Dark web market trends: last year in review and projections for 2024 – PRWire

PRWire:

Dark web market trends: last year in review and projections for 2024

Last year, Kaspersky experts witnessed a significant uptick in stealers and extortion activities on the dark web market. Looking ahead, the company also anticipates new challenges, including a heightened presence of crypto-drainer services, increased promotion of fraudulent websites through search advertising, and a rise in malicious ‘loaders’.

In the latest Kaspersky Security Bulletin (KSB), experts from Global Research and Analysis Team and Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence have compiled a comprehensive review of the past year and provided insights into emerging trends in the shadowy dark web market – a central hub for illicit services within the cybercriminal community.

2023 Highlights:

  • Ransomware blog posts saw a surge

Ransomware actors typically create blogs for blackmailing companies, revealing new successful hacks of businesses or as a place to post stolen data. In 2022, there were around 386 monthly blog posts on public platforms and the dark web. In 2023, the average surged to 476, peaking in November (634 posts).

The number of posts in ransomware blogs, 2023. Source: Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence

  • Personal and corporate credentials faced an escalating risk of leakage

The dark web market saw a rise in posts related to stealer malware, designed to pilfer sensitive information such as login credentials, financial details, and personal data. Cybercriminals sell this data to other malicious actors for identity theft, financial fraud, or other illicit activities.

Notably, posts offering Redline stealer logs, a popular malware family, tripled from an average of 370 per month in 2022 to 1,200 in 2023. Overall, the volume of various malware log files, containing compromised user data and freely posted on the dark web, rose by almost 30 percent in 2023, compared to the previous year.

As Kaspersky looks ahead to 2024, several trends are expected to shape the landscape of dark web market:

  • Scammers will increasingly turn to search engine advertising to promote websites embedded with malware

 

Previously reliant on phishing emails, cybercriminals now employ Google and Bing ads to ensure their landing pages – embedded with malware – receive top positions in search results. Black traffic dealers are likely to escalate their sales activities in the underground market, and Kaspersky expects a continued rise in these deceptive practices.

  • Growing demand for crypto-drainer services

Crypto drainers, a category of malicious software engineered for the swift and automated withdrawal of funds from legitimate crypto wallets to malicious actors’ wallets, are gaining momentum among crypto scammers. Kaspersky forecasts a rise in demand for this kind of crypto-stealing malware, resulting in an increased prevalence of advertisements promoting its development and sale in the underground market. The sustained interest in cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and related digital assets is expected to fuel the proliferation of these drainers.

Apart from that, experts anticipate the following tendencies:

  • The number of services providing AV evasion for malware (crypt) will increase
  • “Loader” malware services will continue to evolve
  • Bitcoin mixers and cleaning services will continue to evolve and exhibit dynamic market changes

“Cybersecurity demands a proactive stance. Monitoring dark web market activities and trends is akin to peering into the enemy’s playbook, allowing early threat detection, understanding adversary tactics, and ensures you’re several steps ahead in terms of cyber defenses. It’s not just about protection; it’s about mastering the evolving threat landscape to fortify against tomorrow’s risks and ensure the resilience of corporate security,” says Sergey Lozhkin, Principal Security Researcher, Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) at Kaspersky. 

The dark web market predictions and review are part of Kaspersky Security Bulletin (KSB) – an annual series of predictions and analytical reports on key shifts within the cybersecurity world. Follow this link to learn more.

About Kaspersky

Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection, specialized security products and services, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky technologies and we help over 220,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.

spot_img

More from this stream

Recomended

Can a New Tribunal Transform the Fight Against Russian Aggression in Ukraine?

Explore the uncertainty surrounding the potential trial of senior Russian state officials for the crime of aggression in this insightful analysis from The Converser. Discover the complexities and implications of accountability on the international stage.

“Exposing the Hidden War: How Israel Puts Nuclear Scientists in the Crosshairs of Covert Operations”

Discover how nearly 100 scientists have been killed or abducted since World War II to undermine foreign nuclear programs. Explore the significant drawbacks of this tactic as a means of countering proliferation, as highlighted by The Converser.

From ‘Chokers’ to Champions: How South Africa’s Cricket Team Defied the Odds and Made History!

Discover how South Africa's World Test Championship victory marks a remarkable 10 successive test wins. Explore the key factors contributing to their success, as analyzed by The Converser.

Is Your WhatsApp Safe? A Cybersecurity Expert Reveals How Hackers Could Breach It!

Discover how WhatsApp's privacy and security features hold up under scrutiny, with insights from The Converser highlighting vulnerabilities revealed by Israel.

Is Israel’s Stance on Iran Justified? An International Law Expert Weighs In on Legality and Self-Defense

Discover how Israel has a history of advancing a broad interpretation of self-defense, exploring the implications and context behind its strategies. Source: The Converser.

Fifty Years of Jaws: The Iconic Film That Transformed Our View of Great White Sharks Forever

Discover how the release of the Jaws movie led to significant declines in white shark populations. Learn why protecting these iconic predators is crucial for marine ecosystems, brought to you by The Converser.