A Hidden Market: Australian Payment Cards on the Dark Web
Recent discoveries uncover a deeply unsettling fact. A significant number of Australian payment cards, over 65,000, are being traded on the dark web. Coupled with these cards is an array of personal information like addresses, phone numbers, and emails. This all-inclusive bundle, available for as little as $9.82 on the Dark Web, makes it easier and cheaper for cybercriminals to commit identity theft unnoticed.
The Invisible Menace: From Brute-Force to Sophisticated Fraud
The issue is more substantial than it seems at first glance. When these cards are bundled with the owners’ date of birth, the potential danger intensifies. Cybercriminals gain potential access to the victims’ lives, exploiting legal avenues and gaining more personal information.
Previously, brute-force attacks were deemed the primary route of Credential Theft and Exploitation. But now, the massive amount of information available on the dark web suggests a turn towards more advanced techniques like phishing and malware. These methods have the power to steal larger amounts of personal data, making them a more dangerous threat.
Australia’s Elevated Fraud Risk
Despite most compromised cards originating from the United States, Australia holds a concerning second place in the global fraud risk index.
4 Simple Steps to Protect Your Data
- Use impossible-to-guess passwords: Diversify passwords across accounts, store them in an encrypted password manager, ensuring a mix of at least 20 letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Always use your bank’s app: Track your finances closely, particularly unusual deductions. Real-time transaction notifications can be a lifesaver.
- React swiftly to data breaches: Informed of a breach? Change your username and password immediately. If these credentials are shared elsewhere, modify them too.
- Use anti-malware software: Protect your device from malicious files and information-stealing viruses.
