Digital Identities Sold for Less Than $50 on the Dark Web

According to a recent study by the cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab, digital identities can be purchased for less than $50 on the dark web. The research revealed that cybercriminals are able to sell a person’s “digital life” for a surprisingly low price. This digital life includes social media account data, banking details, remote access to servers or desktops, and even information from popular services like Uber, Netflix, Spotify, gaming platforms, dating apps, and adult websites.

On average, a single hacked account costs about one dollar. Additionally, discounts are often available for bulk purchases.

The Risks of Digital Identity Theft

Even though digital identities are sold cheaply, they are of significant interest to cybercriminals for other reasons. Victims of identity theft can suffer both financial and reputational damage, as criminals could potentially take out loans or commit crimes under someone else’s name.

Common Methods of Digital Identity Theft

The most common ways digital identities are stolen include phishing campaigns and exploiting vulnerabilities in software and applications. After a successful attack, criminals obtain data dumps containing email addresses and passwords for various services.

“Lifetime Guarantee” Offers

Some fraudsters selling user data on the dark web even offer buyers a lifetime guarantee: if one account stops working, they will provide a replacement account free of charge.

Expert Advice on Protecting Your Data

“It’s clear that data theft is a serious threat to all users, with consequences on both an individual and societal level. Fortunately, there are steps everyone can take to help prevent these problems. It’s important to use strong passwords, effective security software, and to be aware of the amount of personal information we share publicly on social networks and with various organizations,” said Sergey Lozhkin, Senior Antivirus Expert at Kaspersky Lab.