In the digital age we live in today, the rise of cybercrime has become an undeniable reality. The dark web has become a breeding ground for illegal activities and cybercriminals seeking to profit from stolen or hacked account information. As the world transitioned into a digital ecosystem, hackers have followed, expanding their field and taking advantage of vulnerable internet users. With this in mind, it's essential to understand how much your hacked accounts are worth on the dark web and learn how to protect yourself from such threats.

Understanding the Dark Web:

The dark web describes a part of the internet that hides your identity and location. It is not easily found or searched for and requires special software to access. By using a special browser, users can access websites that operate beneath the surface of indexed search engines. Additionally, the dark web is an unregulated marketplace that hosts anonymous websites and facilitates illegal activities, making it difficult for authorities to shut down. Despite collective efforts to remove perpetrators, new traders continually emerge to replace deactivated ones.

Price Tags on Hacked Accounts:

You might be surprised to learn how varied the costs of different hacked account types on the dark web are. Here's what you can expect:

Financial Accounts:

According to Privacy Affairs' Dark Web Price Index 2021, criminals can easily profit from hacked credit cards. Stolen cards with balances up to $5,000 only cost a cybercriminal $240. Cloned credit cards go for around $30 each, while transfers exceeding $3,000 from PayPal accounts come with a $180 price tag. Login details for 50 hacked PayPal accounts sell for approximately $200. Crypto accounts are among the most valuable on the dark web. Verified Coinbase and Binance accounts fetch prices of $610 and $410.

Social Media Accounts:

Hacked social media accounts are relatively inexpensive on the dark web—typically ranging between $30 and $80. A hacked Twitter account cost $35, Instagram cost $45, Facebook cost $65 and Gmail cost $80. You can purchase 1,000 followers for your Spotify account for just $2, for LinkedIn this cost $12, for Instagram this cost $6 and for Twitch this cost $12. 1000 Instagram likes costs $11 and for Facebook this costs $8.

Forged Documents:

Passports are among the more costly items listed on the Dark Web Price Index. Physical passports start at $1,500, making them some of the most valuable commodities for cybercriminals to trade. These hacked accounts can be utilized for a multitude of purposes, including spreading misinformation, launching phishing attacks, engaging in cyberbullying, accessibility to sensitive information, and the ability to make fraudulent purchases.

Protecting Your Online Identity

In the face of this threat, safeguarding your online identity has never been more critical. Here are a few recommended steps to protect yourself from falling victim to account hacking:‌

1. Use Strong and Unique Passwords: Use complex, unique passwords for each online account, employing a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.

2. Two-Factor Authentication: Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible to provide an additional layer of security to your accounts.

3. Be wary of public Wi-Fi Avoid checking sensitive accounts.

4. Familiarize yourself with phishing scams.

5. Regular Account Monitoring: Keep a close eye on your online accounts for any suspicious activities and report any unauthorized access immediately.

6. Stay Updated with Security Software to ensure maximum efficiency.

7. Stay Informed: Educate yourself about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices to stay one step ahead of potential attackers.

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Social Media Marketing Manager - Cybereve Technologies

Gemma Mills

Stay Informed and Secure: