Top Dark Web & Leak Forums in 2026 (Breach & Deep Web Forums)
A guide to the top dark web and leak forums in 2026 (BreachForums, XSS.is, LeakBase, Exploit.in and more), where breached data and credentials are traded, and how security teams monitor them.
The dark web and deep web remain some of the most mysterious corners of the internet. While the deep web simply refers to non-indexed sites (like academic databases or private records), the dark web is an intentionally hidden network, accessible through tools like Tor or I2P.
Dark web forums still sit at the center of cybercrime, from ransomware coordination to stolen data sales. Law enforcement has seized several of the largest ones since 2022, including RaidForums, Cracked, Nulled and LeakBase, and new forums keep appearing to replace them.
This guide is written for defenders. It covers the top dark web and deep web forums, what each one is known for trading, whether it was still online when we checked in October 2026, and what your security team should watch for there.
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. Unlike casual social platforms, these forums are tightly focused on cybercrime collaboration, offering anonymity, escrow services, and access to high-value digital contraband. If you are tracking leaked data about your own organization, these forums are often where it surfaces first.
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.
Below are the 15 dark web forums that come up most often in breach investigations, with their status as of October 2026. Several have been seized, and we say so with a source for each.
Forum Status at a Glance (checked October 2026)
Forum
Status
Source
XSS.is
Clearweb domain seized July 2025; .onion version still reported after the arrest
Leak Forums and Leak Sites: Where Breached Data Surfaces
Many of the most active dark web forums are better described as leak forums or leak sites: communities whose main purpose is publishing and trading stolen databases. When a company is breached, the data is very often posted on a leak forum such as BreachForums or LeakBase (both since seized) before it appears anywhere else, which is why security teams treat the best leak sites as an early-warning source. Forums like XSS.is, Exploit.in and Dread also host sections dedicated to fresh leaked databases, credentials and combolists.
Because these leak forums are seized and rebuilt constantly, no list stays current for long. The value is in monitoring them continuously, not memorising names.
Top 15 Dark Web Forums and Deep Web Forums
XSS.is
XSS is one of the oldest Russian-language hacking forums, dating back to the early 2000s. It is known as a marketplace for exploits, malware kits, and ransomware partnerships.
A hub for stolen credentials and compromised network access.
Attracts some of the biggest ransomware gangs.
Law enforcement update: On 22 July 2025, Ukrainian police, working with French investigators and Europol, arrested the suspected administrator in Kyiv, and the clearweb domain was seized (Europol). The .onion version came back within days, but many members distrust its new moderators and moved to a newer forum called DamageLib (KELA).
Status (October 2026): Clearweb domain seized in July 2025. The .onion version was still reported online after the arrest, with much lower trust.
Breach Forum
The direct successor to RaidForums, BreachForums became one of the largest database leak forums after 2022.
Key Features:
Trading and selling of stolen databases.
Doxxing services and hacking tutorials.
Popular among data brokers and ransomware affiliates.
Law Enforcement History:
FBI takedowns in 2023 and 2024.
Admin “Pompompurin” arrested in 2023.
Law enforcement update:
Went offline in April 2025; its operators blamed a MyBB exploit.
In June 2025, French police arrested four suspects linked to the forum, including the user known as ShinyHunters (Bitdefender).
In October 2025, the FBI and French authorities seized the breachforums.hn domain, which was being used to extort victims of the Salesforce data thefts (Bitdefender).
Status (October 2026): Seized repeatedly, most recently in October 2025. Sites that claim to be BreachForums keep appearing under new domains; treat them as untrusted and possibly run by scammers or investigators.
Nulled.io
Launched in 2015, Nulled became one of the most visited cybercrime forums, appealing to both beginners and seasoned hackers.
Key Features:
Selling and trading of cracked accounts (Netflix, Spotify, gaming).
Tutorials for cyber fraud, spamming, and phishing.
Huge library of leaked databases and premium software cracks.
Notable Incident: In 2016, Nulled itself was hacked, leaking the private data of thousands of members and showing how even cybercriminals can be victims.
Law enforcement update: Between 28 and 30 January 2025, an operation led by German authorities with Europol support seized Nulled in Operation Talent (Europol).
Status (October 2026): Offline since January 2025 (seized).
Cracked.io
Overview: Cracked was similar to Nulled but leaned more heavily on gaming and piracy communities.
Key Features:
Distribution of game cheats, cracks, and pirated content.
Marketplace for hacked accounts.
Community for script kiddies and novice hackers.
Law enforcement update: Seized in Operation Talent in January 2025, alongside Nulled (Europol).
Status (October 2026): Offline since January 2025 (seized with Nulled).
Dread
Overview: Often described as the “Reddit of the Dark Web”, Dread is a structured forum hosted on Tor.
Key Features:
Uses “subdreads” (similar to Reddit’s subreddits).
Focus on darknet market reviews and scam prevention.
Home to harm reduction advice (e.g., safer substance use).
Vital hub for cybercrime communities displaced from closed markets.
Admins: Pseudonymous users “Paris” and “HugBunter.”
Status (October 2026): Active, with long outages caused by DDoS attacks (Wikipedia). Defenders watch it for market scam reports and discussion of new leaks.
CryptBB
Overview: An elite hacker forum designed with encryption-first principles.
Key Features:
Uses AES-256 CTR and RSA-based encryption.
Forums focus on exploit development, botnets, and malware kits.
Invitation-only membership for advanced hackers.
Community: Known for being extremely secure and resistant to infiltration.
Status (October 2026): Listed as active in 2026 vendor reviews (Cyble). Membership is invite-only, so we could not confirm this independently.
LeakBase
Created in 2023, LeakBase quickly rose as an alternative to BreachForums.
Key Features:
Specializes in breach data trading.
Frequently first to publish fresh database leaks.
Popular among data brokers and low-level hackers.
Growth: Gained traction after BreachForums’ repeated shutdowns.
Status: Seized. On 3 and 4 March 2026, the FBI and partners in 14 countries took LeakBase down in Operation Leak, secured data on its roughly 142,000 members and carried out arrests (US Justice Department). Copies of the databases it hosted still circulate elsewhere.
Altenen
A fraud-focused forum, Altenen is well-known for financial cybercrime.
Key Features:
Credit card dumps and carding tutorials.
Selling fake IDs, passports, and SSNs.
Popular with fraudsters and identity thieves.
Law enforcement history: Israeli police arrested the alleged operator in April 2018 (CTech). New admins later revived the forum.
Status (October 2026): Listed as active in 2026 vendor reviews (Cyble).
Exploit.in
One of the oldest Russian-language hacking forums, active since 2005.
Key Features:
Marketplace for exploits and malware kits.
Reputation for zero-day trading.
Large, experienced community of hackers.
Status (October 2026): Active, with no seizure reported. Its traffic rose by almost 24% after the XSS arrest as members moved over (KELA).
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.
Status (October 2026): Not independently verified. We found no public seizure report and no reliable source confirming that it is still online.
The Hub
Unlike purely criminal forums, The Hub positions itself as a community resource for darknet users.
Key Features:
Market reviews to prevent scams.
Cryptocurrency security discussions.
Harm reduction advice from figures like “DoctorX.”
Role: Considered one of the few forums promoting safety and harm reduction in darknet culture.
Status (October 2026): Unclear. The Hub launched in January 2014 (Wikipedia), and we found no reliable recent report confirming that it is still online.
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.
Status (October 2026): No law enforcement seizure has been reported. Not independently verified.
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 Sleepless Night is increasingly referenced in hacker forum lists and best leak site trackers targeting the Asia-Pacific threat landscape.
Status (October 2026): Not independently verified. We found no public seizure report.
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.
Status (October 2026): Listed as active in 2026 vendor reviews (Cyble). No seizure has been reported.
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.
Status: Seized. The US Justice Department announced the seizure on 12 April 2022 and charged its alleged founder (CyberScoop).
What Defenders Should Watch for on These Forums
You do not need to browse these forums to use them as an early warning. These are the signals a security team should look for, through a monitoring service or an analyst working from an isolated environment:
Your company domain, product names or executive names in thread titles and sale listings.
Employee email addresses inside combolists or infostealer log dumps. These usually point to a specific infected device.
Network access sales that describe a victim by country, sector and revenue without naming it. Check whether the description fits your company.
Database samples that contain your table names, customer ID formats or internal hostnames.
Posts that recruit insiders at your company or in your sector.
If you find a match, reset the exposed credentials, check the device that leaked them, keep a copy of the post as evidence before it disappears, and bring in legal and incident response before anyone contacts the seller.
Leaks, Breaches, and Threat Intelligence from the Dark Web
The dark web is not only a place for communication but also the main source of leak forums and breach data. Threat actors frequently publish stolen credentials, credit card information, and sensitive business data, which can later fuel larger cyberattacks.
For businesses, keeping track of these leaks is critical. Dark web monitoring and threat intelligence solutions help detect when confidential information surfaces in underground networks. By analyzing conversations in deep web and dark web forums, security teams can identify risks early and take preventive measures.
Whether it’s a small data breach or a large-scale leak, every incident contributes to the evolving cybercrime ecosystem, making dark web intelligence a necessary part of modern cybersecurity defense.
Monitoring Dark Web and Leak Forums for Threat Intelligence
Manually tracking dark web and leak forums does not scale. Forums like BreachForums are seized and reborn under new names within weeks, and a leaked database can spread across several leak sites in hours. TIKAJ’s Dark Web Monitoring continuously watches dark web forums, leak sites, marketplaces and Telegram channels, matches breached records to your domains, brands and executives, and delivers verified alerts so you can respond before the data is weaponised. For the wider ecosystem, see our guides to dark web search engines, dark web marketplaces and dark web browsers.
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.
FAQs
Are all dark web forums illegal?
No. Some support privacy, journalism, and activism, but many focus on illicit activities.
What’s the difference between the deep web and the dark web?
Deep web = Non-indexed content like academic databases. Dark web = Hidden sites accessible only with Tor/I2P.
Is browsing dark web forums illegal?
Not necessarily. Participation in illegal activity (buying/selling drugs, data, weapons) is criminal.
Which dark web forums are still active as of October 2026?
Dread and Exploit.in are the largest forums still reported online. LeakBase was seized in March 2026, Cracked and Nulled in January 2025, and RaidForums in 2022. BreachForums has been seized several times and its name is now used by copycat sites.
How does law enforcement monitor these forums?
Authorities use infiltration, OPSEC mistakes, and technical exploits to track and dismantle them.
What replaced BreachForums?
LeakBase filled much of the gap until it was seized in March 2026. Since then no single forum has matched BreachForums’ scale, and leaked databases are spread across copycat sites and smaller forums.
