The Dark Web ensures your anonymity online, but it’s also a hunting ground for hackers who want to steal your identity. How much would your details go for?
The Dark Web isn’t a grim fairy tale about an ominous spider.
Rather, it’s an aspect of the Internet where encryptions keep identity and user behaviour completely hidden.
Furthermore, it ensures anonymity for any user.
Thus, as a resource, people can use its power for both good and evil.
Its positive applications include hiding user identity in countries where people can be mistreated by governments for their online activity.
However, anyone involved in crime holds anonymity at a premium.
As such, illegal activity is an obvious aspect of the Dark Web.
Yet, how does that criminal activity affect you?
The Dark Web for dark business
A recent report from online security provider Keeper, shows how hackers make money from standard Internet users.
Through the Dark Web they can access account information from major online vendors, and then sell that data for money.
In particular, stolen identities are a hot commodity.
Alarmingly, hackers target all online users, including children.
In fact, they are 35 times more likely to harvest children’s identities, than adults.
However, different types of information come at different costs.
The most lucrative of personal details are medical records. A complete medical record can go for as much as £800.
Credit cards details rank as the next most valuable commodities, with some worth £17.60.
Drivers licenses are prized, and worth £16.
Thus, stolen identities are lucrative resources on the Dark Web. So much so, that in 2016 someone’s personal information was stolen an eye-popping every two seconds.
Additionally, hackers also break into accounts such as Spotify, Hulu, Netflix, and Paypal. These are worth between £0.80 and £2.20.
Lastly, your average hacker can make up to £32.60 per hour.
However, you can take some common sense and fairly simple measures to protect yourself from hackers.
The most immediate idea is to never use the same password more than once.
While most apps use ecrypted messaging, such as Whatsapp, you can also use a virtual private network to ensure that no one is spying on you.
Putting a passcode on your phone is also a great protective measure.
Lastly, two-step verification for online accounts is also an excellent idea.
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