New Study Finds Your Data is Worth Up to $1,010 on the Dark Web

The user data is a commodity that is regularly traded on the dark web...

Dark Web

A recent study has revealed just how cheap personal information is these days in dark web marketplaces; therefore, digital encryption should be on everyone’s mind these days if they want to safeguard their data.

The advice has been issued by Miklos Zoltan, the CEO and Founder of cybersecurity and data privacy specialist Privacy Affairs, based on a review of the Dark Web by their experts.

Their Dark Web Price Index 2022 uses data that is obtained by scanning dark web marketplaces, forums, and websites — showing that criminals could acquire credit card details and online banking login information for as little as $50.

Specifically, here’s how much the stolen data is worth these days:

  • Credit card details and associated information: $17 – $120
  • Online banking login information: $65
  • Hacked Facebook account: $45
  • Cloned VISA with PIN: $20
  • Stolen PayPal account details with minimum $1000 balances: $20
  • A full range of documents and account details allowing identity theft: $1,010

As you can see, fraudsters can buy credit card details — including CVV number, card number, and associated dates — enabling them to spend your money like it’s nobody’s business.

The study took a special note on cryptocurrency accounts, saying that for less than $250 – a scammer can acquire digital wallets on platforms such as LocalBitcoins and Coinbase.

What’s even more concerning is the sheer volume of sales being shifted on the Dark Web, underpinning the call for more and better safeguards for online personal information.

More than 9,000 vendors are selling fake IDs and credit cards in their thousands; further, more bogus credit card data, personal information, and documents were sold in 2022 than in 2021. August 2022 alone saw 4.5 million credit cards up for sale.

Privacy Affairs says the average rate for a cloned VISA with a PIN was $20, while hacked web and entertainment services, from Uber to Netflix, ranged up to $40.

“The digital world provides greater opportunities for hackers, scammers and fraudsters to take advantage of lax personal security online,” Miklos Zoltan said. “The sheer volume of sales on the Dark Web and how cheap information should be a major concern. Everyone should be taking more precautions to protect their digital footprint.”

Miklos Zoltan worked with international teams for more than a decade on projects involving penetration testing, network security and cryptography. He founded Privacy Affairs in 2018 to provide cybersecurity and data privacy education to regular audiences by translating tech-heavy topics into easy-to-understand guides and tutorials.