Identity theft on the internet up by 57.9% in 2021

Hackers increased their activities yet again in 2021. CRIF Cyber Observatory figures show that users sent in over 1.8 million reports about IT attacks on their personal details. This represents an upswing of 57.9% compared with the previous year.

The risk involved in online games and online dating
Accounts associated with entertainment sites, particularly online games and online dating are the most seriously exposed to the theft of personal details (48.6 % of all cases). Forums and websites are also badly affected (at 22.6%), as are streaming services (15.5%).

These details circulate around the Dark Web
The Dark Web mainly circulates personal details, and these are therefore the most vulnerable items. This means passwords, personal or business email addresses, first names and family names, user names and telephone numbers. Such valuable contact information can be used for attempts at fraud, e.g. by phishing or smishing.

Telephone numbers have become particularly valuable items of personal information, because they provide access to many platforms and apps that have introduced a 2-factor authentication system into their registration procedures.

CVVs are increasingly often included alongside credit card numbers
As well as the card number itself, credit card details now also almost always include the CVV (the three-digit security code on the card) and the expiry date (88.7 % of all cases). The first name and family name of the card holder are also available in 72.5 % of all cases, which is a significant increase in comparison with 2020.

The most frequently stolen passwords in Switzerland
According to an analysis of passwords found on the Dark Web, the most popular passwords in Switzerland are: newsletter, cyberonline, passwort, andrea, sunshine, soleil and sommer.