Carding attacks are a type of cybercrime in which criminals use stolen credit or debit card information to conduct unauthorized transactions. The success of these attacks is often due to user errors, which create vulnerabilities that allow fraudsters to easily access sensitive information. Below is a detailed analysis of the main user errors that contribute to the success of carding attacks, an explanation of why they are dangerous, and recommendations for prevention.
Why it's dangerous: Data breaches happen regularly — in 2023, for example, there were more than 2.6 billion personal information breaches worldwide (according to Statista). If a password is compromised on one site, carders can use it to log in to banking or payment systems.
Example: A user uses the password "MyPass123" for email and an online store. An attacker gains access to the store's database where this password is stored and uses it to log in to email, where they find stored card data.
How to avoid:
Why it's dangerous: Modern password-guessing tools, such as Hashcat, can try millions of combinations per second. A weak password can be cracked in minutes.
Example: A user uses the password "Anna1990" for a banking app. An attacker, knowing the user's name and year of birth (e.g., from social media), easily guesses the password and gains access to the card details.
How to avoid:
Why it's dangerous: Without 2FA, an attacker only needs to steal a password to gain full access to an account. Carders often use stolen passwords to log in to payment systems or online stores.
Example: A user hasn't enabled 2FA in their banking app. An attacker, having stolen the password through phishing, immediately gains access to the account and transfers funds.
How to avoid:
Why it's dangerous: Users often don't check website URLs or email senders. Fake websites can look identical to legitimate ones, causing users to enter card details, which are immediately transferred to scammers.
Example: A user receives an email, supposedly from a bank, asking them to "confirm their details" by clicking a link. The link leads to a phishing site, where the user enters their card number, CVV, and password.
How to avoid it:
Why it's dangerous: If the site where the card details are saved is hacked, or the user's device is infected with a Trojan, carders gain direct access to card numbers, expiration dates, and CVV codes.
Example: A user saves card details in the Chrome browser without password protection. Malware reads the saved data and transmits it to attackers.
How to avoid:
Why it's dangerous: Attackers can create fake Wi-Fi hotspots or use man-in-the-middle attacks to intercept data, including card numbers and passwords.
Example: A user pays for an online purchase over public Wi-Fi in a cafe. An attacker intercepts card details through an unencrypted connection.
How to avoid:
Why this is dangerous: Outdated software contains vulnerabilities that carders can exploit to install malware that steals card data (such as keyloggers or Trojans).
Example: A user uses an outdated browser with a known vulnerability. An attacker, via a malicious website, installs a Trojan that records card data as it is entered.
How to avoid:
Why it's dangerous: Carders often start with small transactions to verify the card's validity before making larger purchases. If the user doesn't notice these charges, the fraudsters continue using the card.
Example: A fraudster uses stolen card information to make a $5 purchase. The user doesn't notice the transaction, and the carder moves on to larger charges.
How to avoid it:
Why it's dangerous: Carders can use this information to restore access to accounts or to conduct phishing attacks by posing as a trusted person.
Example: A user posts about their first pet on Instagram. An attacker uses this information to answer a security question and resets their bank account password.
How to avoid it:
Why it's dangerous: Malware such as keyloggers or Trojans can record entered card details, passwords, or hijack browser sessions.
Example: A user clicks a link in an email with a "special offer" and downloads a Trojan that steals card details the next time they log in to online banking.
How to avoid it:
1. Reusing passwords
Description: Users often use the same password for multiple accounts (e.g., email, online stores, banking apps). If attackers gain access to one resource (e.g., through a data breach), they can use the same credentials to access other platforms, including those where card data is stored.Why it's dangerous: Data breaches happen regularly — in 2023, for example, there were more than 2.6 billion personal information breaches worldwide (according to Statista). If a password is compromised on one site, carders can use it to log in to banking or payment systems.
Example: A user uses the password "MyPass123" for email and an online store. An attacker gains access to the store's database where this password is stored and uses it to log in to email, where they find stored card data.
How to avoid:
- Use unique passwords for each service.
- Use password managers (e.g. LastPass, 1Password) to generate and store complex passwords.
- Regularly check your accounts for leaks using services like Have I Been Pwned.
2. Using weak passwords
Description: Weak passwords are short, simple combinations (e.g., "123456," "password," "qwerty") or passwords based on personal information (name, date of birth). Such passwords are easily cracked using brute-force or dictionary attacks.Why it's dangerous: Modern password-guessing tools, such as Hashcat, can try millions of combinations per second. A weak password can be cracked in minutes.
Example: A user uses the password "Anna1990" for a banking app. An attacker, knowing the user's name and year of birth (e.g., from social media), easily guesses the password and gains access to the card details.
How to avoid:
- Create passwords that are at least 12 characters long and include mixed-case letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Use random password generators.
- Avoid using personal information in passwords.
3. Ignoring two-factor authentication (2FA)
Description: Two-factor authentication requires entering an additional code (e.g., from an SMS, an authenticator app, or biometric data) in addition to a password. Many users do not activate 2FA, finding it inconvenient.Why it's dangerous: Without 2FA, an attacker only needs to steal a password to gain full access to an account. Carders often use stolen passwords to log in to payment systems or online stores.
Example: A user hasn't enabled 2FA in their banking app. An attacker, having stolen the password through phishing, immediately gains access to the account and transfers funds.
How to avoid:
- Activate 2FA on all services where possible (banks, mail, online stores).
- Prefer authenticator apps (Google Authenticator, Authy) over SMS, as SMS can be intercepted through SIM card attacks.
- Use biometric authentication if available.
4. Victims of phishing attacks
Description: Phishing is a method in which attackers create fake websites, emails, or messages that mimic legitimate resources to trick users into providing card details, logins, or passwords.Why it's dangerous: Users often don't check website URLs or email senders. Fake websites can look identical to legitimate ones, causing users to enter card details, which are immediately transferred to scammers.
Example: A user receives an email, supposedly from a bank, asking them to "confirm their details" by clicking a link. The link leads to a phishing site, where the user enters their card number, CVV, and password.
How to avoid it:
- Check website URLs (e.g. https://, typos in the domain).
- Don't click links from unverified emails; instead, open the bank's website directly in your browser.
- Use antivirus software with anti-phishing protection.
5. Insecure storage of card data
Description: Users often save card details in browsers, on untrusted websites, or in unencrypted files. This leaves them vulnerable to theft via malware or data leakage.Why it's dangerous: If the site where the card details are saved is hacked, or the user's device is infected with a Trojan, carders gain direct access to card numbers, expiration dates, and CVV codes.
Example: A user saves card details in the Chrome browser without password protection. Malware reads the saved data and transmits it to attackers.
How to avoid:
- Do not save card data on websites or in browsers unless absolutely necessary.
- Use secure payment systems (e.g. PayPal, Apple Pay) that mask card details.
- Store sensitive data in encrypted form (for example, in password managers).
6. Using public Wi-Fi networks
Description: Users connect to public Wi-Fi networks (in cafes, airports) and enter card details without using a VPN or network security verification.Why it's dangerous: Attackers can create fake Wi-Fi hotspots or use man-in-the-middle attacks to intercept data, including card numbers and passwords.
Example: A user pays for an online purchase over public Wi-Fi in a cafe. An attacker intercepts card details through an unencrypted connection.
How to avoid:
- Use a VPN to encrypt your traffic on public networks.
- Avoid entering card details on unsecured networks.
- Check that the site uses HTTPS before entering data.
7. Ignoring software updates
Description: Users often delay updating their operating systems, browsers, or apps, leaving their devices vulnerable to known exploits.Why this is dangerous: Outdated software contains vulnerabilities that carders can exploit to install malware that steals card data (such as keyloggers or Trojans).
Example: A user uses an outdated browser with a known vulnerability. An attacker, via a malicious website, installs a Trojan that records card data as it is entered.
How to avoid:
- Keep your operating system, browsers, and applications updated regularly.
- Turn on automatic updates.
- Use antivirus software to protect against malware.
8. Insufficient transaction verification
Description: Users rarely check their card statements or transaction notifications, allowing carders to make small, unauthorized charges that go undetected.Why it's dangerous: Carders often start with small transactions to verify the card's validity before making larger purchases. If the user doesn't notice these charges, the fraudsters continue using the card.
Example: A fraudster uses stolen card information to make a $5 purchase. The user doesn't notice the transaction, and the carder moves on to larger charges.
How to avoid it:
- Set up real-time transaction notifications through your banking app.
- Check your card statements regularly.
- Use virtual cards for online purchases with a limited limit.
9. Disclosure of personal information on social networks
Description: Users post information on social media that can be used to answer security questions (e.g., mother's maiden name, pet's name) or for social engineering.Why it's dangerous: Carders can use this information to restore access to accounts or to conduct phishing attacks by posing as a trusted person.
Example: A user posts about their first pet on Instagram. An attacker uses this information to answer a security question and resets their bank account password.
How to avoid it:
- Limit access to personal information on social networks using private settings.
- Avoid publishing data that could be used for security questions.
- Use unique answers to security questions that are not related to real information.
10. Clicking on suspicious links
Description: Users click links in emails, instant messaging messages, or advertising banners that can lead to the installation of malware.Why it's dangerous: Malware such as keyloggers or Trojans can record entered card details, passwords, or hijack browser sessions.
Example: A user clicks a link in an email with a "special offer" and downloads a Trojan that steals card details the next time they log in to online banking.
How to avoid it:
- Do not follow links from unverified sources.
- Use antivirus software with malicious link protection.
- Check the sender of messages and avoid downloading suspicious files.
Additional factors and statistics
- Scale of the problem: According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report 2023, 74% of data breaches are due to human error, including user errors such as weak passwords and phishing.
- Carder Methods: Carders often purchase stolen card data on the darknet (prices range from $5 to $50 per card, depending on the type and limit). User errors make this data easy to access.
- Attacks on the rise: With the rise in popularity of online shopping (especially since the pandemic), carding attacks are expected to increase by 20% in 2022–2023 (according to LexisNexis Risk Solutions).
General recommendations for protection
- Education and Awareness: Regularly research cybercriminal tactics and educate loved ones about cybersecurity basics.
- Use secure payment systems: Use services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal that minimize card data transfer.
- Data Restriction: Do not provide card details on sites with dubious reputation.
- Activity Monitoring: Activate credit monitoring or data leak detection services.
- Change passwords regularly: Change passwords every 6–12 months, especially for important accounts.