A hacker with 30 years of experience, who now identifies as a “white hat” hacker, has shared some of the scariest things he’s witnessed on the dark web. This individual, who now works to find vulnerabilities in systems and protect against cybercriminals, opened up about his experiences to Vice. Despite his current role as an ethical hacker, he has seen the dark side of the internet and the severe consequences it can have.
The hacker revealed that cybercriminals can purchase details of credit cards with significant balances for as little as $110. He also spoke about ransomware, a malicious software that encrypts data and demands payment for decryption. This form of attack has evolved over the years, with ransom demands escalating from hundreds to millions of dollars. He recounted a recent attack where the criminals demanded $70 million to unlock all encrypted computers.
One of the most harrowing aspects of his job involves witnessing hospitals being targeted by ransomware, forcing them to choose between paying the ransom or risking lives. The stakes are incredibly high, with potential impacts on financial markets and essential services like electricity production.
Looking to the future, the hacker expressed concern about the increasing sophistication of cyber-attacks. While he downplayed fears of nuclear arsenals being taken over, he highlighted the significant risks to financial systems and critical infrastructure. His experiences underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the ongoing battle against cyber threats in an increasingly digital world.
