{"id":150721,"date":"2022-06-06T15:38:25","date_gmt":"2022-06-06T22:38:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=150721"},"modified":"2022-08-22T15:55:28","modified_gmt":"2022-08-22T22:55:28","slug":"a-guide-to-finding-out-if-your-information-is-on-the-dark-web","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/tips-tricks\/a-guide-to-finding-out-if-your-information-is-on-the-dark-web\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Finding Out If Your Information Is on the Dark Web"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s difficult to imagine what life was like before the internet. We log in daily to pay bills, shop, watch movies, and check out what friends and family are up to on <\/span>social media<\/span>. While the internet has made life easier, we may not consider how our online activities can make personal information \u2014 such as our <\/span>Social Security numbers<\/span> (<\/span>SSNs<\/span>) or <\/span>bank account<\/span> and <\/span>credit card numbers<\/span> \u2014 vulnerable to <\/span>cybercriminals<\/span> on the <\/span>dark web<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, you can find out if your information is on the <\/span>dark web<\/span> and keep tabs on your <\/span>sensitive information<\/span> with extensive <\/span>dark web monitoring<\/span>, offered through McAfee\u2019s <\/span>Identity Protection services<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This article explains what the <\/span>dark web<\/span> is, how to find out if personal details have reached the <\/span>dark web<\/span>, and how to protect your <\/span>sensitive information<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the <\/span><\/b>dark web<\/span><\/b>?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

Unlike the <\/span>surface web<\/span> we use for things like shopping and <\/span>online banking<\/span>, the <\/span>dark web<\/span><\/a> is <\/span>part of the internet<\/span> that\u2019s not indexed by <\/span>search engines<\/span>. It can only be accessed with special <\/span>web browsers<\/span>. A few widely known networks include <\/span>Tor<\/span>, I2P, and Riffle.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cybercriminals<\/span> can browse, sell, or trade on <\/span>dark websites<\/span> with confidence and complete anonymity. Because of its highly layered encryption system, <\/span>hackers<\/span> can communicate without giving away their location, <\/span>IP address<\/span>, or identity.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How does data end up on the <\/span><\/b>dark web<\/span><\/b>?<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

Data can end up on the <\/span>dark web<\/span> in several ways, including through <\/span>data breaches<\/span><\/a>, using public Wi-Fi, visiting a nonsecure website, and leaving an offline paper trail.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A cybercriminal<\/span> may hack into company databases and take <\/span>personal data<\/span>, such as <\/span>email account<\/span> addresses, passwords, and <\/span>phone numbers<\/span>. And while we all love to work at our favorite coffee shop, using an unsecured Wi-Fi network can leave our personal information in public view.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why using a virtual private network (<\/span>VPN<\/span>) like <\/span>McAfee Secure <\/span><\/a>VPN<\/span><\/a>, which comes with bank-grade encryption to scramble your data, can be a good idea. You\u2019ll also only want to visit encrypted <\/span>webpages<\/span> when browsing online \u2014 keep an eye out for URLs beginning with HTTPS rather than HTTP. The \u201cS\u201d means added security for you. Lastly, shred paper containing your personal information or lock it away until you can.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to find out if your information is on the <\/span><\/b>dark web<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

With identity monitoring through McAfee Identity Protection, you\u2019ll receive <\/span>notifications<\/span> if we find your personal information on the <\/span>dark web<\/span>. Our extensive <\/span>monitoring service<\/span> keeps tabs on up to 60 unique types of personal data and can notify you up to 10 months sooner than similar services. Plus, you get peace of mind with up to $1 million of ID theft coverage and hands-on restoration support to help reclaim your identity after <\/span>identity theft<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you remove your information from the <\/span><\/b>dark web<\/span><\/b>?<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

While you can\u2019t remove your information once it\u2019s on the <\/span>dark web<\/span>, there are plenty of steps you can take to help protect yourself and prevent your data from falling into the <\/span>wrong hands<\/span>. You can:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n