A recent study revealed that over 15 billion credentials are in circulation via the dark web, representing a 300% increase since 2018. Available information ranges from network access credentials, banking login data, and even streaming services accounts from Netflix. According to research conducted by the cybersecurity firm Digital Shadows, part of the leaked data is even circulating for free. The report warns that the reason that so many account credentials are available online is that people are using non-complex passwords that can be easily brute-forced using hacking tools. Access to corporate networks as an open door for ransomware attacks Among …

Blockchain cybersecurity firm Unbound Tech launched a new login solution meant to enable businesses to go passwordless. According to an announcement on June 17, Unbound Tech’s new identity solution removes the dependence on traditional authentication methods with a decentralized key management system. The system can also be used to access blockchain wallets. The system is meant to replace hardware tokens, software-powered one-time-passwords and standard passwords. According to the firm, the new solution can secure high-risk operations and authenticate transactions without security, usability or cost trade-offs. Unbound Tech CEO and co-founder Yehuda Lindell told Cointelegraph that there is need for such …

A representative of LG’s information technology subsidiary, LG CNS, told Cointelegraph that blockchain-based identity systems could become the new standard for login functions. When asked about why the firm is pursuing the development of blockchain-based ID services, LG CNS said that it expects such systems to become “a hot topic for blockchain in the future.” The company also suggested that “maybe all login functions can be replaced.” As Cointelegraph reported at the end of May, LG CNS partnered with U.S. firm Evernym to develop blockchain identity technology. The two firms aim to jointly develop an international digital identity standard for …

New research by cybersecurity firm, Cyble Research Team, revealed that on May 29, data for more than 80,000 credit cards were put up for sale on the dark web. The data from these cards appears to have been gathered from various countries around the world. According to the announcement, the data leak involved credit card details from various countries, such as the United States (33K), France (14K), Australia (5K), United Kingdom (5K), Canada (2K), Singapore (1.2 K) and India (1.3K). They include both Visa and Mastercard, according to the information collected by Cyble. The price of each credit card, which …

LG has partnered with United States-based company Evernym to develop blockchain ID technology. Asian financial news outlet Aju Business Daily reported on May 26 that LG CNS — LG’s IT services subsidiary — signed a memorandum of understanding with Evernym. The collaboration between the two firms aims to develop international digital identity standards at the World Wide Web Consortium. A new identity standard for the web To establish the new standard, the two firms decided to jointly develop a blockchain-based decentralized authentication system to replace international driver's licenses and passports. Evernym already launched Sovrin, a platform aiming to enable organizations …

Ontology recently partnered with German digital identity and cloud wallet provider, Spherity, to collaborate on expediting development on digital identity solutions for products and enterprises. The partnership will see Spherity’s Cloud-Edge wallet integrate with Ontology’s (ONT) blockchain, and allow Ontology to use Spheriy’s Decentralized Digital Identity solutions. The two firms will work together on creating proof-of-concept pilots demonstrating applications for digital identity within the context of supply chain, mobility, and pharmaceuticals — leveraging Spherity’s existing customer base. Ontology and Spherity will also collaborate on research and marketing initiatives. Identity solutions target the supply chain Spherity CEO, Dr. Carsten Stöcker, told …

The major cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (BTC), continues to be actively used for illicit activity. Anonymous hackers have taken the data of over 129 million Russian car owners to expose it on the darknet in exchange for cryptocurrency. The leaked information includes the full names, addresses, passport numbers and other data belonging to millions of Russian car drivers, Russian news agency RBC reported May 15. The stolen data is claimed to be leaked from the registry of Russia’s patrol jurisdiction, the General Administration for Traffic Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. The authenticity of data has reportedly been confirmed …

The government of South Korea’s planned city Sejong — which is the country’s testing ground for major smart city solutions — announced Friday that it will be establishing a blockchain-based platform for storing and verifying the digital identities of self-driving vehicles. An Asian news outlet, Aju Business Daily, reported that South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT along with the country’s internet technology watchdog, Korea Internet & Security Agency, will be leading the development of the identity management and verification platform. According to a Sejong city official, the blockchain-based technology platform will “greatly increase the credibility of data by strengthening …

Data privacy issues have been escalating in 2020 as personal data is increasingly being used to fight COVID-19. The Linux Foundation, a non-profit technology consortium, has today announced a new data privacy project featuring dozens of cross-industry giants like Mastercard and IBM. Called the ToIP Foundation, the new data trust coalition aims to provide a trusted exchange of data over the internet and establish a global standard to ensure digital trust. Blockchain consortium R3 outlines Corda’s potential for private transactions According to a May 5 announcement, the ToIP Foundation’s participants include a wide list of companies, governments and nonprofits across …

Cryptocurrency network TemTum is partnering with identity verification service Shufti Pro to provide Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) screening services for its customers. As part of the partnership announced on April 7, Shufti Pro will verify TemTum clients' KYC data including date of birth, addresses, names, document numbers, document issue dates and expiration dates. EU’s 5th Anti-Money Laundering Initiative Compliance The partnership follows the adoption of the European Union's Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Initiative (5AMLD), which introduces new and, in some cases, tightened KYC measures on financial platforms — including cryptocurrency service providers. According to the announcement, TemTum …

Digital identity solutions are on the rise as consumers seek security and accessibility in a digitized world. A new report from 360iResearch shows that the global digital identity market is expected to have reached about $37 Million by the end of 2025. As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc, this number could grow even larger. Unsurprisingly, the trillion-dollar banking industry has already expressed interest in digital identity solutions. For example, Everest, a blockchain-based digital payments provider, has recently formed a partnership with BRI Remittance, a subsidiary of one of Indonesia’s largest banks. Everest has been collaborating with BRI to offer bank …

Students enrolled in the University of Malta’s Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies masters program have built a decentralized application (Dapp) that has been used for voting in upcoming student representative elections, per a March 28 press release. The Dapp is built on top of a decentralized digital identity platform that was provided to the students by Vodafone. The election was the first live project to be executed using Vodafone’s digital identity platform. “We are pleased to have been the first use-case for the Vodafone [digital identity] platform, and as far as we can tell a world first to hold a …