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The dark web isn't just for hackers. Learn how stolen personal information is sold, how to spot the warning signs and how to protect yourself.
The dark web has become synonymous with stolen passwords, leaked personal information and identity theft. But despite its ominous reputation, most people don’t understand what it actually is, or what to do if their information ends up there.
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that you can only access through specialized browsers; ordinary search engines don’t work. And unlike the public web you use every day, activity on the dark web doesn’t leave a digital trail. While there are legitimate reasons for people to use the dark web (like for whistleblowing and political activism), it’s also a marketplace for stolen personal information, which means it’s important to understand how to protect yourself.
For cybercriminals, the dark web is a marketplace where stolen personal information is bought and sold. They obtain this information in different ways: breaches of company or government databases, unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, phishing scams that trick people into revealing sensitive information, or malware that infects computers and devices.
Once stolen, your information has a long shelf life and can be sold repeatedly to different buyers. And it’s surprisingly inexpensive. Cybersecurity research has found that credit card details can sell for well under $100, while larger databases can be purchased for much less per record. The fraud can occur months or even years after the original data breach, and you always need to remain vigilant.
It’s not always obvious when your personal information has been compromised. After a data breach, there may be weeks, months, or even years of silence before criminals attempt to use or sell your information.
When they do, there are often warning signs. Sometimes fraudsters test a stolen credit card by making a small purchase before attempting larger transactions, so it’s important to regularly review your credit card statements for charges you don’t recognize.
You should also watch for password reset emails or login attempts you didn’t initiate, unfamiliar accounts or credit inquiries in your name, and alerts from your bank or credit monitoring service. If you can identify potential threats early on, it may be easier to limit the damage.
If you suspect your information has fallen into the wrong hands, here’s what you can do:
For even greater protection, use Equifax Complete Protection. This digital subscription service provides dark web monitoring to find out if your provided email addresses, SIN, passport number, banking or credit card information have been compromised. Equifax Complete Protection also includes a password manager, social media monitoring, data encryption, credit monitoring, parental controls, device protection, and identity restoration in case of identity theft—all for as little as $34.95 per month.
Once your information is on the dark web, there is no removing it. This means that you will have to be extra vigilant and up your security game to avoid accounts being set up in your name by fraudsters.
The dark web is maintained by legitimate and nefarious entities for their own purposes, and is largely beyond the reach of authorities such as governments. In addition to hackers and criminals, journalists, whistleblowers, and political activists use the dark web to exchange information that authoritarian governments or other organizations want suppressed.
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