Infamous Cybercrime Hub BreachForums Reemerges on the Clear Web

The notorious cybercrime market, BreachForum, is back in action and already creating a buzz within the cyber space. People no longer need special browsers to find it.

The platform’s return marks a bold new strategy – it is now operating on the clearnet, the regular internet we all use daily. This comeback seems to be all about pulling in even more cybercriminals.

The Return of BreachForums

The forum’s administrator, “koko,” announced the revival. In a public post, Koko claimed the site is fully restored after an earlier takedown by the FBI. It was rebuilt from a recent backup. Core functions are now live and working.

Users can once again browse popular sections. These areas are dedicated to stolen data leaks. They also host discussions on ransomware and hacking tools. The site was a central hub for trading stolen information.

Koko insists the platform is “stronger than ever.” The admin promises enhanced anonymity features. These are meant to help users evade detection by law enforcement agencies. This follows a pattern of resilient comebacks.

BreachForums keeps finding ways to survive. It originally surfaced a few years back, following the shutdown of RaidForums. Since then, it has been taken offline many times and has come back more than once.

Even after U.S. authorities arrested their leader, Conor Fitzpatrick or “Pompompurin,” in 2023, the forum persisted and found new leadership.

Users Skeptical About the BreachForum Comeback

The reopening is not without major controversy — significant doubts cloud its return. The forum’s previous escrow service was compromised. This system handled cryptocurrency for illegal deals.

The hack led to substantial financial losses. Both vendors and buyers on the platform were affected. Koko addressed this issue directly in the announcements.

The team is rebuilding the escrow service from scratch. Now, the forum claims it’s learned a thing or two. The people running it are promising better security. These include improved encryption protocols.

Multi-signature wallets are also planned. This would require multiple keys to authorize a transaction. They want to ensure one bad move doesn’t bring down the entire operation or lead to future thefts.

However, trust is still in short supply. Many veteran users are deeply suspicious. They worry this new iteration is a honeypot. Some users are convinced this is a setup.

“It’s too clean, too quick,” one person said, not bothering to hide their doubts. This sentiment is echoed across other shady forums. The fear is that agencies like the FBI are monitoring all activity. They could be collecting data to build criminal cases.

The Clear Net Gamble

Switching to a clearnet domain is a bold move. You don’t have to be a tech expert to get in; no need to use Tor. Anyone can access it, so there are more eyes on new leaks and threats — but there are also more cybercriminals and stolen data.

This could potentially increase its user base and activity. But this convenience comes with a heavy price. Clearnet sites are far easier for authorities to track and monitor.

Investigators can subpoena hosting providers for data. They can also analyze server logs for IP addresses. Cybersecurity firms like Recorded Future have issued alerts. They warn that the clearnet presence makes the forum riskier for its users.

The return of BreachForums is a double-edged sword. To security researchers, it’s a goldmine of intel — they can watch for fresh threats and spot new data leaks. At the same time, however, the forum offers cybercriminals the opportunity to exchange stolen data and develop additional schemes.

Where does that leave BreachForums? Nobody really knows. Going public might be the thing that finally brings it down for good. Are you planning on going over there? Just be careful that place attracts criminals and cops like moths are drawn to a flame, so it can be dangerous to go in.