Your personal information might be for sale right now, and you don’t even know it. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet where cybercriminals buy and sell stolen data. This can include everything from email addresses to credit card numbers.
Even if you’re careful online, your information could end up there through data breaches at companies you use. In this blog, I’ll explain what kind of personal data is commonly found on the dark web. I’ll also share how this information gets there and what it means for your privacy.
Email Addresses and Passwords
Your email address is often the first thing hackers try to get. They can use it to access your other accounts or send you fake emails. Passwords are also very valuable, especially if you use the same one for multiple sites. Hackers can find these through data breaches or by guessing common passwords.
Social Security Numbers
This is one of the most dangerous pieces of information to have stolen. Criminals can use your Social Security number to open credit cards, get loans, or even file fake tax returns in your name. Once it’s on the dark web, it can be sold many times to different criminals.
Credit Card Information
Credit card numbers, expiration dates, and security codes are hot items on the dark web. Thieves can use this info to make purchases or create fake cards. They often get this data from hacked online stores or by using skimmers on ATMs and gas pumps.
Home Addresses
Your home address might seem less important, but it’s still valuable to criminals. They can use it for identity theft or to plan real-world crimes. This information often comes from public records or from online accounts you’ve created.
Phone Numbers
Phone numbers are used for more than just calls these days. They’re often linked to important accounts and can be used for two-factor authentication. Criminals can use your phone number for scams or to try to hack your accounts.
Medical Records
Your medical history can be a gold mine for criminals on the dark web. They can use this information for insurance fraud or to blackmail people with sensitive conditions. Hackers often get this data by breaking into hospital or insurance company databases.
Driver’s License Information
Details from your driver’s license can be used to create fake IDs or pass identity checks. This information is sometimes stolen from government databases or from places that require ID copies, like car rental companies. Criminals can use it to open accounts in your name or even avoid arrest.
Bank Account Numbers
Your bank account details are prime targets for cybercriminals. With this information, they can try to transfer money out of your account or set up fake direct debits. These numbers are often stolen through phishing scams or malware on your devices.
Social Media Profiles
Even if your social media is set to private, hackers can find ways to access and sell your data. This includes your posts, photos, and friend lists. They can use this information for targeted scams or to answer security questions on your other accounts.
Usernames and Passwords for Online Shopping Sites
Your accounts on shopping websites are valuable because they often contain your address and payment information. Hackers can use these to make purchases or sell the account access to others. These details are usually stolen through data breaches at the companies themselves.
Biometric Data
As more devices use fingerprints or face scans, this data is becoming a target. While it’s harder to steal, once biometric data is compromised, it can’t be changed like a password. This information is sometimes taken from hacked smartphones or security systems.
Children’s Information
Surprisingly, children’s data is very valuable on the dark web. Criminals can use it to create fake identities or commit fraud that may go unnoticed for years. This data often comes from hacked school systems or children’s websites and apps.
Employment History
Your work history, including past employers and job titles, can be found on the dark web. Criminals use this information to create convincing fake resumes or to impersonate you in job-related scams. This data is often harvested from professional networking sites or stolen from HR databases of companies you’ve worked for.
Geolocation Data
Your movement patterns and frequently visited locations are valuable to criminals. They can use this data for targeted ads, stalking, or planning physical crimes. This information is often collected through hacked smartphone apps or stolen from companies that track location data.
Digital Signatures
Your digital signature, used for signing important documents online, can be a prime target. If stolen, it can be used to forge contracts or official documents in your name. These signatures are sometimes obtained through sophisticated phishing attacks or by hacking into e-signing platforms.
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