It’s 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 social media. While the internet has made life easier, we may not consider how our online activities can make personal information—such as our Social Security numbers (SSNs) or bank account and credit card numbers—vulnerable to cybercriminals on the dark web.

Fortunately, you can employ services to help you determine if your information is on the dark web and keep tabs on your sensitive information with extensive dark web monitoring.

This article explains what the dark web is, how to find out if your personal details have reached it, and how to protect your sensitive information from exposure.

Unindexed dark web

Unlike the surface web we use for things like shopping and online banking, the dark web is part of the internet that’s not indexed by search engines. This space can only be accessed using special anonymizing web browsers such as Tor, Invisible Internet Project (I2P), and Riffle.

Under this cover, cybercriminals can browse, sell, or trade on dark websites with confidence and with complete anonymity from censorship, government surveillance, and online monitoring. Because of its highly layered encryption system, hackers can communicate without giving away their location, IP address, or identity.

Dark web vs. deep web

Though often used interchangeably, the deep web and the dark web are not the same. The deep web refers to any part of the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines. This includes everyday content that is protected behind a login, such as your online banking portal, secure corporate intranets, and academic databases. The vast majority of the internet is the deep web, and it exists for privacy and security, and is entirely legal.

The dark web, however, is a small, intentionally hidden part of the deep web. To access it, a cybercriminal uses special browsers designed for maximum anonymity. While not all activity on the dark web is illegal, its untraceable nature makes it a prime marketplace for cybercriminals to sell stolen data.

Your data on the dark web

Data can end up on the dark web in several ways, including through data breaches, visiting a nonsecure website, and leaving an offline paper trail. A cybercriminal may hack into company databases and take employees’ personal data, such as email account addresses, passwords, and phone numbers. 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.

That’s why using a virtual private network (VPN) with bank-grade encryption is a good idea. Also, be mindful to visit only encrypted webpages when browsing online. Keep an eye out for URLs beginning with HTTPS rather than the old HTTP. The “S” signifies added security for you. Lastly, shred paper containing your personal information or lock it away until you can.

Kinds of data traded on the dark web

When personal data is exposed in a breach, it often ends up on the dark web, where it is bought, sold, or traded. Here are some examples of the types of data that cybercriminals profit from:

  • Login credentials: Usernames, email addresses, and passwords for various online accounts, from social media to online shopping sites
  • Financial information: Credit card numbers (with CVV codes), bank account details, and online payment service logins
  • Personally identifiable information (PII): Social Security numbers, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and passport details
  • Medical records: Health insurance information and private patient data that can be used for insurance fraud
  • Full identity kits or fullz: Comprehensive packages of personal and financial data that provide criminals with everything they need to commit identity theft or new account fraud

Find out if your information is on the dark web

For your own safety, we don’t recommend that you visit the dark web to check if your information is on it. Using dedicated monitoring services is the safest and most effective path to protection.

Dark web monitoring services actively scan the dark web, looking for the personal information you provide, such as email addresses, Social Security numbers, or credit card numbers. Using sophisticated technology, these services crawl hidden marketplaces, forums, and data dumps where stolen information is traded.

McAfee Identity Monitoring is capable of extensively monitoring up to 60 unique data types and of notifying you up to 10 months earlier than similar services. This continuous, 24/7 monitoring is far more effective than a one-time dark web scan, as it can notify you of a new breach as soon as your data appears, giving you a critical head start to secure your accounts.

In addition, you will receive up to $1 million in ID theft coverage and hands-on restoration support to help reclaim your identity.

Regularly run dark web scans

Running frequent and regular dark web scans is a smart and proactive security habit to detect whether your personal information has surfaced on hidden marketplaces or forums, giving you an early warning before serious damage can occur. Think of it as routine maintenance for your digital life.

  • When you receive a data breach notification: If a company emails you about a security incident, it’s a direct signal to check if your specific credentials from that service were exposed.
  • If you notice suspicious activity: Unfamiliar login attempts, password reset emails you didn’t request, or strange posts on your social media are all red flags. A scan can help you find out if a known leak is the cause.
  • As a proactive security measure: Even without a specific trigger, performing a periodic dark web scan or, better yet, signing up for ongoing monitoring, is a smart way to stay ahead of potential identity theft. This helps protect you before a crisis occurs.
  • If you’ve reused passwords: If you’ve used the same password across multiple sites, a breach at one site puts all the others at risk. A scan can highlight which credentials are now public.

Steps to take if your data is found on the dark web

Discovering that your personal information is on the dark web can feel alarming — but it’s not the end of the road. Taking immediate steps can help you regain control and protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, or further breaches. Here’s what to do next:

  1. Act immediately: The most important step is to act quickly. Don’t ignore the alert.
  2. Change your passwords: For any compromised account, immediately create a new, strong, unique password. If you reused that password elsewhere, change it on those accounts as well.
  3. Enable two-factor authentication: On every account that offers it, turn on two-factor or multi-factor authentication. This provides a critical second layer of security even if a criminal has your password.
  4. Monitor financial statements: If financial data was exposed, carefully review your bank and credit card statementsfor any transactions you don’t recognize and report them immediately.
  5. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze: Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your name. For even stronger protection, consider a credit freeze, which restricts access to your credit report.

Tips to keep your data from the dark web

No one wants their information to end up on the dark web. Unfortunately, you can’t remove your information once it’s on the dark web. Fortunately, there are plenty of steps you can take to help protect yourself and prevent your data from falling into the wrong hands. Aside from applying two- and multi-factor authentication and creating strong passwords, as mentioned above, you can also:

  1. Practice boundaries on social media: Shared content can tell a lot about someone. Have you ever shared the make and model of your first car, your favorite movie or band, or your high school graduation year? This information helps unsavory characters figure out online passwords and security questions.
  2. Minimize data sharing: When filling out any kind of form, only provide personal information to companies when absolutely necessary. Avoid filling out optional fields in online forms.
  3. Limit permissions to apps: A lot of cool apps out there may seem harmless. However, some malicious apps could request excessive access to your location, photos, contacts, and even microphone, collect your data and share it with others. Fortunately, Android and iPhone devices allow you to change your permission settings.
  4. Be wary of unsolicited emails: Scammers may use phishing emails to access your personal information. These emails may look legit and appear as a trusted company. If something seems amiss, such as a billing error or an invoice, log in through the company’s website rather than click links inside the email.
  5. Keep software updated: Regularly update your operating system, web browser, and other software to patch security holes that hackers could exploit.
  6. Secure your connection: Use a virtual private network (VPN), especially on public Wi-Fi, to encrypt your internet traffic and hide your activity from eavesdroppers.
  7. Shred sensitive documents: Don’t just throw away mail or documents with personal details. Shred them to prevent “dumpster diving” by criminals.
  8. Use identity protection software: Identity protection software from McAfee can help keep your information out of the hands of cybercriminals. Some features of McAfee identity protection include 24/7 identity monitoring and alerts, expert security support, scam protection and award-winning antivirus protection, a password manager, personal data cleanup, and firewall protection. Choose the plan that works best for you and keep tabs on your personal information.

The value of identity monitoring on the dark web

Given the constant threat of data breaches, dark web monitoring is a valuable layer of defense. While you can’t prevent every breach, the primary benefit of monitoring is speed. An identity monitoring solution alerts you as soon as your information is compromised, often months before you might discover it through fraudulent activity. This early warning gives you a crucial window to change passwords, freeze your credit, and protect your accounts before significant damage is done.

While there is a cost associated with these services, it is often minor compared to the financial and emotional toll of trying to recover from identity theft. For the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have constant watch over your personal data, many believe dark web monitoring is a worthwhile investment in their overall digital security.

Final thoughts

Navigating the digital world safely means being aware of risks like the dark web, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. To stay in control of your data and identity, the key is to be proactive: act swiftly if your data is found, build strong digital habits such as using unique passwords and a VPN, and use tools like dark web monitoring to stay informed.

Depending on your plan, McAfee Total Protection may include a scam detector, antivirus, identity monitoring, personal data cleanup, security freeze assistance, as well as financial coverage to help you recover. With its easy setup and extensive 24/7 monitoring, you can maintain your digital identity.