Overall, in 2025, resumes outnumber vacancies 55 per cent to 45 per cent, driven by global layoffs and an influx of younger candidates. | Photo Credit: thomaguery
Emerging Dark Web Job Market
As the tech sector experiences significant layoffs, an unexpected trend has surfaced. The dark web is becoming a surprising recruitment ground for cybercriminals searching for talent, particularly among those impacted by job cuts or recent graduates struggling to enter the traditional workforce. Companies operating in shady corners of the internet are actively advertising for roles designed to further their illicit activities.
Flexible Opportunities Offered
The appealing aspect for job seekers in these clandestine roles is the flexibility they promise. Current offerings include remote positions (approximately 45% of job listings), full-time roles (34%), and adjustable hours (33%). Some nefarious employers are also providing traditional perks such as paid vacation and sick leave. This recruitment strategy is indicative of a shift in the job market, where even the dark side is targeting a workforce looking for adaptable employment options.
Rising Demand and Statistics
Statistics from Kaspersky reveal a staggering increase in activity within this underground job market. Comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the same period in 2023, there was a two-fold rise in both resumes submitted and job postings. This upward trend continued into the first quarter of 2025, highlighting a growing acceptance of the dark web as a viable employment option for some individuals. However, this path comes with significant risks, as not many realize that engaging in cybercriminal activities can lead to severe legal repercussions.
Demographics of Candidates
In 2025, the job landscape tells an interesting story: resumes exceed job vacancies by a margin of 55% to 45%. This imbalance has largely resulted from extensive layoffs and an influx of younger candidates into the job market. The median age of job seekers stands at just 24, with many candidates still in their teenage years.
Compensation Trends
When it comes to pay, the reported median monthly salary for developers in this shadow market is around $2,000. However, outliers are common, with some individuals earning as much as $20,000 per month. Notably, positions specifically for reverse engineers attract higher median salaries of $4,000, whereas the lowest-advertised salaries hover around $200. Such disparities can be indicative of the varying skill levels and risks involved in different cyber roles.
Role Distribution
Job demand highlights a clear trend: developers lead with a notable 61% representation in job postings, followed by attackers at 16%, designers at 10%, IT administrators at 6%, and reverse engineers at 4%. This distribution reflects the diverse skill sets that cybercriminals seek to carry out a range of operations from software development to infrastructure management.
The Scope of Job-Related Ads
During a comprehensive analysis spanning over two years, around 200,000 job-related advertisements were recorded on dark web forums. Notably, hacker teams and Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups stand out as primary employers, often in search of talent proficient in malware development, as well as those skilled in constructing and maintaining IT infrastructures.
This evolving scenario unveils the dark web as a complex job market, attracting not only those with the right skill sets but also vulnerable individuals seeking employment in a challenging economic climate. The intertwining of desperation and opportunity raises alarms about the genuine risks involved in such pathways.
