Cyberattacks in France: where does your stolen data go?

Urssaf, France Travail, Orange or even Private Parcel very recently, all of them have been victims of a cyberattack in recent months. Several million pieces of data have vanished into thin air: identities, passwords, bank codes. The damage is enormous.

However, between the moment we enter our data on a system and the moment it is announced as stolen by the company, it is difficult to know what is really going on. Do you know what happens to your information?

Where does your stolen data go?

Once stolen, data does not remain inactive for long. They are very often resold on specialized black markets, where telephone numbers, email addresses, full identities, passwords and even banking data are exchanged.

One of the most active places is BreachForums, a popular platform for cybercriminals. There, hackers post extracts from stolen databases to prove their authenticity, then launch auctions.

For example, a leak containing several thousandemail addresses can cost a few dozen euros, while a set of data including identities, passwords, bank details can reach several hundred euros.

Once purchased, this data is used for numerous attacks. A hacker can create a phishing very credible thanks to your name and your email address, try SIM swapping with your number or test your identifiers on other sites if you reuse your password.

More sensitive information, such as an identity card, even makes it possible to steal your identity to open bank accounts or take out loans.

This is also why a cyberattack never comes alone and why we have the impression that they follow one another. Cyberattacks feed on the data collected to attack again.

Never two without three

As nothing is simple BreachForums cannot be permanently closed, because its administrators regularly relaunch the site on new domains, sometimes hosted by tolerant services, and completely dismantling the infrastructure and operators is very complex.

Even after seizures or arrests, the forum can reappear, sometimes in the form of clones or traps for law enforcement.

THE cyberattacks feed on the data collected to attack again.

According to Clément Domingo, a cybersecurity expert who closely observes the evolution of leaks in France, the personal information of around 80% of the population is already in circulation on black markets.

According to an analysis conducted by Surfshark, France has become the Western European country most affected by data breaches.

If you fear being affected by a data leak, start by checking if your email address appears in compromised databases via reliable services like HaveIBeenPwned.

In case of hacking, immediately change your passwordsactivate double authentication and monitor your accounts (banking, email, social networks) to spot any suspicious activity. Also, do not hesitate to contact the relevant services to report the situation and ask for help.

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