Dark Web Hackers: What Do They Tend to Focus Their Attacks On?

Featured article by Bernadine Racoma, Content Manager of eTranslation Services

Out of all of the things you can find on the dark web, perhaps one of the few positive finds is that of giving the general public a vast library of knowledge about criminal activity. With this crucial knowledge at hand, prospective cyber security companies can get invaluable information about where hackers are focusing all of their energy, and this research is essential to the overall protection of society.

Anyone that scours the dark web will eventually come across a group of criminals boasting about their previous exploits and upcoming plans, and because of this, gathering information on the subject is not all that difficult. Let’s take a look at a few of the areas where dark web hackers tend to focus their attacks.

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Financial Gain

As you’d expect, one thing that both the common criminal and the mastermind have in common is that of the desire to garner wealth and riches. Finances are always a key target for any hackers, and most would even go out OF their way to gain even the smallest of sums.

This can range from petty theft all the way up to a planned out heist, and victims of this type of crime come from all over the spectrum. Of course, there is no need to give an explanation of why dark web hackers would be interested in money – this is pretty self-evident.

However, another reason why this type of attack is so common is just because of how easy it can be. In some cases where security is at a minimum, hacking into someone’s savings account can be as simple as changing a few digits on a page, and this is something that can be done by even the most incompent of hackers with relative ease.

Data Leaks

In all likelihood, you may have expected to see data leaks show up on this list. Data leaks are on the rise in the modern day and age, and it seems as though a different major company gets essential information leaked every single day. Well, this is not so far from the truth.

All of the high-profile data leaks you see on the news are really just scratching the surface. In reality, millions of people’s information is leaked everyday, and this is by far the most common form of attack.

Moreover, unlike finances, the reasons why hackers choose to leak data are incredibly diverse in nature. Whilst some may choose to do it simply to cause a scene and to get a little buzz, others may do it with true malice in mind.

For example, there have been cases where hackers have gone after large companies in order to get the details of millions of people across the world, and this information can be used for a wide array of things such as identity theft, fraud, and stealing.

Although, it is important to note that there is also a small minority of people out there that consider themselves as “vigilantes”, where they target corrupt businesses and companies in order to bring light to the various issues at hand. Whilst this might sound good in theory, it is important to remember that this is still a crime, and despite their positive intent, this is still not something that should be encouraged.

The Vulnerable

Even though we might not all want to acknowledge it, the unfortunate reality of the situation is that the most common areas hackers focus their attacks on the most vulnerable. This can be done through a variety of ways, but whether it be the eldery, the naive, or just the unfortunate, it all leads to the same conclusion; the vulnerable are always at risk.

This is just down to the simple fact that vulnerable people are much easier to target. In turn, this means hackers do not have to dedicate nearly as much time or energy into getting what they want from said victims, and this drastically increases the number of resources they can exploit.

The vulnerable are always at risk, and because of the fact that they require very little effort in order to hack, this is likely going to remain the case for the foreseeable future.

Luckily, this issue is no way near as prevalent as it used to be. The world in general has become much more cautious when it comes to cyber security and protection, and there are a variety of hoops hackers have to get through now even in the most simplistic of cases.

It truly is a tragedy that there are those out there who are willing to exploit others for their own gain. Alas, this is just the cold hard truth when it comes to a small minority out there, and learning how to protect ourselves against said people is a valuable skill.

We may not be able to stop dark web hackers entirely, but we can do everything in our power to ensure we do not fall victim. Always be cautious whilst browsing the web, and constantly be on the lookout for new ways to keep yourself protected. Stay safe.

Bernadine Racoma is the Content Manager of eTranslation Services. Her long experience in an international development institution and extensive travels have provided her a wealth of knowledge and insights into cultural diversity. She writes to inform, engage, and share the idea of the Internet being a useful platform for communicating, knowledge sharing, educating, and entertaining. You can find Bernadine Racoma at Google Plus, on Facebook and Twitter.