Every online action – from making a purchase to signing up for a service – creates new data points about you. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are always looking for opportunities to exploit this data. One of their primary marketplaces for trading stolen personal information is the dark web. If your data ends up there, it can be sold and misused by criminals, leading to identity theft, fraud, and a long list of other potential problems.
Fortunately, a free dark web scan can help you take the first step in protecting yourself by recognizing whether your personal information has been exposed. Whether your data was stolen in a data breach or through phishing, knowing it is on the dark web gives you the chance to act before further damage is done.
This guide explains what the dark web is and the critical steps you should take if your data is discovered — including a free dark web scan with IdentityIQ.
What is the Dark Web?
The internet can be broken down into three parts: the surface web, the deep web, and the dark web.
Level One: The Surface Web
The surface web is what most people interact with daily – websites that are indexed by search engines such as Google and are accessible to the general public. This includes news sites, social media platforms, and e-commerce websites.
Level Two: The Deep Web
The deep web consists of websites and databases that aren’t indexed by search engines, but it’s still generally legal and useful. Examples include online banking portals, private company databases, and academic research databases. You need the right credentials or permissions to access the deep web.
Level Three: The Dark Web
The dark web, however, is a lesser-known part of the deep web that requires special tools to access. It’s anonymous and often used for illegal activity. Here, cybercriminals buy and sell stolen personal information, including Social Security numbers, bank account details, passwords, and credit card information. This underground marketplace is a haven for identity theft, fraud, and other shady activities. Stolen personal information is frequently sold in bulk, putting thousands of individuals at risk in a single transaction.
The types of information commonly traded on the dark web include:
- Email addresses and passwords
- Social Security numbers
- Credit card information
- Medical records
- Bank account details
💡 Learn more: What Is a Dark Web Scan, and Why Do You Need One?
Why You Should Care About a Dark Web Scan
The dark web may seem like a mysterious corner of the internet that doesn’t impact your daily life, but in reality, it poses a serious threat to your personal information.
Cybercriminals use the dark web to buy, sell, and trade stolen data, which often includes sensitive information like email addresses, passwords, Social Security numbers, and banking details. Here’s why it’s critical to understand the risk and take action with a dark web scan.
Data Breaches and Dark Web Exposure Are More Common Than You Think
With an alarming rise in cybercrime, data breaches have become a frequent occurrence. Whether it’s from a hacked online account, a breached corporate database, or malicious phishing attacks, personal information often finds its way to the dark web after being compromised.
- 1 in 3 Americans have experienced identity theft
- Global cyberattacks have increased by 38% in recent years, putting millions of people at risk
- It’s estimated that around 80% of email data has already been leaked to the dark web, leaving a massive pool of individuals vulnerable.
The Dark Web Is Vast and Highly Active
Many people don’t realize just how extensive the dark web is. There are about 30,000 websites on the dark web, with 57% of the content being illegal. This gives cybercriminals plenty of places to buy and sell stolen information.
Your Personal Information Is a Commodity
Once your data is on the dark web, it’s a valuable asset for criminals. They can sell your private details to the highest bidder, leaving you exposed to identity theft and financial fraud.
For example, according to Insurance Business Magazine, online banking login information costs an average of $100 on the dark web. Full credit card details and associated data are sold for as little as $10 to $100, depending on the account’s available balance.
These figures highlight the economic incentive for criminals to steal and sell your data. Once your information is listed for sale, there’s no limit to how many times it can be sold and exploited, putting your financial future in jeopardy.
A Dark Web Scan: Your First Line of Defense
Performing a dark web scan is the crucial first step in identifying whether your personal information is already circulating on the dark web. This scan searches databases of known breaches and checks if your sensitive data, such as your email address, Social Security number, or financial details, are compromised.
Even if your information isn’t found in the initial scan, it’s important to stay vigilant. Data from past breaches can resurface on the dark web months or even years later. Additionally, new data breaches happen constantly, so regular scans and proactive monitoring are essential in helping protect yourself from identity theft.
Click here to get started with a free dark web scan.
What to Do If Your Information is Found on the Dark Web
Discovering that your personal information has been compromised can be alarming, but there are immediate steps you can take to help protect yourself and minimize further damage.
1. Change Your Passwords Immediately
If your passwords have been exposed, the first and most crucial step is to change them. Use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess. Strong passwords should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
You also should avoid reusing the same password for multiple accounts. Cybercriminals often try credential stuffing, where they use your compromised passwords across multiple platforms to gain access to more of your accounts.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to provide two forms of identification when logging into your accounts. Even if a hacker has your password, they still need to verify their identity using the second factor, such as a fingerprint, text message, or authentication app.
3. Monitor Your Credit and Financial Accounts
Once your data is exposed on the dark web, your financial accounts may become a target for fraud. Make it a habit to regularly monitor your bank accounts and credit reports for unusual activity. IdentityIQ offers 24/7 credit monitoring, which will notify you in real time of possible suspicious activity, such as new accounts being opened in your name or unauthorized transactions.
4. Freeze Your Credit
If you believe your Social Security number or other sensitive financial information has been compromised, consider freezing your credit with the major credit bureaus. A credit freeze prevents lenders from accessing your credit report, making it difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.
5. Enroll in Identity Theft Protection Services
The best way to protect yourself from identity theft is to enroll in a comprehensive identity theft protection service. IdentityIQ offers a full suite of services designed to monitor your identity across a variety of platforms (including the dark web), alert you to potential threats in real time, and help you recover if your identity is stolen.
Key features include:
- 24/7 credit monitoring
- Up to $1 million in identity theft insurance underwritten by AIG
- Fraud restoration services to help you recover your identity and financial standing if fraud occurs
By enrolling in IdentityIQ protection services, you can have peace of mind knowing that professionals are monitoring your information and standing by to assist you in the event of a breach.
⭐️Learn more about how IdentityIQ protects you here.
Don’t Wait—Protect Your Identity Today
A free dark web scan is a critical first step in proactively protecting your identity from the growing threats of cybercrime. By scanning for your information on the dark web, you can quickly assess whether your personal data has been exposed and take immediate action to reduce the risk of identity theft. Click here to start your free dark web scan now.
If the scan reveals that your data is at risk, don’t wait – get started today with comprehensive identity theft protection services from IdentityIQ. With 24/7 credit monitoring, up to $1 million in identity theft insurance underwritten by AIG, and expert fraud restoration services, IdentityIQ provides the tools and support you need to help safeguard your personal information and protect your future.