Established in 2019, Russian Market is a well-known and highly regarded data store on the dark web, specializing in the sale of PII and various forms of stolen data. Despite its name, the marketplace operates primarily in English and serves a global audience. It has gained a reputation for being a reliable source of high-quality data for cybercriminals. Dark web forums offer a range of illicit services, from hacking and DDoS attacks to money laundering and counterfeit document creation. Altenen, an English-speaking forum focused on credit card fraud, has been active since 2008.
Beacon Cybersecurity Newsletter
This first blog looks at developments on dark web forums and marketplaces in 2023. This year was a turbulent one for dark web marketplaces, with some of the major players falling into extinction either as a result of law enforcement action or by their own volition. But first we’ll look at cybercriminal forums, where there was a flurry of activity thanks to the disruption of BreachForums (which continues, cockroach-like, in spite of some major hiccups). However, by staying informed and adopting proactive security practices, you can significantly mitigate these risks.
How Can Businesses Prevent Carding?
Stick to cryptocurrency, avoid downloading anything, and don’t share any personal info. Some markets are invite-only or have strict registration rules to keep out scammers and law enforcement. In 2019, there were approximately 8,400 active sites on the dark web, selling thousands of products and services daily. As of 2020, nearly 57% of the dark web was estimated to contain illegal content, including violence and extremist platforms. The shutdowns have led to discussions about operational security, as some forum members fear they could also be arrested. “Hard times have come. Take care of yourself and remember your safety,” said one user.
Evolving Trends In Carding : Carding Sites
Almost all dark web forum activities are illegal, and hence, the last thing users want is to reveal their real identities. Fortunately, the forums offer an option for users to operate under pseudonyms that help protect their identities. It’s the best way that users can make open communications as well as share sensitive data without exposing themselves. XSS (formerly known as DaMaGeLaB) was one of the longest-serving forums in the deep web. It was a dominant forum that featured a dangerous threat for average users within the Russian-speaking cyber environment.
Staying Safe Online
Others are more confident that the string of shutdowns is a temporary blip and that, as previously, other marketplaces will rise up to fill the void. This gives security teams time to adjust their defenses before new techniques become widespread. When used correctly, it provides strategic intelligence that can prevent major financial losses.
Use 3D Secure 20
Validated cards are used to purchase goods or services, resell digital items, transfer funds to mule accounts, or, sold to other criminals in darknet marketplaces. Discover the pros and cons of using credit cards or card for purchases, including benefits and risks, to make informed financial decisions. Stolen credit cards are often used to make purchases at specific sites that don’t have protections against fraud.
Escrow And Feedback Systems
Marketplaces frequently employ an escrow system, temporarily holding cryptocurrency payments until buyers confirm that the purchased credit card data is valid and functional. Another notable marketplace is BriansClub, still operational as of early 2024, known for consistently stocking fresh card data obtained through large-scale data breaches and skimming operations. Platforms like BriansClub periodically experience law enforcement disruptions yet often re-emerge or adapt under new identities. In addition to its main website, Dark Web Informer maintains a presence on several platforms, including GitHub, LinkedIn, and Medium, where it shares cyber threat intelligence information, tools, and articles. Recently, on February 17, 2025, Dark Web Informer claimed that B1ack’s Stash is a “legitimate” fraud site.
Theidentified Telegram channels provide detailed manuals on how to useZ-NFC for fraud. The bad actors created intuitive videos guidingcybercriminals on defrauding consumers and using compromised paymentdata via NFC. Primarily, the actors use Android-based phones, with numerous cards “loaded” into mobile wallets for further fraud.
Carding sites facilitate the trade of stolen card data, tools and tutorials, often operating on the dark web. The data posted on these online illicit shops is a goldmine for threat actors who are looking to commit financial crimes. It provides them with valuable information needed to carry out a variety of attacks. This post will discuss deep and dark web credit card sites, specifically the top illicit credit card shops.
Securing Virtualized Environments – Hypervisor Security Best Practices
It’s known that the best place to purchase or even exchange various hacking tools is on the dark web discussion boards. They’re the tools that enable cybercriminals to conduct their attacks on businesses, institutions, and individuals. Shortly after the shutdowns, we began to notice users advising “beginners” to avoid carding. Newbies seeking help to start out in the game suddenly began to receive thread responses to choose another type of malicious activity. In a classic case of market supply-and-demand, it seems that fewer carding platforms is making payment cards more expensive.
The stolen data reportedly includes a mix of credit and debit cards from major providers like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB. The remaining stolen vendor forums and websites are gripped with a noticeable level of paranoia as seizures and closures continue. Bitcoin payments for stolen data have more than halved since November 2021 – amounting to $19.3 million (down from over $43 million) in March 2022.
- Resecurityobserved several postings where cybercriminals discussed the tools touse for NFC fraud.
- One particularly interesting detection method involves monitoring dark web markets themselves.
- Experts suggest that this giveaway serves as a marketing ploy to attract new users to B1ack’s Stash and establish its dominance in the competitive carding market.
- Occasionally, data dumps containing credit card details or other sensitive information are also shared directly within the forums.
- It discusses data leaks, vulnerabilities, malware, and legal tools, attracting prominent threat actors.
A Hacker Turned A Popular AI Tool Into A Cybercrime Machine
Most banks and credit card providers offer alert features for things like card charges, overseas purchases, and account setting changes. It scans the web for leaks involving your email and personal information, sending real-time alerts if it finds anything suspicious. If you receive an alert, you’ll know your data has been compromised, allowing you to quickly take steps to minimize damage, like freezing your credit cards. One of them, “HCE Bridge”, simulates and implements all six EMV Contactless Kernels, including PayPass, PayWave, Expresspay, J/Speedy, D-PAS, and QuickPass.
