The most recent study by NordVPN, a global internet security firm, found that roughly 186 million of 54 billion cookies traded on the dark web were attributed to Korean origins.
Cookies, also called internet cookies or HTTP cookies, are compact text files that store data associated with interactions between websites and users. This stored information is accessed each time a user revisits the same website, often updating with new data.
Cookies are crucial in helping users track their internet usage and delivering tailored services based on this data.
Cookies can be categorized into active and inactive types. Active cookies are utilized during the ongoing user session to uphold login status or monitor session details. On the other hand, inactive cookies, generated in previous sessions or currently unnecessary, usually aren’t employed for tracking user behavior.
Nevertheless, inactive cookies may contain personal user data, offering valuable information that hackers can exploit. If a hacker gains access to an inactive cookie, they could misuse the user’s details or exploit it to infiltrate sensitive data.
With the evolution of internet technology and the growing need for targeted advertising, the use and potential misuse of cookies for gathering personal data have surged. While cookies provide benefits, instances of criminal exploitation have risen, often driven by hackers aiming for financial gain through illicit trade. Protecting collected cookie data is essential, but it frequently falls victim to misuse, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
NordVPN’s study uncovered the use of 12 distinct types of malicious software to extract cookies, exposing around 186 million cookies in South Korea. Approximately 33% of these were active cookies, a proportion notably surpassing the global average of 17%.
South Korea ranked 30th out of 244 countries globally regarding the quantity of leaked cookies, claiming the top spot in East Asia. Taiwan and Japan followed closely, with 94 million and 86 million leaked cookies, respectively, indicating a significantly high ratio of cookie leakage relative to their population sizes.
Out of the 54 billion cookies exchanged on the dark web, approximately 2.5 billion were traced back to Google. YouTube trailed closely at 692 million cookies, followed by Microsoft and Bing at around 500 million each.
The leaked cookies from the dark web contained sensitive personal information such as names, locations, directions, and sizes. This poses a significant threat not only to personal financial data but also to overall safety, underscoring the critical need for heightened vigilance.
Adrianus Warmenhoven, a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, emphasized, “While there’s no foolproof solution to ward off the risks posed by cookie leaks completely, individual efforts can greatly mitigate potential damages. Regularly clearing cookies from frequently visited websites and employing reliable security solutions are essential measures.”
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