Infostealer Malware Soars 500% as 1.7 Billion Passwords Leak on Dark Web

A new report has exposed a staggering 500% rise in infostealer malware attacks, with over 1.7 billion passwords leaked on the dark web in 2024 alone. Despite the growing threat, poor password hygiene continues to be a critical issue, especially among Gen Z users. Cybersecurity experts are now calling for a complete rethink of digital safety practices, urging organizations and individuals to adopt zero-trust frameworks, AI-driven defenses, and reform in user behavior.

Infostealer malware is gaining traction as a preferred tool among cybercriminals. These lightweight, silent programs are often embedded in pirated software or spread via phishing attacks. Once inside a system, they exfiltrate sensitive data including stored credentials, autofill data, cookies, and even crypto wallet details without raising alarms. This stolen information is then compiled into massive combo lists—datasets of usernames and passwords—that are sold or traded on dark web forums. These lists power credential-stuffing attacks that enable hackers to take control of accounts on a mass scale.

Underground marketplaces have reportedly listed over 100 billion compromised credentials, marking a 42% increase from the previous year. Cybercrime syndicates such as BestCombo, BloddyMery, and ValidMail have become notorious for brokering access to stolen identities, fueling everything from account takeovers to financial fraud, ransomware deployme

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