A new report has exposed a staggering 500% rise in infostealer malware attacks, with over 1.7 billion passwords leaked on the dark web in 2024 alone. Despite the growing threat, poor password hygiene continues to be a critical issue, especially among Gen Z users. Cybersecurity experts are now calling for a complete rethink of digital safety practices, urging organizations and individuals to adopt zero-trust frameworks, AI-driven defenses, and reform in user behavior.
Infostealer malware is gaining traction as a preferred tool among cybercriminals. These lightweight, silent programs are often embedded in pirated software or spread via phishing attacks. Once inside a system, they exfiltrate sensitive data including stored credentials, autofill data, cookies, and even crypto wallet details without raising alarms. This stolen information is then compiled into massive combo lists—datasets of usernames and passwords—that are sold or traded on dark web forums. These lists power credential-stuffing attacks that enable hackers to take control of accounts on a mass scale.
Underground marketplaces have reportedly listed over 100 billion compromised credentials, marking a 42% increase from the previous year. Cybercrime syndicates such as BestCombo, BloddyMery, and ValidMail have become notorious for brokering access to stolen identities, fueling everything from account takeovers to financial fraud, ransomware deployment, and corporate espionage.
Yet, despite repeated warnings, user behavior remains worryingly casual. The 2025 World Password Day Survey revealed that 72% of Gen Z users admit to reusing passwords across multiple services. Even more strikingly, 79% acknowledge the risks of reuse, while 59% continue to use the same credentials even after a breach. Shockingly, only 10% reported updating their passwords consistently after being informed of a compromise. Additionally, 38% of Gen Z respondents said they only alter one character when prompted to update a password, and 30% frequently forget their credentials—despite the availability of password recovery features and password managers.
Although 46% of Gen Z users claim to use password managers, their actual habits—like sharing credentials via body text, screenshots, or in conversation—undermine any security those tools provide. This gap between intention and action continues to weaken overall cyber defense.
On the enterprise front, the situation is no better. According to a cybersecurity expert, 27% of businesses still do not enforce basic password policies. Even among organizations that do, users often respond to frequent password change requirements with insecure workarounds, such as reusing slightly modified passwords.
A data privacy solicitor commented, “If your system allows users to bypass complexity rules or reuse old passwords, your policy is meaningless,” she warned.
Experts also note that even strong password practices can't address all threats. Vulnerabilities like device-level breaches, session hijacking, and social engineering tactics necessitate broader security strategies. Resta advises that organizations should go beyond password policies and invest in multi-layered defenses:
“Organizations must maintain robust incident response plans alongside 2FA, AI-driven anomaly detection, and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA).”