Table of Contents
According to 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 Web is the Tor network, which allows users to maintain anonymity and privacy while accessing websites and services.
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- Dark Web Intelligence Market expects the market to reach USD 2921.8 Million by 2032
- The 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 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.
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 web, 1000 premium quality malware attacks can be purchased for $5000.
- Stolen credit card data is available for sale on the 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 have a combined size of more than 750 TB.
- 7 out of 10 requests on the web are related to individuals seeking contact with criminals.
- Qwerty and 123456 are among the most commonly leaked passwords found on the 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%.
- 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 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 web.
- The most challenging types of data to collect from the web in the United States are strategic intelligence, followed by operational and tactical intelligence.
- Dark web statistics indicate that 65% of active criminals utilize web data for cyber-attacks.
- Around 80% of email data has been leaked to the 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.
Illegal Activities on the Dark Web
Drug Trade
- Approximately 20% of global drug sales occur on darknet markets, making them a significant platform for drug trafficking.
- In 2022, the number of drug listings on Web marketplaces surpassed 44,000, indicating a substantial availability of illicit drugs for sale.
Cybercrime and Hacking
- The availability of hacking tools and services 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 exceeded 15 billion, indicating the widespread impact of data breaches and the potential for identity theft.
Weapons and Arms Trafficking
- 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.
Human Trafficking
- 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.
Financial Fraud
- Financial fraud-related listings comprise a significant portion of 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 marketplaces exceeded 100 million.
- 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 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.
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 content involves illegal pornography, including explicit and illicit materials.
- Hacked accounts (3%): Approximately 3% of the 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 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 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 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 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 content is dedicated to illegal file sharing, encompassing pirated software, copyrighted materials, and other digital content traded without proper authorization.
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