This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by LawsonPeters
Photo Credit: Unsplash / FLY:D
Keypoints
- Your personal data has real monetary value on the black market.
- Data brokers and cybercriminals both collect and sell your information.
- Identity theft is easier than you think - even your phone number and address can be weaponized.
- Regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and NDPR exist - but your data is still at risk.
- Learn how to protect your digital footprint with simple, actionable tips.
"You Are the Product": The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
We’ve all heard the saying, “If you're not paying for the product, you are the product.”
From that “free” weather app to your Facebook likes, data is being harvested every second. But who profits from your digital life?
The answer: Data brokers, advertisers and yes-cybercriminals(ops🌚).
In 2023, a hacker leaked 10 million customers’ personal data from a popular fitness app. Emails, birth dates, and health data were sold on dark web forums for just $0.30 per user.
What’s Your Data Worth on the Dark Web?
| Data Type | Dark Web Price (Est.) |
|---|---|
| Credit Card Info | $10 - $100 |
| Social Security Number | $1 - $5 |
| Medical Records | $100 - $1,000 |
| Full ID Bundle (PII) | $30 - $100 |
PII = Personally Identifiable Information (name, DOB, SSN, address, phone, etc.)
These bundles are often called “Fullz” in underground communities.
Who’s Selling You? The Shadowy World of Data Brokers
You might not know their names - Acxiom, CoreLogic, Oracle - but they know yours.
These legal entities compile and sell your digital footprint to advertisers, insurance firms, political campaigns, and sometimes malicious actors.
From my own experience analyzing grounds for most phishing attacks, many threat actors buy targeted email lists from obscure third-party brokers before launching their campaigns.
How Cybercriminals Use Your Info
Phishing & Social Engineering:
Knowing your birthday, address, and bank can help craft a believable scam.Credential Stuffing:
Email - password combos leaked from one site are used to break into others.Medical Fraud:
Your health insurance data can be used to get prescription drugs or fake treatment claims.Synthetic Identity Theft:
Criminals create a new fake person using parts of real identities - often children’s.
What Laws Exist to Protect You?
| Regulation | Region | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| GDPR | EU | Consent transparency, right to be forgotten |
| CCPA | California, USA | Right to opt-out of data sale |
| NDPR | Nigeria | Consent-based data collection, privacy rights |
But laws alone are not enough. You still need to take proactive steps.
8 Steps to Take Back Control
Check if your info has been leaked:
Use haveibeenpwned.comEnable 2FA on every major account.
Use a password manager.
Limit personal info on social media.
Unsubscribe from data brokers via services like Optery or DeleteMe.
Review privacy settings on every app.
Use privacy - focused browsers and extensions. (e.g., Brave, DuckDuckGo)
Educate friends and family.
Final Thoughts: You're Not Paranoid, You're Aware.
Being conscious about your data isn't being paranoid - it's being prepared.
As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, protecting your digital identity is no longer optional - it's essential.
Futher reading and resources
Mozilla: Privacy Not Included Guide
EFF: Surveillance Self-Defense
About the Author
Lawson Peters is a cybersecurity analyst, technical writer, and co-founder of Step+AI, where he advocates for digital literacy and inclusion across Africa. He loves boxing, debugging network attacks, and helping beginners understand cybersecurity without the jargon.
💬 Comments? Questions?
Let’s talk below or hit me up on Twitter @LawsonPetrs
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by LawsonPeters
LawsonPeters | Sciencx (2025-05-30T11:59:55+00:00) Why Hackers Want Your Personal Data (And How They Use It). Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/05/30/why-hackers-want-your-personal-data-and-how-they-use-it/
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