- $12.5 billion lost: Internet crime complaints in the U.S. surged to 880,418 in 2023, with losses rising 22% from the previous year.
- 15 billion stolen credentials: The number of leaked account credentials on the dark web jumped 82% in 2022.
- 60% of dark web sites are illegal: A majority of dark web domains facilitate cybercrime.
- Ransomware attacks soared 55.5%: Over 5,070 victims were targeted in 2023, with health care being the hardest-hit sector.
- U.S. and Germany lead dark web traffic: Together, they account for over 68% of global Tor network users.
The dark web is a concealed segment of the internet, inaccessible through standard search engines. You need specialized browsers like Tor to enter the dark web. While it hosts legitimate content, a significant portion is dedicated to illicit activities, including the trade of stolen data and cyberattack tools.
Understanding the dark web’s scale and operations can help you protect your digital assets. Explore key dark web statistics, including the number of people using the dark web, things you can find there and the types of activities it hosts. We will also share some tips for safe browsing so you can keep your data safe.
Key Dark Web Statistics
The dark web remains a hidden world where millions connect every day. It’s part of the deep web, which includes all pages that search engines can’t index. The dark web makes up less than 1% of the entire network. Even then, this space is vast and constantly evolving.
Take a look at these dark web facts to get a quick overview:
- Dark web size: The deep web comprises about 90% of the internet, while the dark web accounts for approximately 0.01%. (Google)
- Market size and growth: Recent reports project that the market will expand to nearly $2.92 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 21.8%. (Market.us)
- Daily dark web users: The number of daily users visiting the dark web rose from 2 to 3+ million between the beginning and end of March 2025. (Tor)
- Dark web users by country: The United States has the highest number of Tor users, followed by Germany, India and Finland. (Tor)
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- United States: 17.6%
- Germany: 13.47%
- India: 4.74%
- Finland: 3.43%
- Netherlands: 3.33%
- Spain: 3.19%
- United Kingdom: 2.95%
- Indonesia: 2.88%
- France: 2.73%
- Republic of Korea: 2.61%
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- Italy alone sees over 76,000 Tor users each day — that’s about one-fifth of all daily Tor users in Europe. (Information Geographies)
- In 2023, over half of Italy’s online population got a warning that their data had been breached. Of those alerts, 77.5% were about data found on the dark web. (Statista)
- Illegal content share: As of 2020, nearly 57% of the content on the dark web was illegal. (Research Gate)
- The United States has the maximum number of mean daily Tor users: 387,456 (17.6%). Germany comes next with 296,712 (13.47%) users. (Tor)
- Language preferences: Around 83.27% of dark web sites are in English. (Research Gate)
Dark Web Sites and Marketplaces
The dark web hosts a range of sites that provide different services for cybercriminals and other users. These dark web websites include marketplaces, discussion forums and sites offering illegal services. They operate under high anonymity, making it challenging for law enforcement to track the operators.
Here are some key facts about dark web sites and marketplaces that fuel an underground economy:
- Familiarity level: As of October 2022, nearly 50% of adults in the United States reported being somewhat familiar with the dark web; 21% stated they were very familiar. (Statista)
- Cryptocurrency transactions on the dark web nearly doubled from 2020 levels, reaching an estimated value of nearly $25 billion in 2022. (Market.us)
- Cybercriminals can buy details for a credit card with a $5,000 balance for only $110. (Statista)
- Employee login credentials, including company names, addresses, emails and passwords, are among the leading items that get traded on the dark web.
- Identity theft is the most common crime on the dark web, accounting for over 65% of all monitored illicit activities. (Market.us)
- Credit card fraud represents about 15% of dark web activities, with the volume of card dumps rising by 6% from 2021, surpassing 192 million listings with an average credit limit of roughly $8,700. (Market.us)
- Dark web drug sales increased by around 15% in 2022, with an estimated $1.7 billion generated from illicit drug transactions. (Market.us)
- Marketplace evolution: High-profile dark web marketplaces like Silk Road, AlphaBay and Hydra Market have been shut down, while newer sites like InTheBox, Genesis Market and 2Easy continue to operate.
- 92% of cybercriminal marketplaces offer dispute resolution services. (HP)
- 77% require vendors to hold a license, which can cost around $3,000. (HP)
Dark Web Cybersecurity Attacks
The dark web is not only a marketplace for illicit goods — it also serves as a launching pad for sophisticated cyberattacks. Cybercriminals use the dark web to plan and coordinate attacks ranging from different types of phishing and credential stuffing to ransomware and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
With the wealth of stolen data circulating in hidden forums and marketplaces, there’s a heightened risk of data breaches and operational disruptions. Even casual mentions of a company in dark web circles can serve as a prelude to an attack.
Here are some key statistics that highlight dark web-related cybersecurity risks:
- Dependence on dark web data: 65% of active criminals use dark web data for cyberattacks. (Market.us)
- Email vulnerability: Approximately 80% of email data has been leaked to the dark web. (Market.us)
- Ransomware surge: In 2023, ransomware groups saw unprecedented success, with a 55.5% surge in victims, totaling 5,070, a quick rise from the previous year. (Cyberint)
- Compromised credentials risk: Organizations with compromised credentials found on the dark web face a 2.56x higher risk of experiencing a cyberattack. (ID Agent)
- Market listings impact: Dark web market listings increase an organization’s likelihood of a cyber incident by 2.41x. (ID Agent)
- Special exposure hazards: Exposure from Telegram chats and forum posts can raise cyberattack risk by up to 1.75x. (Searchlight Cyber and Marsh McLennan)
Dark Web Crime Statistics
Cybercriminals exploit the dark web’s hidden nature to conduct a wide range of illicit activities — from hacking and doxing to fraud and ransomware (and much more).
Here are some dark web statistics that underscore the magnitude of different types of cybercrimes and the growing threat they pose:
- Staggering escalation in cybercrime: In 2023, there were 880,418 internet crime complaints in the U.S., resulting in $12.5 billion in losses — a 22% rise compared to 2022. (FBI)
- Massive daily traffic: As of March 2025, over 3 million visitors access dark web platforms daily, with illegal websites constituting about 60% of all domains. (Tor, Market.us)
- Illicit revenue generation: The dark web economy is estimated to generate around $1.5 billion in annual revenue from the sale of stolen data, counterfeit goods and other illegal products. (Market.us)
- Credential surge: Stolen account credentials available on the dark web surged by 82% in 2022, reaching an estimated 15 billion credentials — a major enabler of subsequent cyberattacks. (Market.us)
- In 2023, 298,878 entities reported falling victim to phishing scams — only slightly lower than the 300,497 reported in 2022. (FBI)
- In contrast, incidents of personal data breaches (55,851), non-delivery or non-payment (50,523), extortion (48,223) and tech support scams (37,560) were significantly lower.
Browse Safely With the Right Security Systems
When exploring the dark web, taking proper precautions is essential. Here are some useful tips to help you stay safe while navigating this hidden part of the internet:
- Maintain anonymity: Use specialized tools like the Tor Browser and a reliable virtual private network (VPN) to hide your IP address and keep your identity secure.
- Use dark web monitoring tools: Consider tools (including those that function like Google dark web monitoring) to get alerts if your personal data is leaked.
- Exercise caution with links and downloads: Browse the web safely and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from unverified sources to prevent malware infections.
- Keep your software updated: Regularly update your operating system, browser and security software to patch vulnerabilities.
You should also consider using a security software program like Panda Dome, which protects against viruses and malware. It comes with features like anonymous browsing and helps you continuously scan for digital threats, protecting you and your loved ones against evolving digital threats.