Top Dark Web Forums – Easy Access – 2025

From leaked credentials to stolen corporate data, the dark web thrives as a hidden economy of cybercrime. Within this underground ecosystem, forums play a key role, acting as bustling marketplaces and bulletin boards where hackers discuss exploits, trade breach data, and advertise malware. These forums are not just random chatrooms; they are organized, active, and often the first stop after a major cyberattack. Understanding them helps us trace how sensitive information is circulated once it slips through the cracks of digital security. In this blog, we explore 15 of the most active and best dark web forums currently in operation.

Introduction

Dark web forums are the backbone of the cybercrime economy. These underground communities host everything from stolen data dumps and password leaks to malware kits and hacking tutorials. Bitcoin is usually used for transaction as it is the accepted currency across the dark web. Unlike casual social platforms, these forums are tightly focused on cybercrime collaboration, offering anonymity, escrow services, and access to high-value digital contraband. Whether you’re tracking leaked data or curious about hacker infrastructure, this guide sheds light on where today’s digital threats often begin.

What are Dark Web Forums?

Dark web forums are websites where users trade stolen information exploiting anonymity provided by dark web. This includes usernames, passwords, credit card details, and even private company information. These forums function as online secret markets where hackers and criminals sell stolen goods. They’re buried in difficult-to-find locations, making it easier for them to avoid detection.

Now let us take a look into the latest top 15 best dark web forum which are acting as hubs for hackers and criminals to sell stolen goods such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, and even private company information.

XSS.is

This elite Russian-speaking hacker forum, originally launched in 2005, is a premier destination for advanced exploit development and high-level data trading. Unlike most dark web forums, membership is tightly controlled. Prospective users must pass strict vetting to ensure only experienced cybercriminals gain access, which keeps the platform highly selective. The forum operates on a “quality over quantity” principle, fostering discussions that are technical, focused, and actionable. Recently, it has gained attention as a key venue for sharing zero-day vulnerabilities and sophisticated system exploits. Frequently mentioned in hacker forum lists and cyber leaks forum reviews, this forum remains a critical node in the underground landscape where elite threat actors exchange stolen credentials, attack vectors, and malware engineering tools.

The site rebranded from DaMaGeLaB to XSS around 2018, potentially due to the arrest of one of its administrators a year prior for their involvement in operating the Andromeda botnet.

BreachForums

Originally launched in 2022 as a successor to the infamous RaidForums, the original BreachForums quickly became one of the most active dark web forums for sharing leaked databases, password leaks, and stolen corporate data. However, after the site was seized by law enforcement in early 2023 and its administrator arrested, the platform briefly went dark. It was soon resurfaced on dark web in 2023 under new operators determined to restore its legacy. The revived version of BreachForums continues the same mission and serves as a major stolen data forum where users regularly trade breach-related content, including compromised credentials, internal documents, and government data leaks.

This rebooted forum retains the clean, accessible design of its predecessor but now includes enhanced moderation and a broader scope of leak sites and topics. Its popularity surged again with the appearance of stolen data from high-profile incidents like the MOVEit supply chain attack and leaks tied to Indian fintech platforms. Often listed among the best leak websites, it remains a dominant force in today’s cyber leaks forum ecosystem, frequented by both threat actors and researchers monitoring new breach activity.

Nulled.io

Nulled.io, established in 2015, is one of the most well-known and enduring dark web forums specializing in nulled leaks, premium account access, and cracked software. While not exclusively hidden on the dark web, it operates in the same gray zone as underground platforms, offering a vast collection of leaked data, from password leaks and leaked databases to paid scripts and tools for web development, SEO, and marketing automation. Its popularity stems from a large, active user base and a marketplace that facilitates the trading of stolen data and hacked credentials.

The forum first gained global attention in 2016 when its own internal database was breached and leaked online, exposing thousands of user credentials and private messages which is an ironic twist for a site rooted in data theft. This incident not only spotlighted Nulled.io’s reach but also raised questions about trust and security within underground communities. Since then, it has recovered and continued to grow, consistently appearing in hacker forum lists and cyber leaks forum discussions. Despite multiple takedown attempts and law enforcement scrutiny, Nulled.io remains one of the best leak websites, serving a persistent role in the ecosystem of forums for hackers and digital pirates.

Cracked.io

Cracked.io, active under its current domain since early 2025, is a rebranded continuation of the notorious Cracked.to, which originally launched in 2013. After Cracked.to was seized by law enforcement as part of a global cybercrime crackdown, the community quickly regrouped under the new Cracked.io domain, preserving its massive user base, structure, and purpose. Today, Cracked.io stands as one of the most trafficked dark web forums for password leaks, nulled leaks, and automated cracking tools. It appeals to both beginner and advanced cybercriminals with offerings like leaked databases, premium account generators, and credential stuffing utilities.

With a hybrid structure that blends cyber leaks forum discussions with black market transactions, Cracked.io has become a staple among forums for hackers and is frequently mentioned in hacker forum lists. It gained global attention for hosting data from breaches involving major streaming services, e-commerce platforms, and fintech apps. Its “tools” section is especially infamous for enabling large-scale attacks through automation. Despite constant scrutiny, Cracked.io remains resilient and continues to be recognized as one of the best leak websites for trading or obtaining stolen data across a wide range of industries.

DumpsForum

DumpsForum, active since 2019, is a well-known dark web forum primarily focused on the trade of leaked data, with a strong emphasis on payment card dumps, banking credentials, and stolen account information. It has earned a reputation for being a go-to stolen data forum where cybercriminals can access fullz (complete identity packages), CVVs, and database leaks sourced from both targeted attacks and large-scale breaches. While the site doesn’t boast the same flashy interface as newer forums, it maintains a loyal user base due to its reliability and niche focus.

Frequently mentioned across hacker forum lists, DumpsForum stands out by offering dedicated sections for leaked databases, nulled leaks, and tools tailored for financial fraud. In recent months, it has been linked to the circulation of compromised data from online retailers and fintech platforms. Its consistent activity and specialization in carding make it a critical player among cyber leak forums, and it continues to attract threat actors seeking monetizable breach content in a structured and familiar format.

Torilocks

Torilocks, a relatively new entrant launched in 2023, has rapidly gained traction as a specialized dark web forum catering to ransomware affiliates, data extortionists, and traders of leaked databases. While not as broad as traditional hacker forums, Torilocks has carved out its niche by focusing on cyber leaks, ransom negotiations, and exclusive breach disclosures. The forum operates through a Tor-based interface with restricted registration, giving it an air of exclusivity and trust among its target audience.

What sets Torilocks apart is its structured marketplace where leaked data, including password leaks and sensitive corporate intel, are sold or auctioned to the highest bidder. This has made it a favorite among actors dealing in ransomware double extortion tactics. Recently, Torilocks was associated with leaks from Eastern European manufacturing firms and healthcare providers, gaining mention in updated hacker forum lists. Although it lacks the legacy of older sites, its fast rise and focused design position it as one of the more promising and dangerous leak sites currently active in the stolen data forum ecosystem.

LeakBase

LeakBase began operations in September 2016 as a leak-focused platform not a traditional forum. It offers paid access to billions of compromised usernames and passwords. It served as a centralized resource for breached data, providing subscribers the ability to search credentials from breaches affecting services like Dropbox, LinkedIn, MySpace, and more. While LeakBase shared characteristics with cyber leaks forums, such as searchable breach data and credential dumps, it operated more like a dedicated leaked database site, complete with membership tiers and bulk access tools.

Despite its utility and rapid growth, LeakBase was abruptly shut down in December 2017, reportedly due to law enforcement pressure potentially linked to the Dutch police sting on the Hansa darknet market. At the time of closure, it redirected users to HaveIBeenPwned.com, signaling the official end of the service.

Altenen

Altenen, launched around 2008 and rebooted in mid‑2018, is a specialized credit card fraud and carding forum within the dark web ecosystem. It emerged as a premier hub for discussions on fraud techniques, payment‑card dumps, CVV data, and financial hacking tools. With its English‑language interface and active community, Altenen has retained a niche yet influential footprint in the underground cybercrime marketplace.

What sets Altenen apart is its unique operational model. New member activation often requires promoting the forum through social media, which has helped maintain visibility even after multiple shutdowns. The forum enforces vendor licensing, escrow systems, and dispute resolution processes, elevating trust among users despite its illicit purpose. It has remained operational through several rebuilds, most notably after the 2018 takedown of its founder.

Altenen continues to thrive in 2025, frequently appearing in hacker forum lists and intelligence reports highlighting stolen data forums. Its tight focus on cyber leaks, operational security, and financial exploitation make it a key resource for threat actors seeking leaked databases, password leaks, and coordinated fraud tactics.

Exploit.in

It is a Russian-speaking dark web forum, has earned a reputation as a go-to destination for leaked data, breach discussions, and zero-day exploit trading. Launched in the mid-2010s, it caters to a technically advanced audience, with users frequently exchanging sophisticated malware, initial access offers, and stolen database dumps. Unlike casual cyber leaks forums, Exploit.in maintains a closed ecosystem with high entry barriers, favoring credibility and verified sellers over volume. Its private threads often contain actionable intelligence on password leaks, enterprise breaches, and vulnerabilities yet to be publicly disclosed.

Over the years, Exploit.in has been referenced in various threat intelligence reports for hosting breach-related chatter linked to major data compromise events. From financial services to cloud storage platforms, numerous leaked databases first surfaced here before spreading to more public leak sites. Due to its selective nature and insider-level discussions, the forum is rarely listed on general hacker forum lists, yet it remains a key player in the underground cybercrime ecosystem. For those tracking the movement of stolen data forums and elite exploit trading, Exploit.in stands out as one of the most influential and best-kept secrets on the dark web.

SnatchForum

SnatchForum, a mid-tier data breach and password leaks forum, has emerged as a rising player among dark web forums, focusing heavily on leaked data, nulled leaks, and stolen account credentials. Active since the early 2020s, this cyber leaks forum offers an accessible yet fast-growing space for both novice and seasoned cybercriminals. Its interface mirrors that of other breach-centric platforms, but what sets SnatchForum apart is its active trading sections for password leaks, config files, and leaked databases targeting online services, gaming platforms, and financial institutions.

The forum gained momentum following the takedown of legacy platforms like RaidForums and quickly positioned itself as a reliable alternative for sharing stolen data and distributing cracked tools. While it may not yet rival the scale of more entrenched names like Cracked.io or BreachForums, SnatchForum is frequently mentioned in updated hacker forum lists and best leak websites due to its steady stream of compromised content. As regulatory crackdowns continue to fragment the dark web ecosystem, forums like SnatchForum are playing a growing role in sustaining the circulation of leaked databases and unauthorized access materials across the underground.

Dread

Dread, launched in February 2018, is an English-language dark web forum styled after Reddit and widely acknowledged as the go-to platform for darknet discussion and market intelligence. Built by the pseudonymous creator HugBunter in response to Reddit’s crackdown on darknet-market subreddits, it quickly amassed over 12,000 users within the first three months, reaching around 15,000 by mid‑2018. Unlike typical hacker forums, Dread emphasizes community-driven discussions around darknet markets, ransomware alerts, stolen credential leaks, and hacking tools within its many “subdreads” such as /d/DarkNetMarkets and /d/Hacking.

As a cyber leaks forum and knowledge hub, Dread has become a key source of early alerts. Past posts have revealed exit scams such as the downfall of World Street Market or details about market seizures, making it a catalyst for cybercrime investigations. According to threat intelligence reporting, platforms like SOCRadar estimate that over 1 million leaked credentials circulate annually via forums such as Dread. Despite occasional downtime including a major outage following the activation of its “deadman’s switch” in late 2019. Dread relaunched with enhanced security and remains active through Tor and i2p only, enforcing no-JavaScript design and optional registration for increased anonymity.

Frequently listed among the top forums for hackers and leak site trackers, Dread’s decentralized moderation, robust privacy systems, and subdread structure make it a vital source for leaked information, market intelligence, and threat actor discussions within the dark web ecosystem.

CraxPro

CraxPro is a private dark web cracking and leaks forum that has gained traction for its focus on combo lists, account takeovers, and credential stuffing resources. Launched in the early 2020s, CraxPro caters primarily to users interested in automated attack tools, breached data dumps, and tutorials on exploiting web application vulnerabilities. What sets CraxPro apart is its strict user-tier system, where only vetted or premium members gain access to high-value leaks and advanced cracking software.

The platform is widely recognized among threat intelligence communities for hosting frequent dumps of gaming accounts, streaming services, and SaaS tools. CraxPro’s automated checker tools and integrated API functionalities have enabled a surge in scalable brute-force attacks across sectors. With an ever-growing user base and exclusive leak sections, CraxPro is increasingly mentioned in cybersecurity reports as a critical node in the credential abuse ecosystem. While it remains less publicized than legacy forums, CraxPro’s specialized focus makes it a high-risk actor platform on the modern dark web landscape.

Chang’an Sleepless Night

Chang’an Sleepless Night, launched in December 2021, is a leading Chinese-language leak and cybercrime marketplace. It is essentially a hybrid data leak forum and illicit trading platform prominent in the East Asian underground ecosystem. The forum gained notoriety for offering a breadth of illicit goods and services, including leaked databases, PII and PHI data, credit card dumps, counterfeit documents, and hack-for-hire services. Thanks to its escrow-enabled transactions, multi-currency support, and an active Telegram channel for announcements, it rapidly attracted high engagement from both domestic and international actors.

As a cyber leaks hub, Chang’an stands out for hosting large-scale breach data particularly telecom, healthcare, and identity records often ahead of Western marketplaces. Security analysts spotlight it in 2023 reports as a likely haven for non-Chinese threat actors seeking unmonitored markets, especially following Western forum takedowns like RaidForums and BreachForums. With its regionally tailored interface, escrow security, and verified listings, Chang’an Sleeless Night is increasingly referenced in hacker forum lists and best leak site trackers targeting the Asia-Pacific threat landscape.

FreeHacks

FreeHacks, established in 2014, is a high-profile Russian-language hacking forum widely recognized for its advanced focus on carding, DDoS services, malware tooling, and cyber fraud techniques. Considered one of the largest and most exclusive platforms in the Russian dark web ecosystem, FreeHacks enforces a rigorous membership screening process. Prospective users must demonstrate technical skills before gaining access which ensures a community of elite cybercriminals and hackers.

As a curated cyber leaks forum and training ground, FreeHacks offers classified discussions around financial crime tools, account credential dumps, and network infiltration strategies. Its structured sub-forum categories include areas like carding tutorials, botnet configuration, brute-forcing (Brutus), proxy markets, and digital fraud operations. Featuring around 5,000 active users by mid‑2020, the forum’s content ranges from stolen identity packages to exploit development scripts and malware distribution tools.

References to FreeHacks appear frequently in deep web monitoring guides and threat intelligence reports, highlighting its influence as a stolen data forum and a central hub for operational tools upstream of broader cybercrime campaigns. With its commitment to vetting, curated tooling, and peer-reviewed content, FreeHacks remains a crucial platform in the landscape of underground cybercrime communities making it a key entry on any modern hacker forum list or best leak site tracker.

RaidForums

RaidForums, which operated between 2015 and 2022, became one of the most notorious dark web forums for distributing leaked databases, password leaks, and sensitive corporate records. It functioned as a central hub for threat actors trading stolen data, often featuring high-profile breaches from global companies, government organizations, and educational institutions. Known for its user-friendly interface and open access to cyber leaks, RaidForums attracted a massive user base that drove frequent updates and community-driven database indexing. Although primarily English-speaking, the forum’s international reach made it a key source for leaked data across diverse sectors.

Despite its eventual seizure by law enforcement during a coordinated international operation in 2022, RaidForums’ legacy still influences modern stolen data forums. Many of today’s platforms including BreachForums and DumpsForum imitate its layout and user incentives. Its downfall marked a turning point in the underground scene, yet archived copies and reuploads of its leaks continue to circulate on newer leak sites and forums for hackers. Often included in retrospective hacker forum lists, RaidForums remains a symbolic example of how data trafficking flourished in the pre-2023 dark web landscape.

Conclusion

The ongoing activity across these dark web forums highlights the persistent threat landscape fueled by massive data breaches and weak digital defenses. As threat actors continue to evolve, these underground platforms remain central to the circulation of stolen credentials, malware, and illicit services. While cybersecurity solutions grow more sophisticated, the dark web adapts just as quickly making proactive monitoring and threat intelligence more important than ever.

In this environment, staying informed about the ecosystem of dark web forums isn’t just a research exercise, it’s a critical layer of defense. For individuals and organizations alike, understanding how stolen data moves post-breach can guide more effective cybersecurity strategies and reduce long-term risk exposure.