It might surprise you to hear this, but your email, social media, and bank passwords could be floating around the dark web right now—and criminals can buy them for less than the cost of a dinner out.
Yep, just $81 a week is all it takes for cybercriminals to subscribe to a stream of stolen passwords and other sensitive data, and they’re using it to break into personal accounts like yours.
How Are Hackers Getting Your Info?
It’s not always some big, sophisticated hack. Often, it starts with a sneaky piece of malware called an infostealer—software designed to silently collect your saved passwords, credit card details, and even those special codes you get when using two-factor authentication (2FA). All of this gets sold on shady websites or private messaging groups like Telegram.
What does this mean for you? If you’ve ever reused a password or saved one in your browser, you could be a target without even knowing it.
It Costs Them Little—but Can Cost You a Lot
While hackers are spending just a few bucks a week, the damage they cause can be massive. Once they have your info, they can:
- Empty your bank account
- Lock you out of your email or social media
- Use your identity to scam others
- Access your work systems, putting your job at risk
It only takes one bad click or weak password to open the door.
How to Protect Yourself
Here’s the good news: you can fight back. Here’s how:
Stop using passwords when possible – Many services (like Google, Microsoft, and Apple) now offer something called passkeys, which are way more secure and can’t be stolen like traditional passwords.
Use a password manager – Let it create and store strong, unique passwords for you. No more repeating the same one everywhere.
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) – This adds a second layer of security even if someone has your password.
Think before you click – Be extra cautious with unexpected emails, texts, or links.
Bottom Line
Hackers don’t need millions of dollars to pull off a cyberattack—they just need a few stolen passwords. But by changing the way you protect your accounts, you can stay one step ahead. Reach out to us today at 703-790-0400 or sales@optfinity.com to discover how OptfinITy can keep your network secure.
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