There are constantly articles all over the internet outlining the width and breadth of various data breaches, some of which have seen hackers make off with tens or even hundreds of millions of consumer records containing a variety of sensitive information. However, the question that seldom gets asked is what is being done with this information.
The short answer is that most of the time, it’s being resold. Hackers who steal people’s identities tend to be a different group than the ones who breach major systems to steal the data in the first place.
The information is typically sold on the web’s dark underbelly, commonly known by the less-than-imaginative name “The Dark Web.” The easiest way to access the Dark Web is by downloading the TOR browser and poking around. BUT be warned; you might not like what you find. You’ll see websites casually selling drugs, assassinations, and, yes, even your personal information. You’ll be amazed at the staggering variety that is available.
So, how much are you worth to a hacker?
There’s no simple answer to that question. Depending on various factors, credit card information typically sells for between $5 and $30 per record. The value of your bank account login credentials depends on your average balance and can range from a low of $190 (for an account with an average balance of $2200) to around $900 for an account with an average balance of $16,000.
Those numbers might not sound all that impressive at first glance, but bear in mind, when hackers breach a system, they don’t just make off with one or even a few records. Instead, they steal as many as they can, and those numbers can easily run into hundreds or thousands of customer records (millions if you include large breaches like Yahoo, Target, or Marriot). Multiply that out, and you’ll see how much money the hackers are making.
The bottom line is that you’re more valuable than you realize. Guard your information carefully.
Curious to find out if your email address or cell number has been stolen or compromised? Enter it here: Have I Been Pwned.
If your data has been compromised, cybercriminals may have used it to attempt to access your systems. Be sure to get in touch with a cybersecurity specialist immediately. Contact us here, and request a FREE assessment of your network. We can help.
