Weekly Cybersecurity Recap February 16
Understanding the Dark Web Credit Card Market
The Threatpost editorial team does not participate in the writing or editing of Sponsored Content. 2.5 million people were affected, in a breach that could spell more trouble down the line. REGISTER NOW for our upcoming live webinar, How to Think Like a Threat Actor, in partnership with Uptycs.
The detective ran a report on the credit cards in the text file and the report showed that within a day or two of the cards being stolen they already had fraudulent charges on them from around the world. This meant that whoever stole these cards had a way to move them quick. About the same time, the warrant for those yahoo e-mails completed and Detective Dunn got a copy of the inbox for the addresses used to register Bulba.cc and Track2.name. See, the FBI and Secret Service can request from Yahoo to view e-mails for certain people if a warrant is processed. Then it’ll be reviewed by Yahoo and they’ll supply the e-mails to the feds and they won’t even tip off the user, either. But getting a warrant and access to e-mails takes a while to process so the detective had to just sit there and wait for it to be ready.
The dark web credit card market is a hidden ecosystem within the larger internet that operates outside the reach of conventional search engines. This marketplace offers illicit goods and services, including stolen credit card information, which is traded and sold among cybercriminals.
This form of identity theft is particularly dangerous as a fraudster can use account information to apply for new credit, take out fraudulent loans, and collect personal data. More bogus credit card data, personal information, and documents were sold in 2021 compared to 2020, while products, like hacked cryptocurrency accounts and web services such as Uber, are more available. In the past year, the dark web data market grew larger in total volume and product variety, so as supply grew, most prices plummeted, according to Zoltan. The review revealed sales volumes on the dark web data market in 2021 was way up. More than 9,000 active vendors selling fake IDs and credit cards reported sales in the several thousands.
This week, the cybersecurity environment continued to be rocked by the global MOVEit data breach. Various Stanford Health groups had information taken in the MOVEit event, up to 1.6 million patient records. This week caps off our year of cyber breaches; in this week alone, we saw millions of records stolen, targeted health providers, mortgage servicers crumble, and the return of a year-old breach. Navvis & Company is a comprehensive healthcare network throughout the US, including Hawaii. They offer scalable healthcare services that push patients towards their health and wellness goals while supporting providers’ roles to achieve those milestones.
What is the Dark Web?
In this blog, we take a deep dive into how credit card information is stolen and how you can protect yourself. Cybercriminals can easily intercept your internet traffic on public WiFi without a VPN. It is recommended to use a VPN always when using a public WiFi network to ensure your online privacy and security. Six databases that were owned by Friend Finder Networks, Inc. suffered a massive data breach in 2016, which cost 412 million users their accounts.
The dark web is a part of the internet that requires special software, such as Tor, to access. It is known for its anonymity and lack of regulation, making it a breeding ground for illegal activities. Here are some characteristics:
Fullz that come with a driver’s license number, bank account statement, or utility bill will be worth more than those without, for example. These bundles of personal info are called “fullz“, short for “full credentials.” So instead of looking at the prices of SSNs on their own, Comparitech researchers analyzed the prices of fullz. If you switched to a new annual plan within 60 days of your initial Aura annual subscription, you may still qualify for the Money Back Guarantee (based upon your initial annual plan purchase date). However, a criminal can create a so-called “synthetic” false identity by combining the name on the card with other information, like someone else’s Social Security number. Details like your card number and expiration date usually aren’t enough information to hack into other accounts. Using information like your Social Security number, a thief can apply for new credit in your name.
- Discover how you can implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools into your security strategy.
- Cyber security experts recommend not repeating old passwords or using the same password on more than one account.
- Organizations with greater cyber situational awareness will be able to detect and respond to these instances more quickly.
- Install anti-virus or other anti-malware software on your personal computer to check for malware.
- Accessible only with specific software.
- Often associated with illegal trade, including drugs and weapons.
- Hosts forums and marketplaces for exchanging stolen data.
Now the Secret Service was once again hot on the trail to bring down this big-time carder, Roman Seleznev. Detective Dunn continued reading through the e-mails he found and found one indicating Roman was renting a server from a company called Hop One in Virginia. With Chase for Business you’ll receive guidance from a team of business professionals who specialize in helping improve cash flow, providing credit solutions, and managing payroll.
How Credit Card Fraud Operates on the Dark Web
The process of obtaining and using a dark web credit card can be outlined in several steps:
- **Acquisition of Data**: Credit card information is often obtained through various means like phishing scams, data breaches, or hacking.
- **Publishing on Forums**: Once stolen, this information is commonly shared or sold on dark web forums or marketplaces.
- **Purchase**: Buyers can acquire these credit card details at relatively low prices, sometimes as little as $5 to $20 per card.
- **Use**: Fraudsters utilize these credit card numbers to make online purchases, often disguising their identity.
Risks and Consequences
Engaging in activities involving dark web credit cards poses significant risks, both for buyers and sellers:
- **Legal Repercussions**: Purchasing or selling stolen credit card information can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment.
- **Financial Loss**: Victims of credit card fraud may face considerable financial loss and difficulties in recovering their funds.
- **Cybersecurity Threats**: Engaging in this market places users at risk of malware, scams, and other cyber threats.
FAQs about Dark Web Credit Cards
What can I do if my credit card information is stolen?
Immediately contact your bank, report the fraud, and monitor your accounts for any unauthorized transactions.
Is everything sold on the dark web illegal?
While many products and services are illegal, some platforms on the dark web may sell legal products, albeit with questionable ethics regarding privacy and availability.
How do I access the dark web safely?
Using a secure, updated VPN and the Tor browser is essential. However, accessing the dark web comes with inherent risks, so proceed with caution.
Conclusion
The dark web credit card market remains a dangerous and illegal space that attracts cybercriminals. Understanding how it operates can help individuals protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud. It is always advisable to engage in safe internet practices and to report any loss of sensitive information to authorities immediately.
