Dark web websites can be divided into several main categories. Here are some major types of dark web websites:
Autoshop marketplaces: Autoshops are illicit online stores that mostly sell stolen data like login credentials, financial details, PII, or corporate email addresses. They’re called “autoshops” because they run automatically: buyers pay with cryptocurrency, and the system instantly delivers the purchased data.
Escrow marketplaces: Like autoshops, escrow marketplaces are commonly used for shady transactions, but the payment mechanism differs: a trusted third party (often the marketplace itself) temporarily holds the buyer’s payment in escrow until they confirm receipt of the goods or services from the seller.
Hacking forums: These are communities where hackers exchange knowledge, share hacking tools, and discuss vulnerabilities or exploits. They may share leaked personal information or disseminate phishing tutorials. Some are private, invite-only sites, while others are massive open discussion boards.
Ransomware leak sites: Ransomware groups use dedicated leak sites (DLS) to publish stolen data and pressure victims to pay. Sobering ransomware statistics indicate that ransomware attacks are surging, making anti-ransomware tools all the more valuable.
Mirrors of legitimate websites: Not all onion sites are illicit. Many reputable news outlets, social platforms, and government agencies host dark web versions of their sites to provide access for users in regions with heavy censorship or surveillance.
Whistleblower platforms: Anonymous platforms enable users to share sensitive or controversial information with journalists, organizations, or the public. They're often used by whistleblowers to expose corporate misconduct, government overreach, or human rights violations.
Anonymous messaging platforms: These platforms enable encrypted, anonymous communication between users, helping protect privacy and reduce the risk of surveillance.
This list is not exhaustive, and there are many more types of onion sites on the dark net, including websites offering fraud services, botnet panels, file repositories for pirated media, forums for extremist groups, and more.
Unfortunately, many dark web websites are devoted to the illegal trade of leaked personal information. If you’ve ever experienced an uptick in phishing attacks and spam after a data leak or breach, it may be because your personal information has been posted to the dark web.