What Do Hackers Do With the Data?
What Do Hackers Do With the Data?
If your personal information is stolen, what happens next? Many people assume that once their email or password is leaked, that’s the end of the story. The reality is far more unsettling. Your stolen data doesn’t just sit in a database—it becomes a commodity, a tool, and in some cases, a weapon.
Hackers, cybercriminals, and even large-scale crime syndicates use stolen data for various malicious purposes, ranging from identity theft to selling your credentials on underground marketplaces. Let’s explore how stolen data is monetized, manipulated, and misused.
1. Selling Data on the Dark Web: The Black Market of Information
The dark web is an encrypted part of the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines. It’s a digital underworld where stolen data is bought and sold like a commodity.
For example: In 2021, a hacker leaked over 500 million Facebook user records, including phone numbers and personal details, on a dark web forum—for free.
How Your Data is Priced and Sold:
- Credit Card Details – $10 to $100 per card (higher for cards with larger limits).
- Email & Password Combos – As low as $1 per account.
- Social Security Numbers (SSNs) – $2 to $60, depending on the credit score.
- Online Banking Logins – $50 to $500, based on account balance.
- Gaming Accounts (PlayStation, Xbox, Steam) – $5 to $100, if linked to credit cards.
- Shopping Accounts (Amazon, eBay, PayPal) – $10 to $500, depending on purchase history.
2. Identity Theft & Financial Fraud: Becoming You
2. Identity Theft & Financial Fraud: Becoming You
Once hackers have your sensitive details—such as your full name, address, Social Security number, and banking information—they can become you in the digital world.
For example: In 2017, a woman in Florida had her identity stolen, and a fraudster took out a mortgage in her name, leaving her with over $300,000 in debt.
How Hackers Exploit Stolen Identities:
- Opening New Credit Cards – They apply for loans, credit cards, and lines of credit under your name.
- Taking Over Existing Accounts – By resetting passwords, hackers can lock you out of your own accounts.
- Filing Fraudulent Tax Returns – Cybercriminals can file taxes in your name and collect your refund.
- Creating Fake IDs – Stolen personal info is used to create fake driver’s licenses and passports.
- Renting Apartments or Buying Cars – Some criminals use stolen identities to pass background checks.
3. Extortion & Blackmail: Holding Your Data Hostage
Stolen data isn’t always sold—sometimes, it’s used as leverage against you.
For example: A hacker gains access to your private photos, messages, or sensitive files and threatens to release them unless you pay a ransom.
4. Social Engineering: The Psychological Manipulation of Victims
Not all cybercrime is technical—some hackers rely on manipulation and deception rather than code.
For example: A hacker calls your phone company, pretending to be you. Using information stolen from a data breach, they convince the customer service agent to reset your password. Now, they control your phone number and can access all accounts tied to it.
5. Spam & Botnet Attacks: Turning Your Accounts Against You
Your stolen email, phone number, and credentials may not be used against you directly—but they can be weaponized in mass-scale cyberattacks.
For example: Your stolen email address becomes part of a botnet, a network of hacked devices used for spamming, launching cyberattacks, or spreading malware.
6. The Domino Effect & Final Thoughts
Most people assume that if only one of their accounts is hacked, they can fix it and move on. Unfortunately, data breaches don’t work that way.
For example: Your email and password were leaked in a small breach years ago. Hackers test it against your social media, work email, and even banking accounts. Suddenly, multiple accounts are compromised.
Final Thoughts: What Can You Do?
Hackers are relentless, but you don’t have to be defenseless. The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed and take proactive security measures.
Next Steps:
Learn how to check if your data has been leaked and what to do about it in the next section: What to do after a breach