The dark web and online crypto-currency is responsible for thousands upon thousands of cases of identity theft. Credit card information is incredibly cheap on the dark web and can go for as little as $15 a credit card. In case you aren’t familiar, the dark web is a different type of internet that can only be accessed through an encrypted network and internet browser. Traditional search methods and browsers have no access to this part of the internet and are widely hidden from the majority of the public.
As such, much of the activity on the dark web is highly illegal and deals with the trade of counterfeit goods, stolen credit card information, and other nefarious categories. The most popular crypto-currency on the market is currently bitcoin, which is a currency without a centralized repository or single administrator. There is also another sector of the internet called the dark web, which cannot be accessed by sites such as Google. Generally, the content of these sites are legal, but cannot be accessed through a search function.
The dark web is a haven for stolen credit card information and credit card fraud. The auctioning and packaging of a compromised card is generally too quick for banks to realize and detect, and by that time, the financial damage has already been done. Credit cards, in addition to full information about a person, can be purchased online easily. W-2’s, 1040 tax returns, and social security numbers are some of the common pieces of information that are sold. Some packages are as low as $30. Hundreds of thousands of cards can be bought online.
Protect Yourself Against the Dark Web
The dark web is scary stuff, and the average consumer has no idea how to protect themselves against this growing threat. Protecting your personal information has never been more important, so use these tips to protect yourself from credit card fraud, social media fraud, and identity theft:
- Use secure passwords and never use the same password for all of your sites. Using special characters ($%^&*) can improve the strength of your passwords.
- Change your password regularly.
- Install firewall, antivirus, and anti-spyware technology.
- Don’t click unsolicited links or emails.
- Invest in a VPN.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi networks.
- Keep your credit cards on your person.
- Shred anything with your credit card number on it.
- Don’t sign blank credit card receipts.
- Avoid giving out your credit card information.
- Check the validity of an online website before making a purchase.
- Review your billing statements every week.
- Report a lost or stolen card immediately.
Mobile Shredding Services in Atlanta
If you have a large amount of documents sitting around with personal information, it’ll pay in the long run to have it shredded. Old credit cards, medical bills, bank statements, and personal information can all be used against you by an experienced criminal. Contact us today or call us at (803) 358-2024.