🌒 Day 6: Meet the Dark Web – Black Markets and Leaked Lives
Cyber Defense & Security Practices“If the internet is a city… the dark web is its darkest alley.”
— Anonymous Hacker
🎬 Scene: Somewhere in the Shadows
A seller posts:
“Fullz pack – Name, SSN, DOB, address, phone, CC info – $25 in BTC. 100% fresh.”
A buyer replies with a thumbs-up emoji.
It’s not fiction. It’s not Hollywood.
This is the dark web — where your stolen data might already be for sale.
🧠 What Is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines like Google or Bing.
You can only access it using special tools like Tor (The Onion Router).
It’s anonymous. It’s encrypted. And while not everything on it is illegal…
It’s where cybercrime thrives.
🕳️ What’s Sold in the Dark Markets?
Here’s what’s on the virtual shelves:
| Item | Street Price |
|---|---|
| Stolen credit card info | $5 – $50 |
| Full identity (“Fullz”) | $15 – $30 |
| Social media accounts | $2 – $10 |
| Netflix, Uber, Amazon logins | $1 – $5 |
| Hacked PayPal w/ balance | % of balance |
| Exploits & Malware kits | $100+ |
| Ransomware-as-a-Service | Varies |
| Forged passports, IDs | $100 – $500+ |
Everything has a price. Including you.
🔐 How Does Your Data End Up There?
- Phishing Attacks – One wrong click, and your credentials are stolen
- Data Breaches – When companies like LinkedIn, Facebook, or T-Mobile get breached
- Leaked Databases – Hackers dump huge amounts of user data
- Malware Infections – Keyloggers silently capture your logins
- Credential Stuffing – You reuse passwords across sites? You’re already compromised.
🧠 Hacker Vocab of the Day: “Fullz”
A Fullz is a full identity package.
Includes: name, DOB, SSN, address, phone number, email, credit card — all the details needed for identity theft.
🕵️♂️ Can You Visit the Dark Web?
Yes — but don’t rush in for the thrill.
🚧 WARNING:
- It’s illegal to buy or participate in anything criminal
- Sites may host disturbing or illegal content
- Malware is common
- You are not anonymous without precautions
Use Tor Browser + VPN + Extreme Caution
🛡️ How to Protect Yourself
✅ Use Unique Passwords
So a breach on one site doesn’t affect all your accounts
✅ Enable 2FA Everywhere
Especially email, social media, banking
✅ Monitor Your Digital Footprint
Use tools like:
✅ Freeze Your Credit
This stops identity thieves from opening accounts in your name
🎯 Action Step
Check your exposure:
- Visit https://haveibeenpwned.com
- Enter all your email addresses
- If you’re in a breach, change those passwords NOW
Bonus: Google yourself + “pastebin” and see if any of your data shows up.
🔮 Coming Tomorrow:
🔐 Day 7: Weekend Briefing – Threat Check + Free Tools to Use
Time to run your first personal cyber audit — the way a hacker would.
💻 Stay underground. Stay encrypted. Stay untraceable.
– Saney Alam