94 Billion Stolen Browser Tracking Cookies Published To Dark Web

The dark web has just become a little darker - and more ominous - for internet users. According to recent research by Nord Security's Aurelija Skebaite, a staggering 94 billion stolen browser tracking cookies have been published on the dark web. This figure is a whopping 74% increase from last year's report totals, highlighting the ever-growing problem of online security breaches.

But what exactly are these cookies and why should we care? Browser tracking cookies are small pieces of data that websites store on your device when you visit them. They're used to track your browsing behavior, gather information about you, and create a profile of your online activities. While they may seem harmless, having too many of these cookies in the wrong hands can be disastrous.

"Even the smallest crumb can reveal a whole digital trail," warned Skebaite. "So accepting web cookies blindly can be a risky habit." And it's exactly that kind of recklessness that has led to this massive leak. The research revealed that more than 20% of the stolen cookies are currently active and pose a significant threat to user privacy and security.

The numbers behind this leak are staggering. There are over 18 billion assigned IDs exposed, along with 1.2 billion session IDs. These pieces of data can be used to identify users and secure their online accounts, making them prime targets for identity theft, fraud, and unauthorized account access.

"The stolen information often included full names, email addresses, cities, passwords, and physical addresses," Skebaite said. "Key personal data that can be used for malicious purposes." The researchers found that popular platforms like Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and Microsoft were particularly vulnerable to this type of attack.

"Popular platforms make for tasty targets because you can scrape more information off of them," explained Skebaite. This means that hackers can use stolen session cookies to access email, files, calendars, and accounts - all without needing to guess passwords or trigger two-factor authentication.

Mitigating The Browser Cookie Theft Problem

So what can be done to prevent this type of breach? Here are a few mitigations that users can consider:

  • Blocking cookies and rejecting unnecessary ones is always a good move. You can do this by using tools like ad blockers or browser extensions that block tracking cookies.
  • Rejecting cookies initially is also an option. If it impacts your use of a website, you can always go back and accept them later.
  • Clearing your browser cookie cache and browsing history on a regular basis can help reduce the window of time during which your data can be hijacked.

"It helps reduce the window of time during which your data can be hijacked," Skebaite said. By taking these simple steps, users can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to this type of attack.

The Impact Of The Leaked Cookies

But what does this mean for us as individuals? In short, it means that our online security is at risk. Having 94 billion stolen browser tracking cookies on the dark web opens up a huge window of opportunity for hackers to exploit our personal data.

"This leak highlights the ever-growing problem of online security breaches," said Skebaite. "We need to be vigilant and take steps to protect ourselves from these types of attacks." By being aware of this threat and taking steps to mitigate it, we can reduce our risk of falling victim to this type of breach.