What are Zombie Accounts, and how can your personal data be leaked?

Old and inactive "Zombie Accounts" can become easy targets for cybercriminals. Consequently, your personal data linked to these accounts could be leaked.

Nowadays, we create accounts on countless websites and apps. An account created for a one-time online purchase, an app trial, or short-term service usage might be forgotten later, yet it remains active on the internet. Such inactive accounts are often referred to as "Zombie Accounts." The major concern, however, is that these long-unused accounts can become easy targets for cybercriminals.

What are Zombie Accounts?

Essentially, a Zombie Account is an old online account that a user has stopped using for a long time but has not fully closed or deleted. These accounts often contain details such as your name, email, phone number, old address, profile information, and other personal data. People often create accounts on websites years ago and then forget about them. This oversight can later create problems for data security.

How can data be leaked from old accounts?

It is worth noting that if a security vulnerability arises in an online service, hackers can steal user data. If you have an old account on that platform, the information associated with it could also be leaked.

Moreover, the risk escalates if you have used the same password for that account on other websites. Once the data is stolen, cybercriminals might attempt to log into your other accounts using that same email and password.

An old password can become a major problem

Many people use the same or similar passwords across different websites. If the password for an account created years ago is leaked—and that same password is also used for your current email or social media accounts—the risk increases significantly. Therefore, old accounts are not merely dormant digital profiles; they can be linked to your current digital security.

Which accounts should you check immediately?

Start by making a list of the websites and apps you have used over the past few years. Pay special attention to old shopping accounts, forums, gaming sites, trial services, social media profiles, and newsletter subscriptions. When dealing with accounts you no longer use, simply logging out is not enough; if the platform offers a deletion option, completely deleting the account is the better choice.

Essential steps before deletion

Before deleting an old account, back up any important photos, documents, or other data stored within it. Next, remove your personal information and review details related to payments, saved cards, or other sensitive data. If you prefer not to delete the account, ensure you use a strong, unique password and enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) wherever possible.