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These days, a growing number of young tech workers are heading to the dark web to find jobs.
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It’s crowded out there—way more people want in than there are gigs to go around.
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People working in the dark web earn pretty well – some pull in more than $5,000 a month.
The legitimate tech job market is getting tough as companies globally continue to lay off workers. New research shows a surprising shift is happening.
Skilled young workers are now looking for work on the dark web. This risky move highlights a growing problem in the tech industry.
A Lucrative But Risky Shift
Global layoffs and a high cost of living are pushing young people. Many are tech graduates who cannot find legitimate work. Their median age is just 24. These youngsters are being forced to use their skills against the cybersecurity industry.
Kaspersky’s research reveals a crowded dark web job market. Applicants actually outnumber job listings. The ratio is 55 to 45. A huge 69% of candidates are open to any field. This creates fierce competition for every role.
If you do land a job, the payoff can be pretty great. Reverse engineers pull in about $5,000 a month. Penetration testers aren’t far behind, making around $4,000. Developers usually see about $2,000 each month.
Alexandra Fedosimova, a Digital Footprint Analyst at Kaspersky, commented. She said, “The shadow job market is no longer peripheral.” She noted it absorbs the unemployed and the overqualified. Many think the dark web rewards skills over diplomas. They are attracted by fast offers and no HR interviews. But few realize it can lead to prison.
Why the Legal Market is Losing Talent
The traditional tech industry is stalling. AI (Artificial Intelligence) keeps eliminating positions across different sectors. Junior roles have been cut in half in recent years. But for folks just out of school, getting that first job is tough. Experts predict this job cut to worsen over time.
And honestly, employers have their own headaches to deal with. They admit that candidates are now faking identities with AI. Hiring the wrong person can cost a company thousands. With the job market so rough, even experienced workers start looking elsewhere.
Organizations are saving money short term. They replace junior roles with AI tools. But this strategy has a dangerous long-term cost. It pushes young talent toward the dark web.
The deck is being stacked against future cybersecurity defenders. In ten years, senior developers will retire. The industry may find its next generation was nurtured on the dark web. This creates a serious future threat for everyone.
A Booming Market for Stolen Data
This trend aligns with a boom in dark web activity, especially across growing popular dark web markets, where stolen data and illegal services are openly traded. Here’s something wild: according to a recent Data Breach Observatory report, hackers leaked over 300 million private records in 2025. We’re talking passwords, addresses, even medical info.
This stolen data fuels the dark web economy. It creates a need for the skills these young tech workers offer. Cybercriminals are increasingly organized. They exploit unpatched systems and weak security.
Major breaches at companies like Qantas and Orange Romania made headlines. But small businesses are the real targets. They account for over 70% of known breaches. Their limited security budgets make them easy prey.
A Call for Proactive Defense
The situation seems dire. Still, experts say businesses aren’t stuck. Step one? Pay attention. Companies really have to stay sharp. Watching the dark web helps them catch leaked data before someone uses it against them.
Seriously, if you’re not using multi-factor authentication yet, you’re taking a big risk. It’s a top way to keep your info secure. Also, keep those software updates coming!
Building a strong security culture is key. It helps protect against the very threats these dark web workers create. The fight for cybersecurity talent is now a fight for its soul.
Ultimately, the choice is becoming stark: we can either invest in nurturing the next generation of tech talent within our own teams, or we will inevitably end up fighting against them on the dark web. The skills are the same; it’s the opportunity we provide that makes the difference.
