Personal data worth US$1,000 on the dark web – study

An individual’s personal information can be worth more than US$1,000 on the dark web amid a spike in cyber crime and identity fraud, according to a new study by cybersecurity researcher Privacy Affairs.

Privacy Affairs’ Dark Web Price Index study, which gathered data from dark web marketplaces, forums and websites, found that online banking credentials, credit card information, and social media credentials can be purchased online for shockingly low prices:

• Online banking login information costs an average of US$100
• Full credit card details and associated data cost between US$10 and US$100
• A full range of documents and account information that will allow identity theft can be purchased for about US$1,000

The study said that stolen credit card details are usually formatted as a simple code that includes the card number, expiration dates and CVV, as well as account-holder data like address, email address and phone number.

For about $1,000, criminals can get their hands on enough documentation to successfully steal a person’s identity, including:

• Stolen online banking logins with a minimum of US$100 in the account: US$150
• High-quality US driver’s licence: US$500
• Hacked Facebook account: US$25
• Stolen credit card information: US$110
• High-quality US identification card: US$200

Forged documents like driver’s licences, passports and insurance cards can be ordered to match stolen information, Privacy Affairs said.

Criminals can switch the US identification to a European passport for an additional US$3,000, Privacy Affairs said.

“If someone gets their hands on your financial details or social media credentials, the prices mentioned above are basically what it’s worth to them,” said Miklos Zoltan, security researcher at Privacy Affairs.
There’s a good chance that you value these things much more than they do, as to them you’re just another mark for a quick buck.”

Have something to say about this story? Let us know in the comments below.