Dark Web Monitoring And More
Closures and seizures of carding sites in 2022 have so far accounted for almost 50% of sales in the dark web stolen credit card market. Ferum Shop – the largest of the seized sites – was briefly the market leader among stolen credit card vendors after taking the title from UniCC, which closed down in January. Active since October 2013, Ferum Shop made an estimated $256 million in Bitcoin from stolen card sales, according to Elliptic’s internal data – constituting almost 17% of the stolen credit card market.
Understanding Dark Web Websites for Credit Cards
Some of the details of this complex cybercrime operation have come to light following an indictment by the U.S. NordVPN analyzed statistical data gathered by independent researchers specializing in cybersecurity incident research from markets where payment card numbers are being sold. The amount of stolen credit card numbers on the dark web in the last six months of 2019 tripled compared to the first six months, a sign that credit card frauds and hacks are getting worse.
The dark web websites for credit cards create a hidden marketplace for illegal activities, including the buying and selling of stolen credit card information. Users on these platforms are typically looking for ways to engage in illicit activities while remaining anonymous.
“Our analysis suggests that this market has been around since May 2021 and is available on a Tor channel as well,” according to the post. Sites on the surface web (or open web) are those visible to average users without the use of Tor or any other special browsers or software. Sites on the surface web are also indexable and can be easily found using search engines. In a classic example, the surface web can be imagined as the tip of a large iceberg whose bulk remains hidden just under the surface.
What are Dark Web Websites?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. Most commonly, users rely on the Tor browser to navigate these hidden sites.
How Credit Card Information is Sold
But when detectives finally caught up with the criminal, they discovered over 20 stolen credit cards on him — all bought off the Dark Web. An economy with a high income, therefore, has a higher chance of having people steal from their credit cards. China has historically been the source of large-scale hacking operations, according to NordVPN, whose political stance is hostile to western nations. Cybercriminals are likely more prevalent in countries that are struggling financially. Those who live in poverty are more likely to resort to illegal methods to make money, such as cybercrime.
In order to proactively defend against attacks and mitigate the threat of leaked information, organizations should consistently monitor marketplaces and forums for data pertaining to their brand. If questionable data is detected, understanding next steps is critical to minimizing risks to your brand, employees, and customers. “Since that time, we saw a rise in the emergence of several new debit and credit card shops to fulfill the illicit demand for compromised payment cards.” continues Cyble.
- However, the deep web can also host illegal content such as pirated media.
- All of these reasons make the Dark Web perfect for cybercrime — including the buying and selling of stolen personally identifiable information (PII) — because those who access it are effectively unidentifiable.
- The documents being offered for sale encompass various sensitive information, such as marksheets, signatures, passport-size photos, caste certificates, Aadhar cards, and more.
- As Figure 2 demonstrates, one of the largest dark web marketplaces, Alphabay, runs its own credit card shop as an additional feature of the site.
- However, remember that these details were likely there long before these breaches happened.
Most users on the Dark Web are logged into a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to further conceal themselves. Another forum member with a low reputation score refers to the free cards as “dead,” apparently suspecting that the leaked data is not fresh. A member with an average reputation concurs, positing that the cards were “dead” before they were released.
On dark web websites for credit cards, users can find various types of stolen information:
- Fullz: Packages containing a person’s complete information, including name, address, and credit card details.
- Card Dumps: Data extracted from credit card magnetic strips, which can be used to create cloned cards.
- PVC Cards: Blank cards that can be encoded with stolen data for illicit use.
Why People Buy on the Dark Web
The dark web is a subset of the deep web that is intentionally hidden, requiring a specific browser—Tor—to access, as explained below. No one really knows the size of the dark web, but most estimates put it at around 5% of the total internet. Again, not all the dark web is used for illicit purposes despite its ominous-sounding name. BleepingComputer has discussed the authenticity with analysts at D3Lab, who confirmed that the data is real with several Italian banks, so the leaked entries correspond to real cards and cardholders. Dark web posts and offers of this size are usually scams, so the massive dump of cards could easily be fake data or recycled data from old dumps repackaged under a new name.
Individuals might access dark web websites for credit cards for several reasons:
- Anonymity: Users can mask their identities while conducting illegal transactions.
- Low Prices: Stolen credit card information can often be purchased at a fraction of the original cost.
- Accessibility: Various online forums provide easy entry points for those looking to engage in such activities.
Risks of Engaging with Dark Web Websites
Despite the allure, engaging with dark web websites for credit cards carries significant risks:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing stolen credit card information is illegal and can lead to severe legal repercussions.
- Financial Loss: Users can be scammed, losing money with no recourse for recovery.
- Data Security: Interacting with such sites puts a user’s personal data at risk of theft.
FAQs about Dark Web and Credit Cards
1. What is the dark web?
The dark web is a portion of the internet that requires special software to access and is often associated with illegal activities.
2. How do people access dark web websites?
Access typically requires the Tor browser or similar software designed for anonymity.
3. Are all transactions on the dark web illegal?
While many are illegal, some transactions could involve legal goods and services, but caution is advised.
4. Can I get caught buying stolen credit card information?
Yes, law enforcement agencies actively monitor the dark web, and purchasing stolen information can result in legal action.
5. What should I do if my credit card information is stolen?
Immediately report the theft to your bank or credit card company, and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report.
Conclusion
While the dark web websites for credit cards might seem like an easy way to obtain credit card information, the risks involved far outweigh any potential benefits. Understanding the dangers and legal implications is crucial for anyone considering engaging with these hidden marketplaces.