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According to recent security statistics, the number of personal data breaches andhackshas increased dramatically.
COVID-19 has ramped up remote workforces that operate off cloud-based platforms paving the way for cyber attacks.
What is the Dark Web?
Thedark webis a marketplace where vendors anonymously operate the illegal trade of goods through unofficial or unauthorized channels.
Search engines do not index the dark web.
Stolen personal information is frequently traded on the black market online.
That means the black market is thriving.
Darkweb reports statethat cybercriminals added over 22 billion new records for sale in 2020 alone on the black market.
For further illustration on how the market is thriving, heres a snapshot of a fake I.D.
And with the amount of money they can make, they are not going anywhere anytime soon.
After stealing your personal information, hackers organize it in a database that they monetize in various ways.
They can use the data themselves.
Buyers can purchase the stolen data they are interested in and use it for their malicious activities.
Buyers can also clone credit card numbers and security codes and use them for identity theft.
The buyer can, for example, apply for loans in the victims name or file false tax reports.
How Much Do My Hacked Accounts Cost?
Everything from credit cards to Netflix accounts is up for sale on the dark web.
Credit card details with an account balance up to $5,000 cost $240.
And stolen PayPal account details with a minimum of $1,000 also cost $120.
And to obtain the login information from 50 hacked PayPal accounts costs $200.
Western Union transfer from stolen accounts above $1,000 costs a mere $45.
A verified Stripe account with a payment gateway goes for $1,000.
One of the most valuable accounts on the dark web is crypto accounts.
Social Media Accounts
Social media and email accounts vary between $35 and $80.
Private USA dentists database with 122k emails goes for $50.
And the USA Voter database from various states costs $100.
Prices for forged copies of drivers licenses of different states vary between $20-$100.
A U.S. drivers license goes for $100, while an Australian drivers license only fetches $20.
Hackers ask for $8 for a hacked Uber account and $14 for a hacked Uber drivers account.
U.S. valid social security number goes for $2.
An eBay account with a high reputation (1,000+ feedback) might reach $1,000.
While a fake U.S. Green Card sells for $150.
Generic passwords such as your birth date or the name of your first pet are easy to crack.
ensure your passwords are long (at least 16 digits) varied with letters, numbers, and symbols.
Be wary of public WiFi.
Avoid accessing sensitive accounts while you are on public WiFi.
This is why hackers often target users on public WiFi to steal their login details.
Suppose cybercriminals can reach the login information of one of your online accounts.
Be careful while browsing online.
Change the default privacy parameters on your devices.
And always clear or disable your online window cookies.
You should also limit the information you share on social media.
For instance, dont use your full names on your social media accounts.
And always read the terms and conditions before using an utility or service.
