When an individual falls for a phishing trap by clicking on a fraudulent link and providing personal or access information on a fake page, the damage doesn’t end there. The captured data does not disappear or get forgotten; instead, it becomes a “commodity” in the clandestine digital market. According to Kaspersky, these data circulate, are verified, combined, and used in new scams or attacks long after the initial event, a phenomenon not exclusive to a small group of amateur cybercriminals.
What Data Do They Target and Where Does It End Up?
A recent report found that nearly nine out of ten phishing attacks are designed to steal login data for online accounts, such as emails, social networks, or financial services. A smaller percentage focuses on personal data (names, addresses, and birthdates) or details of bank cards.
With a password and an email, attackers can attempt to access multiple online services, especially if the victim uses the same password across several accounts. This practice facilitates new attacks or allows criminals to access accounts with sensitive information or even money.
Once collected, the data isn’t always used immediately. Instead, it’s often grouped and then sold in large files (“dumps”) containing millions of records on dark web forums, as shown in the following table:
Summary of account prices for various services in forums since early 2025.
The buyer is not always a direct cybercriminal: often, they are clandestine data analysts who organize, verify, and combine various leaks to create more comprehensive digital profiles. This profile can then be used for targeted attacks or identity theft long after the original phishing incident.
Moreover, personal data can be used in other scams like fraudulent calls, extortion messages, or identity impersonation attempts on various websites and services.
How to Protect Yourself if You’ve Been a Victim
Prevention and digital education are essential in the face of current frauds and phishing attacks. If you suspect your data was stolen after a phishing attempt:
- Immediately change the passwords of affected accounts and any other account where you’ve reused the same password.
- Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to make unauthorized access more difficult.
- Review the login history of your accounts and close any unknown sessions.
- Regularly monitor your financial statements and bank notifications for any suspicious activity.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What happens to stolen data after a phishing attack? A: Stolen data is often sold in bulk on the dark web, where it can be used to create new identities or commit further fraud.
- Q: What types of data are typically targeted in phishing attacks? A: Phishing attacks usually target login data for online accounts, personal information, and bank card details.
- Q: Who buys the stolen data, and what do they use it for? A: Data buyers can be direct cybercriminals or clandestine data analysts who create comprehensive digital profiles for targeted attacks, identity theft, or other scams.
- Q: How can phishing victims protect themselves from further harm? A: Victims should change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, review login histories, and monitor financial statements for suspicious activity.
