Top 10 Deep Web and Dark Web Forums

Hacker forums have long served as the foundation of Dark Web communication, enabling threat actors to share tools, trade stolen data, and coordinate illicit activity in highly anonymous environments. These Dark Web forums are not static; they evolve, vanish, or reappear under new names and leadership. The transition from RaidForums to BreachForums, followed by its shutdown and attempted revival, illustrates just how fluid this underground ecosystem can be. For security researchers and professionals engaged in Dark Web threat intelligence, tracking the best hacker forums is essential to understanding how cybercriminals operate and where new threats emerge. Below, we examine some of the most active and impactful forums shaping the Dark Web.

What Happens on Dark Web Forums?

Hacker forums are among the most active pillars of the Dark Web’s cybercrime ecosystem. These platforms are not just spaces for sharing stealer logs, combo lists, exploits, and malicious tools. They also host forum rivalries, Dark Web market discussions, and frequent doxxing attempts among threat actors. Some users apply to join ransomware groups, while others boast about past attacks or engage in smear campaigns against competing forums.

At times, a stolen database from a single organization may appear not on one forum but across multiple platforms simultaneously. This fragmentation makes it difficult to assess the source, scope, and speed of a leak by monitoring just one site. Understanding the Dark Web requires more than simply analyzing leaked content. It demands a clear view of who shares what, where, and in what context. For cybersecurity professionals, hacker forums are not only a source of real-time threat signals but also a window into the dynamics of underground cybercriminal behavior.

This is precisely where SOCRadar’s Advanced Dark Web Monitoring solution becomes critical. With comprehensive forum tracking, real-time alerts, and a powerful search engine, this service enables organizations to detect a wide range of threats, including stealer logs, leaked credentials, credit card dumps, and executive-targeted risks. It also monitors underground chatter, giving security teams early warning when their brand, domain, or key personnel are mentioned in malicious contexts. Rather than reacting after damage is done, SOCRadar helps organizations uncover hidden threats before they escalate.

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1 – XSS

XSS, with a history stretching back to 2013, emerges not only as one of the oldest forums but also as a prominent hub for dangerous threat actors within the Russian-speaking cyber landscape. Established in 2013, the forum underwent a rebranding in 2018, adopting the name XSS in reference to the Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability following the arrest of one of its administrators in 2017. Operating as both a TOR and surface web-accessible platform, XSS serves as a bustling hacker forum where discussions revolve around unauthorized access sales, malware, security vulnerabilities, and database trading.

Given its Russian-speaking user base and notorious reputation, XSS has hosted numerous prominent Russian threat actors, including LockBit, ALPHV/BlackCat, REvil, and the DarkSide threat group behind the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack. The forum serves as a meeting point for threat actors, facilitating recruitment announcements and various cyber threat exchanges. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) groups and other threat actors utilize XSS for PR purposes, engaging in discussions and promoting their activities to bolster their reputations.

After the takedown of BreachForums, XSS became an early fallback for many displaced users. For instance, a known associate of IntelBroker from the CyberNiggers group attempted to sell stolen data on XSS shortly after the forum was shut down. While IntelBroker himself did not move to XSS, the presence of his close partner signaled the forum’s growing influence.

Notably, underground markets for stolen credit cards, such as BidenCash and BriansClub, frequently advertise on this forum. According to comments from threat actors, XSS’s longevity and popularity are attributed to its offshore nature and the admin’s operational security (OPSEC) knowledge, which purportedly enhances forum-wide secrecy and privacy.

2 – LeakBase

LeakBase stands out as a major player in the Dark Web hacker forum scene, recognized for its strong focus on data leaks and stealer logs. As the name suggests, the forum maintains a large and continuously updated archive of leaked databases, including both older breaches and newly surfaced data.

Available on the surface web and conducted in English, LeakBase functions as both a marketplace and discussion hub for cybercriminals exchanging compromised information. The forum features a high volume of stealer log data, including credential pairs such as email and password combinations, combo lists, and other access credentials.

With its credit-based economy and clearly organized sections for malware, vulnerabilities, legal tools, and leak-related content, LeakBase attracts a highly engaged user base driven by reputation. One notable rule is the forum’s ban on Russia-related data, which appears to be a precaution to avoid geopolitical friction. This restriction may also suggest that some administrators or founding members are themselves Russian-speaking and seek to avoid drawing local attention.

3 – Exploit.in

Established in 2005, Exploit stands as one of the leading Russian hacker forums in the cybercrime sphere, akin to XSS. Operating across TOR and the surface web, Exploit serves as a rendezvous point for initial access brokers, facilitating unauthorized access sales, malware dissemination, security vulnerabilities, and database transactions, either for sale or free distribution.

Much like XSS, Exploit plays a pivotal role in connecting career-oriented cybercriminals with potential collaborators for illicit ventures, such as hacking, fraud, or involvement in Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) groups.

With its tightly structured organization and membership policies, Exploit gives off an air of discipline and control more commonly seen in organized cybercrime. This stringent approach has propelled it into the spotlight of the cyber threat landscape, establishing itself as a forum where predominantly genuine content is shared. Non-Russian speakers and amateur threat actors find themselves marginalized within this forum’s community due to its exclusivity.

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4 – BHF

BHF, short for Best Hack Forum, is a Russian-speaking cybercrime forum believed to have been active since 2012. Accessible through both the surface web and the Tor network, it functions as a major platform for threat actors engaged in a wide range of illicit activities. The forum is organized into categories such as software cracking, social engineering, access sales, vulnerability exploitation, combo list dumps, stealer logs, spam tools, and hacking tutorials. To support secure transactions, BHF offers an escrow (guarantor) service. With its long history, technical depth, and large user base, it remains a key part of the Russian-language underground.

5 – Dread

Established in 2018 by the administrator known as HugBunter, Dread is one of the most active English-speaking forums on the Dark Web. Often compared to Reddit due to its interface and community-based structure, Dread enables discussions on a wide range of topics, including ransomware operations, darknet market shutdowns, credential leaks, and privacy tools.

The forum’s most discussed topics revolve around Dark Web markets such as Abacus, Russian Market, BriansClub, and Exodus. Some of these marketplaces even have their own dedicated subdreads, where vendors and users post updates, reviews, scam alerts, and operational news.

Dread features topic-specific “subdreads,” decentralized moderation, and strong anonymity protections via the Tor network. It also employs robust security measures to resist persistent DDoS attacks. While the platform hosts some privacy-focused and cybersecurity-related content, its role in facilitating illicit trade makes it a key point of interest for both cybercriminals and threat researchers.

Despite ongoing technical challenges and increased law enforcement scrutiny, Dread remains one of the Dark Web’s most influential forums. For cybersecurity professionals, monitoring this space offers crucial visibility into emerging threats and underground market trends.

6 – DarkForums

After the takedown of BreachForums, many threat actors scattered across various underground platforms. One of these is DarkForums, a hacker forum that emerged in 2023 shortly after pompompurin’s BreachForums was shut down. Although it initially received limited attention, DarkForums has gained traction in 2025, especially following the disappearance of BreachForums in April.

DarkForums functions like a typical Dark Web community. It offers access to leaked databases, stealer logs, combo lists, leads, malware, account checkers, and cracked accounts. There is also a dedicated section for premium sales.

The forum features a tiered membership model similar to BreachForums, with three paid ranks: VIP, MVP, and GOD. Premium members also gain access to private Telegram channels, including a data leak feed not available to regular users.

As of May 2025, DarkForums has 12,767 registered users and continues to grow as former BreachForums users look for new homes.

7 – RAMP

Established in July 2021, RAMP (Russian Anonymous Market Place) stands out among Dark Web forums where Russian, Chinese, and English are spoken. The forum maintains stringent policies for membership, with one of the most crucial being the requirement of a good reputation on XSS and Exploit forums. RAMP surged in popularity by capitalizing on the aftermath of the Colonial Pipeline attack in the US, leveraging its effects on the Dark Web.

Following the Colonial Pipeline attack, many hacker forums imposed restrictions on data related to ransomware groups. Serving as a vital point for Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) groups, RAMP carved out a special place under its “partners program” for these groups to conduct activities such as recruiting new hackers or selling initial access. This could be one of the most significant distinctions between RAMP and other forums.

8 – Altenen

Altenen stands out among English-speaking hacker forums accessible on the surface web. Focused on a variety of fraudulent activities, notably credit card fraud, the forum delves into discussions on fraud techniques, cracking, hacking, IT topics, and much more.

Established in 2008, Altenen faced a setback when its founder was apprehended in May 2018, leading to the closure of the original forum. However, its successor continues to be actively used. To maintain its activity, Altenen mandates new members to share the forum’s domains on platforms such as X, Youtube, and other social media platforms to activate their memberships, ensuring the forum’s continued operation.

9 – Cracked

Cracked is an English-language hacker forum that operates on the surface web and is known for its large and active user base. The platform features discussions on combo lists, credentials, stealer logs, hacking tools, and software vulnerabilities. It includes 12 language-specific subforums, with the French section noted as the most active among them. On January 29, 2025, Cracked.io was targeted in Operation Talent, a coordinated law enforcement effort led by the FBI in collaboration with international agencies. The operation resulted in the seizure of domains belonging to Cracked.io and Nulled.to, two well-known forums linked to the sale of stolen data, credential leaks, and illicit software. Following the takedown, Cracked remained operational by shifting to a new domain, continuing its role as a key hub in the cybercrime ecosystem despite ongoing legal pressure.

10 – CryptBB

CryptBB is a Tor-based hacker forum that has maintained a low-profile yet consistent presence on the Dark Web since 2017. Originally launched by users known as LongPig and Power, the forum built its reputation on strong OPSEC practices and a strict vetting process, including user interviews for new registrations. Today, membership is more accessible, though the community remains selective.

Focused on cybercrime, offensive security, and anonymity, CryptBB provides a private space for sharing stealer logs, malware tools, and exploit techniques. Its minimalist design and emphasis on user-controlled privacy settings distinguish it from larger forums with higher exposure.

CryptBB avoids mass recruitment and publicity, favoring a quieter model that appeals to experienced users who value discretion. The onion link is usually circulated in trusted channels or invite-only sections.

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Bonus: BreachForums

BreachForums was one of the most influential platforms in the Dark Web ecosystem, particularly in the context of data breaches, stealer logs, and high-profile threat actor activity. However, not every forum bearing the “BreachForums” name carries the same weight.

It all began with the shutdown of RaidForums, one of the most dominant platforms of its time. Following its collapse, a well-known member, Pompompurin, launched the first version of BreachForums and quickly gained credibility. By importing valuable leak databases and offering a trusted escrow system, the new forum established itself as a reliable successor. But things changed in 2023 after Pompompurin’s arrest. The forum’s management was handed over to Baphomet, who, along with groups like ShinyHunters, kept it alive for a time. However, further arrests, internal chaos, and the disappearance of figures like IntelBroker eventually led to another collapse in April 2025.

In the aftermath, several clones emerged under the BreachForums name. But lacking verified PGP keys and original leadership, most of these alternatives failed to gain traction. Even the most recent version, hosted at breached[.]fi, has been treated with suspicion. Many in the threat community believe it may be compromised or a law enforcement honeypot.

What made BreachForums truly impactful wasn’t just the name. It was the reputation of its operators, the volume and relevance of the data it hosted, and the forum’s infrastructure. Without that foundation, newer versions simply don’t hold the same influence.

Today, former BreachForums members have scattered across multiple platforms. Its direct presence may have faded, but its legacy continues to shape how underground forums emerge, evolve, and dissolve. Notably, 9 out of the top 15 most active threat actors between 2024 and 2025 were associated with BreachForums. This statistic underscores the forum’s central role in the Dark Web threat landscape. Even while offline, the actors it nurtured continue to influence cybercrime activity across the ecosystem.