What to Do If my Personal Data is Found on the Dark Web?

What if you see the notification "Massive data breach exposes millions of personal records?" Some of us will definitely lose our nerves!

In the first half of 2022, the Dark Web revealed more than 15 billion stolen credentials.

But, do not panic. 

In this guide, we'll walk you through the measures you should take if your personal information has been hacked to protect your identity and reduce potential threats.

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a hidden area of the internet that is not indexed by conventional search engines and can only be accessed via specialized browsers. It supports both legal and unlawful activity, providing anonymity but also introducing concerns such as scams and illicit content. 

People get to the dark web to be anonymous while engaging in activities such as private chats, drug trafficking, and political protest organizations. The dark web has marketplaces for illegal goods and services, including spyware and ransomware.

How Can I Check if My Data is Posted on the Dark Web?

Unfortunately, there is no way to determine whether your data is on the Dark Web. 

The Dark Web is an area of the internet that cannot be found using normal search engines. This makes it difficult to track and scan for personal information.

It is critical to understand that even if your data is not now on the Dark Web, it can be compromised in a future data breach. 

As a result, it's essential to take proactive steps to secure your personal information, such as using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and practicing caution when sharing sensitive information online. 

What Should I Do to Protect My Personal Information from Dark Web Leaks?

Even if you are unable to remove all traces of your data from the dark web, you can take action to reduce risk. To prevent fraudulent people from using your data, you can take the following steps:

Use Strong Passwords

Create a strong password that cannot be easily guessed, or use a password manager. Avoid using similar passwords for multiple accounts.

Set Multi Factor Authentication

Even if your login and password are exposed on the dark web, using MFA can help keep strangers from accessing your account.

Add SIM-Swapping Protection

SIM swapping occurs when a criminal steals your phone number by deceiving a carrier personnel. Use the SIM swapping protection feature to avoid anyone accessing your data.

Be Wary of Social Engineering Attacks

Be cautious when sharing information online, avoid dubious links, and stay away from viral posts that pose security issues.

Freeze Your Credit

Freezing your credit reports can help prevent someone else from creating an account in your name.

How Did My Information Appear on the Dark Web?

Here are some common ways your information could have landed on the dark web:

Data Breaches

Many firms have had data breaches, exposing millions of customers' personal information. This can contain names, addresses, SSNs, credit card information, and so on.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks frequently deceive people into disclosing personal information by imitating legitimate businesses such as banks or government agencies.

Malware Infections

Malicious software can take data directly from your device, such as keystrokes or saved passwords.

Social engineering

Hackers can trick people into disclosing critical information via social media or other internet channels.

Compromised Websites

If you visit a compromised website, your information can be taken.

Is It Possible to Remove My Information from the Dark Web?

No, you cannot entirely delete your information from the dark web because the dark web is a decentralized network. 

Once information is uploaded to the dark web, it can be replicated and distributed across multiple servers, making it nearly impossible to completely wipe it. 

While there are services that claim to erase data from the dark web, their success is limited and frequently short-term.

Secure Your Data from Doxxers With PurePrivacy

Cybercriminals frequently influence you into disclosing critical information or taking activities that jeopardize your security. PurePrivacy is a comprehensive solution for protecting your data from these deceitful threats.

• Dark Web Monitoring: Scan your personal information if it is leaked to the dark web.
• Tracker Blocker: Prevent websites and third-party trackers from data collection.
• Remove My Data: Send recurring opt-out requests to data brokers.
• Social Privacy Manager: Get improved privacy settings suggestions on your social media accounts to decide what information is available to others.

Monitor the Dark Web to Prevent Identity Theft

Get notified about your compromised data to take prompt action, such as changing passwords or protecting accounts, which reduces the risk of identity theft.

Block Unwanted Website Trackers

Protect yourself from targeted advertising and unwanted access by blocking websites from gathering your personal information without your permission.

Send Automated Opt-Out Requests

Automatically remove your data from unwanted sites by sending automated data removal requests to prevent hacking and data breaches.

Manage Social Privacy Settings

Customize your privacy settings on all social media platforms, ensuring that your personal information is only shared with people you trust.

In Conclusion!

Cybercrimes are an emerging threat these days, and there’s no surefire way to stop online threats. To stay secure, use strong, unique passwords, be wary of unfamiliar emails, and keep your software up to date.

If you want to keep your data even more secure from potential cyber threats, you can use PurePrivacy with a VPN. Stay away from malicious actors and online scams using our powerful privacy features.