• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Techhacker

Here’s How Much Your Social Security Number Is Worth on the Dark Web

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 3, 2016, 3:27 PM ET
Hacker
HackerPhotograph by Benjamin Howell — Getty Images

If you’ve ever wondered how much your Social Security number is worth, here’s a hint: About as much as your password to a pornographic site.

Account-monitoring company LogDog on Wednesday published its findings on how much personal information is being sold for on the Dark Web, places on the Internet where the vast majority of users don’t go, and where everything from drugs and illegal pornography to stolen credit cards are bought and sold. The company found that buyers are currently willing to pay just $1 for a Social Security number, which is the same amount they’ll pay for user and password information to Brazzers, a pornographic website. Access to someone’s PayPal (PYPL) account is the most valuable asset at up to $80, depending on the available balance.

The Next Web earlier reported about the report.

People often access the Dark Web, or underground Internet as it’s also known, using anonymizing technology like Tor to obfuscate their IP address and conceal their locations from law enforcement. While using anonymizing technology is no guarantee for staying anonymous, it does make the search by law enforcement exceedingly difficult.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter

Once accessed, the Dark Web presents a host of opportunities for hackers and thieves. Indeed, there are a number of sites where people can buy drugs or guns, among other things. For hackers who have obtained data, the Dark Web has also become a place to sell account login information. Often, they use Bitcoin, an encrypted currency that shrouds its owner’s identification, to make transactions.

According to LogDog, online accounts have become a “hot commodity” on the underground web, but not always for the same reason. Uber accounts, for instance, are perfect for those who may want to take free rides and don’t want to pay much to do it—each account costs between $1 and $2. Netflix (NFLX) accounts, which also range in price from $1 to $2, are ideal for video-streamers. While obtaining Social Security numbers are useful for stealing identities, it appears they aren’t all that desirable to would-be fraudsters.

So, what is actually appealing? According to LogDog’s data, dating sites can fetch a bundle, with single accounts on eHarmony going for $10.

Still, it’s all about cash.

For more about the Dark Web, watch:


“This trend has gotten to a point where there are now stores completely dedicated to selling only online accounts, without even offering credit cards for sale,” LogDog wrote in a statement. “Fraudsters, it appears, have discovered the financial potential in targeting various online services instead of just banks and credit card issuers, which has led to this shift in the proliferation of underground online account stores.”

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

Blue Origin launches New Glenn, suffers issue deploying craft
Innovationspace
Blue Origin launches New Glenn, suffers issue deploying craft
By Sana Pashankar, Edward Ludlow and BloombergApril 19, 2026
4 hours ago
elon musk
Future of WorkElon Musk
Elon Musk bans résumés and cover letters in hiring for his chip team. These are the 3 bullet points he’s looking for instead
By Jake AngeloApril 19, 2026
4 hours ago
Photo of Robert Solow
AIProductivity
Thousands of CEOs admit AI had no impact on employment or productivity—and it has economists resurrecting a paradox from 40 years ago
By Sasha RogelbergApril 19, 2026
5 hours ago
Humanoid robot runs faster than any person ever has in a half marathon during all-bot race in China
AIRobots
Humanoid robot runs faster than any person ever has in a half marathon during all-bot race in China
By The Associated PressApril 19, 2026
5 hours ago
imas
AIdisruption
The economist who was terrified of AI just found a rare reason for hope
By Nick LichtenbergApril 19, 2026
10 hours ago
trump
CommentaryZoom
The U.S. has a $282 billion trade surplus you’ve never heard of — and it’s at risk
By Josh KallmerApril 19, 2026
10 hours ago

Most Popular

'We should absolutely be concerned about non-college-educated men today': higher rents, living at home, falling out of the labor market
Economy
'We should absolutely be concerned about non-college-educated men today': higher rents, living at home, falling out of the labor market
By Catherina GioinoApril 18, 2026
2 days ago
The record-setting U.S. drought is so bad that 97% of the Southeast and two-thirds of the West are parched
North America
The record-setting U.S. drought is so bad that 97% of the Southeast and two-thirds of the West are parched
By Seth Borenstein and The Associated PressApril 18, 2026
24 hours ago
MacKenzie Scott has donated more than $26 billion—but it's barely made a dent in her net worth because of the power of Amazon shares
Success
MacKenzie Scott has donated more than $26 billion—but it's barely made a dent in her net worth because of the power of Amazon shares
By Sydney LakeApril 18, 2026
1 day ago
Putin finally admits Russia's economy is in trouble and grasps for answers, after warnings about a financial crisis have been piling up
Economy
Putin finally admits Russia's economy is in trouble and grasps for answers, after warnings about a financial crisis have been piling up
By Jason MaApril 18, 2026
22 hours ago
The power has swung back to employers—and workers are paying for it in benefits, flexibility, and leverage
Workplace Culture
The power has swung back to employers—and workers are paying for it in benefits, flexibility, and leverage
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezApril 17, 2026
2 days ago
The $6 billion Vatican Bank was beset by scandals, disastrous investments—and ties to the Mafia. How Pope Francis tried to fix it
Banking
The $6 billion Vatican Bank was beset by scandals, disastrous investments—and ties to the Mafia. How Pope Francis tried to fix it
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezApril 18, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.