The dark web is a part of the Internet where criminal activities happen. The Internet as we know it is not the only part of it. Certain websites can only be accessed through specific software, and these websites are usually a part of the dark web. Even though Internet users might be aware of the existence of the dark web, they are heavily unaware of how dangerous the dealings on the dark web can be.
ExpressVPN reveals that cyber criminals sell a lot of personal user data on the dark web to profit from stolen information. This information can consist of financial and login information to certain streaming services. Surprisingly Internet users are not educated about the value of personal information and how it can be used for identity theft and online scams.
Price Of Information On The Dark Web
Despite the users on the Internet being very aware of protecting their personal information, they do not know why they have to do it. Well, users need to understand the worth of personal information and why it can be profitable for cybercriminals. Surprisingly, financial information is one of many profitable pieces on the dark web. It also includes contact information, identification papers, social media login information, and even streaming accounts. So, let’s find out how much your info is worth.
Why Is Personal Information Profitable
Usually, cybercriminals attack unprotected devices on the Internet to gain access to personal information. This information can vary depending on the device that is compromised. The data stolen by hackers with the help of data breaches can be profitable to them. Users still need to learn what happens after their device data is breached and how it can be profitable to hackers.
The price of Identification cards and credit cards is the highest on the dark web. Additionally, even smaller information like Netflix login information or social media login details of users is sold for at least 10 dollars. The location also determines the price of users’ information. For example, Asia-based credit cards are sold for almost $40, while European credit cards are worth around $20.
There is no way to stop the dealings happening on these websites. Additionally, not everyone can get access to dark web websites as certain software specifications are needed. Not only that, most of the people who deal with the dark web are very good at hiding their identities. So to stop your data from being sold, you must learn to protect your personal information online.
How To Protect Personal Information Online
Internet users must understand that their data is always at risk of breach. To avoid such things, taking precautionary measures is better to prevent your data from being stolen easily.
Remember that if you receive calls from certain organizations claiming to require your passwords or credit card numbers, you should be wary of them. No reputable organization will hire employees to seek out this information from clients, as the information is available to them in their database. It is best not to share any personal information with anyone, no matter who they claim to be.
The best practice to avoid your information being compromised is to create passwords unrelated to your personal life. Additionally, it is best to use a well-protected password manager to have different passwords without remembering them. Having the same password everywhere can also be problematic for your accounts.
Conclusion
The dark web is a dangerous space as it handles in dealing with sensitive personal information. Most users have yet to learn that their personal data can easily be sold on the dark web for hundreds of dollars. That is why Internet users need to learn ways to protect their personal information online. If your data is secure from cyber criminals, then you will not have to face issues related to your data being stolen.
