The worst is yet to come’: A new forum where less experienced hackers can learn from expert cybercriminals
Hackers work for years to be recognized as one of the elites in their field. Access to a private community where all members have had to prove their worth to gain acceptance brings a sense of belonging and recognition for what they have achieved. This brings us to CryptBB.
CryptBB is an English-language dark web cybercriminal forum that describes itself as an advanced “Cyber Security and Hacking Forum powered by LongPig and Power” (the usernames of two of the forum’s administrators). The forum has been active on the dark web since 2017 and was launched at a similar time to a multitude of other English-language private forums but it is the only one that still in existence till now. The forum is well-known to highly competent hackers, carders, and programmers across the English cybercriminal community. Since the forum’s launch in 2017, the site only accepted new members after a rigorous application and interview process, requiring that an applicant prove their skill and knowledge on a chosen area of expertise, “leaving no room for those who fail to meet the required standards”. Although exclusivity remains at the heart of these mysterious collectives, both recognize the need for up-and-coming novices looking to join their ranks so that secrets can be shared and their respective capabilities can stand the test of time.
The real surprise was in late 2019 when the CryptBB forum introduced a section for “newbies” who had failed the forum application process. This was intended as a designated safe space for users to enhance their skills, learning from one another as well as from full-time established members. CryptBB’s decision to initiate a dedicated subforum for failed forum applicants and newbies shows a genuine desire to be viewed as a platform for “all”.
CryptBB is prestigious due to its privacy, but with low activity level. Having room for less experienced hackers makes the community is more fluid, and the activity level higher. This will likely increase forum participation in the long-run and therefore establish the forum as a staple in the hacking and carding scene. This, combined with the various services currently being offered to external parties, clearly demonstrates the administration team’s desire to ensure the forum stands the test of time.
Such a forum makes our lives harder for several reasons. CryptBB has been active since 2017 and was launched at a similar time to a multitude of other English-language private forums, including Dark0de, KickAss, 0day, Codex, and Onion Land. CryptBB is the only forum on this list still in existence. Its high-level security and privacy is the main factor for its success. Less experienced hackers are going to learn new hacking tricks from each other’s and from the best experts which will lead to new sophisticated malware. Being an English-speaking forum opens the door for hackers from all around the world to learn and share expertise. New hackers who join with predefined motives will result in new attacks that target specific countries or companies that are not well-prepared yet.
