Dark web hacker forums are the secret hangouts of cybercriminals, data thieves, and rogue coders who trade stolen data, powerful malware, and expose security flaws. These forums aren’t your average tech forums—they’re virtual black markets and intelligence centers rolled into one. Here you will find everything related to hacking, including leaked databases, ransomware kits, step-by-step hacking tutorials, and much more.
What Are Dark Web Hacker Forums?
Dark web hacker forums are online discussion boards and marketplaces where individuals with advanced technical skills or malicious intent can communicate and collaborate anonymously. These forums typically exist on .onion domains, which are only accessible via the Tor network. Due to the anonymous nature of Tor, users can engage without revealing their true identities or locations, making these spaces attractive for illegal activity.
Forums often require registration, and some enforce test procedures or even entrance fees to weed out law enforcement agents and inexperienced users. These platforms host discussions on topics like:
- Data breach techniques
- Phishing kits
- Ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS)
- Zero-day exploits
- DDoS attack services
- Stolen credit card information
- Cryptocurrency laundering
Popular Topics on Dark Web Hacker Forums
A glance at the topics on hacker forums reveals a disturbing yet technologically sophisticated world:
1. Data Dumps and Leaks
Forums are frequently used to share or sell data dumps from recent breaches. This includes user credentials, passport scans, medical records, and financial information.
2. Credential Stuffing and Brute Force Attacks
Hackers share methods for conducting credential stuffing—using stolen usernames and passwords to access other services. Automation tools for such tasks are common discussion points.
3. Malware Development
Users often collaborate on malware code or share ready-to-use malware like keyloggers, Trojans, or ransomware. They may also offer “crypting” services to make malware undetectable by antivirus software.
4. Exploit Trading
Zero-day vulnerabilities—unknown software bugs that can be exploited—are highly valuable. Hacker forums sometimes act as dark web markets for these vulnerabilities.
5. Anonymous Payments
Bitcoin and privacy coins like Monero (XMR) are the preferred currencies in these forums. Users discuss mixing services to anonymize transactions and evade traceability.
Active Dark Web Hacker Forums You Must Visit in 2025
You will get insights about the latest activities and techniques used by hackers in the dark web hacking forums. Here we have shared active forum links; you must proceed with caution, as these platforms are often filled with scammers and malicious actors.
Ramp
Onion Link: http://rampjcdlqvgkoz5oywutpo6ggl7g6tvddysustfl6qzhr5osr24xxqqd.onion/
One of the best dark web hacker forums is Dread Forum, launched in February 2018. It includes a prominent dark web links community with over 18,000 active members. It serves as a hub for discussions on a wide array of topics, including darknet marketplaces, underground activities, narcotics, hacking, and counterfeit goods. Its interface and user experience closely mirror Reddit, making it especially appealing to former Reddit users seeking an alternative space for open dialogue on fringe or controversial subjects.
At the core of Dread’s success is its lead administrator, HugBunter, who has consistently opposed paid memberships. This commitment to accessibility has helped fuel the forum’s steady growth. Currently, the platform hosts more than 700 sub-forums, or “sub-dreads,” and sees a daily volume of over 500 posts, reflecting its active and engaged user base.
Kernal
Onion Link: http://cumshitudpemjs4exlopowrjlxj4gw7z3tvelx3wxkbqyihxkulyvpid.onion/
Kernal is a small, funny, friendly, and talented community for “hackers” or other weirdos. The main goal of Kernal is to create memes and, overall, have quality time while keeping the user base small and friendly. This forum works to make each other stronger through sharing the hacking progress, achievements, and failures. So, if you are a technology-driven, chill person with a passion for FOSS, who is willing to actively participate in hacking, you must join Karnel dark web hacker forum.
Def Con
Onion Link: https://ezdhgsy2aw7zg54z6dqsutrduhl22moami5zv2zt6urr6vub7gs6wfad.onion/
It is one of the notorious and technically advanced dark web hacker forums. The DEFCON Forum is a Tor-based anonymous forum where hackers and like-minded individuals gather to discuss:
- Hacking techniques and tutorials
- Exploit development and sharing
- Cybercrime trends
- Software vulnerabilities
- Network intrusion tactics
- Security research
- Cryptocurrency privacy
- Marketplace advertisements
- Leak databases
Here, every user is assigned ranks or titles based on their reputation, activity, and contributions. English is the default; some threads and sections are available in Russian, Chinese, German, and Arabic-speaking users.
Sum Up
Dark web hacker forums are a shadowy underworld of the internet where technical knowledge meets criminal enterprise. In this post, we have shared the hacker forums that show the power and the danger of digital anonymity and decentralization. However, some of the most notorious hacker forums include RaidForums, which has now been seized. While many have been taken down by law enforcement and also new ones often rise in their place.