Cybercrime for Sale: Nearly 900 FortiSSL VPN Logins Auctioned for $3,000 in Global Dark Web Breach
A trove of VPN credentials, including those from Italian firms, is being sold on underground forums, spotlighting the growing professionalization of cybercrime markets.
In the shadowy recesses of the internet, a cybercrime listing has sent chills through the security community: 896 FortiSSL VPN access credentials, spanning companies from Italy to South Korea, are now up for grabs on a notorious underground forum for just $3,000. With full IP addresses and passwords in clear text, this illicit package offers a digital skeleton key to hundreds of corporate networks - proving once again that even the very tools designed to protect organizations can swiftly become their greatest vulnerabilities.
The Anatomy of a Digital Heist
The recent listing is emblematic of a disturbing trend: cybercriminal forums are becoming increasingly sophisticated, not only trading credentials but also offering tailored access to enterprise networks, FTP servers, and databases. The FortiSSL VPN bundle for sale demonstrates how attackers are targeting the very gateways that organizations rely on for secure remote work.
What makes this breach particularly alarming is the international scope. VPN access points from at least a dozen countries are included, underscoring the global nature of the threat. The credentials are sold in a format that even a novice hacker could leverage, dramatically lowering the barrier to entry for would-be attackers.
The New Face of Underground Markets
Gone are the days of clumsy data dumps. Today, sellers offer “user guarantees” and after-sale support, mimicking the customer service of legitimate businesses. This professional veneer not only attracts more buyers but also signals a maturing criminal ecosystem - one where reputation and reliability are as valued as the stolen goods themselves.
What Should Companies Do?
Experts warn that organizations - especially those identified in the leaked batch - must act decisively. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is no longer optional; it is a critical line of defense. Regular device and server updates, continuous access monitoring, and rigorous employee training can help close the gaps that cybercriminals exploit. Proactive credential management, such as regular password rotation and secure storage, is essential. Finally, frequent security audits and simulated attacks can help spot and patch vulnerabilities before they are weaponized.
