effort to disrupt dark web marketplaces involved in the sale of illicit goods and services.
• The operation resulted in the seizure of over $6.5 million in cash and virtual currencies, as well as the arrest of numerous individuals involved in dark web activities.

Market Consolidation:

• Evolution Marketplace Shutdown: In 2021, Evolution Marketplace, one of the largest dark web marketplaces, was shut down by law enforcement authorities.
• The closure of Evolution Marketplace disrupted the illegal trade of drugs, stolen data, and other illicit goods, leading to a significant decrease in dark web transactions.

Funding:

• Investment in Dark Web Monitoring Tools: Cybersecurity companies have received significant funding to develop and enhance dark web monitoring tools that help businesses identify and mitigate cyber threats originating from the dark web.
• For example, DarkOwl, a dark web intelligence platform, secured $10 million in funding to expand its capabilities in monitoring and analyzing dark web activity for potential security risks.

Market Size:

• Estimated Size of the Dark Web Economy: Despite law enforcement efforts to disrupt dark web activities, the dark web economy continues to thrive.
• The estimated size of the dark web economy is difficult to determine precisely due to its clandestine nature, but it is believed to generate billions of dollars in revenue annually from the sale of illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, stolen data, and other illicit activities.

Innovation in Cryptocurrency Technologies:

• Adoption of Privacy Coins: Dark web marketplaces and users are increasingly adopting privacy-focused cryptocurrencies such as Monero and Zcash to facilitate anonymous transactions and evade law enforcement detection.
• These privacy coins offer enhanced anonymity and security features compared to traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, making them popular among dark web users for illicit transactions.

Regulatory Efforts:

• Legislative Measures to Combat Dark Web Activities: Governments and regulatory authorities worldwide are implementing legislative measures to combat dark web activities and strengthen cybersecurity defenses.
• These efforts include increased surveillance and monitoring of dark web marketplaces, enhanced penalties for cybercrimes, and international collaboration to disrupt criminal networks operating on the dark web.

Key Takeaways

The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that operates beyond the reach of traditional search engines and is often associated with illegal activities. It provides a platform for anonymous communication, illegal trade, and other illicit activities.

While there are legitimate uses for the dark web, such as protecting privacy and freedom of speech in repressive regimes. It remains predominantly known for its association with cybercrime, drug trafficking, hacking, and other criminal endeavors.

As technology continues to evolve, efforts to combat the dark web and its illicit activities must also adapt to ensure a safer and more secure online environment for all.

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