Ahmedabad: Your privacy is worth only $450! The dark web has become a marketplace for hacking services, offering illegal access to social media accounts for as low as $450 (Rs 38,600 approximately).
Investigations reveal that dedicated hacking groups operating on hidden sites, openly advertising services such as Instagram, WhatsApp and email hacking.
One such group, known as “Hacking Squad“, promises 100% guaranteed results and offers communication through Telegram.
Recently, one woman from the city reported to the Cybercrime police that her Instagram account was hacked. According to a senior police officer, the Instagram account of a woman from Bopal was hacked, and she was asked to pay Rs 2 lakh. She approached city police and the extorters eventually dropped their demand for money.
“On the dark web, there are certain services using which one can access any social media account or any device,” said a senior police official of the crime branch. In a troubling revelation, cybercrime researchers uncovered a growing marketplace for hacking services on the dark web, where illegal access to Instagram accounts is being offered for as low as $450. This revelation came at a time when CCTVs of a private hospital in Rajkot were hacked, with the accused taking help from tutorials on Telegram run by foreign-based hackers.
“These services, marketed openly on hidden sites and encrypted platforms, pose a direct threat to online privacy and security. One of the identified hacking groups, operating under the name “Hacking Squad”, runs a dedicated dark web portal and actively promotes its services via Telegram,” the official said, adding that the group claims to offer 100% guaranteed success in hacking into Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, emails, websites, and even educational databases. “Their pricing starts at $450 for Instagram account takeovers, making these services alarmingly accessible,” he said.
The hacking process allegedly involves exploiting vulnerabilities within social media platforms or phishing techniques that trick users into providing login credentials. Once the account is compromised, the hackers hand over complete access to the buyer. In addition to personal accounts, corporate Instagram profiles and influencer accounts are also at risk.
Experts warn that the affordability and ease of access to such services contribute to a sharp rise in hacking attempts.
Investigations reveal that dedicated hacking groups operating on hidden sites, openly advertising services such as Instagram, WhatsApp and email hacking.
One such group, known as “Hacking Squad“, promises 100% guaranteed results and offers communication through Telegram.
Recently, one woman from the city reported to the Cybercrime police that her Instagram account was hacked. According to a senior police officer, the Instagram account of a woman from Bopal was hacked, and she was asked to pay Rs 2 lakh. She approached city police and the extorters eventually dropped their demand for money.
“On the dark web, there are certain services using which one can access any social media account or any device,” said a senior police official of the crime branch. In a troubling revelation, cybercrime researchers uncovered a growing marketplace for hacking services on the dark web, where illegal access to Instagram accounts is being offered for as low as $450. This revelation came at a time when CCTVs of a private hospital in Rajkot were hacked, with the accused taking help from tutorials on Telegram run by foreign-based hackers.
“These services, marketed openly on hidden sites and encrypted platforms, pose a direct threat to online privacy and security. One of the identified hacking groups, operating under the name “Hacking Squad”, runs a dedicated dark web portal and actively promotes its services via Telegram,” the official said, adding that the group claims to offer 100% guaranteed success in hacking into Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, emails, websites, and even educational databases. “Their pricing starts at $450 for Instagram account takeovers, making these services alarmingly accessible,” he said.
The hacking process allegedly involves exploiting vulnerabilities within social media platforms or phishing techniques that trick users into providing login credentials. Once the account is compromised, the hackers hand over complete access to the buyer. In addition to personal accounts, corporate Instagram profiles and influencer accounts are also at risk.
Experts warn that the affordability and ease of access to such services contribute to a sharp rise in hacking attempts.