2.3 Million Bank Cards Leaked, and That’s Just the Tip of the Iceberg

According to Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence, a staggering 2.3 million bank cards were leaked globally on the dark web between 2023 and 2024. And that’s just the known surface. These figures come straight from infostealer malware logs—malicious software that silently scrapes your credentials, cookies, and payment details, then dumps them into cybercriminal networks like inventory.

The numbers behind this should make anyone pause. Nearly 26 million devices have been compromised so far, with over 9 million breaches occurring in 2024 alone. That’s not hypothetical risk. That’s a system-wide failure unfolding in real time.

What makes this so dangerous is the infection method: there’s no sophisticated breach or targeted attack needed. One fake software download, one phishing link, one shady email attachment—that’s all it takes. Once the malware is in, it collects everything: login credentials, browser sessions, even two-factor authentication tokens in some cases. It doesn’t discriminate. Personal laptops, work machines, enterprise systems—it’s all fair game.

Here’s the kicker: the leak isn’t instant. Cybercriminals often sit on stolen data for months or even years before releasing it. So what looks like a new breach could easily trace back to an infection from two years ago. Kaspersky estimates that by the end of this year, we’ll be looking at somewhere between 20 to 25 million infected devices. Last year? Somewhere between 18 to 22 million. And those numbers keep growing as more historical data surfaces.

The financial sector is getting hammered. Attack surfaces are wider than ever, and security postures aren’t keeping up. Kaspersky has now launched a dedicated portal aimed at raising awareness and offering actionable strategies for anyone trying to stay ahead of the curve.

Here’s what you can actually do about it:
➪ If you suspect your card details were leaked, reissue the card immediately and change your online banking credentials.
➪ Don’t just monitor your accounts—scrutinize every transaction.
➪ Turn on two-factor authentication and run full device security scans.
➪ Delete suspicious apps and clear your browser cookies.
➪ And never trust random software downloads or unexpected emails.

This isn’t a drill. It’s not a “maybe.” It’s an active, evolving threat that’s already costing millions. Most people won’t know they’ve been compromised until it’s too late. Don’t be most people.