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In today’s digital age, credit card information is a valuable commodity on the dark web. The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access. It is often associated with illegal activities, including the sale of stolen credit card information.
How Credit Card Information Ends Up on the Dark Web
Credit card information can end up on the dark web in a number of ways. One common method is through data breaches, where hackers gain unauthorized access to a company’s database and steal sensitive information, including credit card numbers. This information is then sold on the dark web to the highest bidder.
Another way credit card information can end up on the dark web is through phishing scams. These scams often involve fake emails or websites that trick individuals into providing their credit card information. The information is then sold on the dark web.
How Cybercriminals Sell Credit Card And VPN Data On The Dark Web
By selling drugs, they can earn substantial sums in a short span of time. Compared to working traditional jobs, where making a hundred dollars a day might take eight hours of labor, the drug game offers a more lucrative and attractive proposition. According to the Government Accountability Office, the IRS paid $5.8 billion in 2013 tax refunds where the victim’s identity was stolen. Criminal syndicates will trade skills and purloined data on the dark net to cause as much damage as possible. Informer provides an Attack Surface Management SaaS platform alongside penetration testing services.
The Risks of Dark Web Credit Card Information
Protecting Yourself From Credit Card Frauds
In addition, ongoing scanning and checks for impostors are provided by this service. When we think of the Dark Web, our first thoughts often turn to illegal marketplaces and extortion scams. While this may be true for certain elements, the Dark Web also serves as an outlet where those in need can seek support – from victims of abuse or divorce proceedings to people struggling with mental illnesses.
- As NordVPN took into account political, financial, and card data to calculate the index, European countries and the Anglosphere topped the list.
- Illegal trading posts and marketplaces are constantly being closed by law enforcement agencies.
- It’s also the latest in a growing list of criminal marketplaces to have voluntarily retired in the last six months.
- REGISTER NOW for our upcoming live webinar, How to Think Like a Threat Actor, in partnership with Uptycs.
Once credit card information is on the dark web, it can be used for a variety of illegal activities. These activities can include making fraudulent purchases, opening new accounts, and even stealing identities. In some cases, the information can be used to create counterfeit credit cards.
Staats personally earned at least $21,000 worth of Bitcoin for these services. Although the majority of people use the surface web, the deep web is by far the largest part of the internet. Estimates put the size of the deep web at about 95% of the overall worldwide web. That’s because the deep web tier consists of password or paywall-protected pages and sites that search engines can’t see and display to the public. It contains millions of pages with sensitive and private information. These may include medical documents, government intel and legal reports.
It’s important to note that even if a credit card is no longer active, the information can still be valuable on the dark web. Criminals can use the information to create new accounts or make purchases using the victim’s identity. This can result in damage to the victim’s credit score and financial reputation.
Protecting Your Credit Card Information
Our price index grew with the addition of nine payment processing services. PayPal account details are easily the most abundant items listed on the Dark Web marketplace. Brazil was affected by the theft of more than 144,000 cards, making it the second most affected country in South America and the fifth in the world. Chile suffered the theft of more than cards, Argentina almost and Peru around 14000. Some mobile phone carriers have a security feature that keeps your number from being ported to a new phone until you contact the company to disable the security. However, you may need to contact your carrier to activate the feature.
There are several steps you can take to protect your credit card information and reduce the risk of it ending up on the dark web:
In our research of the data of 1M leaked credit cards on the Dark Web, we analyzed the leaked email addresses to gain a better understanding of the risk. Now, you might be wondering why so many of these small and local businesses had Remote Desktop exposed to the internet. They said they had it open like that because their IT support team needed it open to troubleshoot issues.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all online accounts.
- Be cautious of phishing scams and never provide credit card information in response to an unsolicited email or phone call.
- Regularly monitor your credit card statements for any suspicious activity.
- Consider using a credit monitoring service to alert you of any potential breaches or fraudulent activity.
By taking these steps, you can help protect your credit card information and reduce the risk of it being sold on the dark web.
Conclusion
The dark web is a breeding ground for illegal activities, including the sale of stolen credit card information. It’s important to take steps to protect your credit card information and reduce the risk of it ending up on the dark web. By being vigilant and taking precautions, you can help keep your credit card information safe and secure.
