The exposure of our information and invasion of our privacy is a stressful concern for everyone, as today’s technology-driven world makes it easy for us to be vulnerable to hacking from anywhere.
We need to be cautious everywhere because technology has become so advanced that even the sound of keystrokes on a keyboard can be used to hack with a 90% accuracy rate. Furthermore, our personal information is sold on the dark web for thousands of dollars.
Indeed, Google repeatedly warns us to be mindful of our privacy and not to log in to unauthenticated places, as this is a common way to leak our valuable data. That’s why Google has implemented specific steps to help you identify if your precious information has been compromised on the dark web.
We will guide you through these steps to ensure your security.
Time needed: 5 minutes
Here are the steps to check if your information is available on the dark web for free:
- First, go to one.google.com
- Go to the Darkweb Reports
and click on the Try now
- Click on the Rescan
In my case, it appears to be a rescan button, as I have already checked that it might be different in your case.
Remember, you can also check with different email to see which email data is available on the dark web.
- The result will be shown on the screen.
You should be concerned if your information is available on the dark web. If something other than the screenshot I uploaded is displayed, you should understand that your information has been leaked.
If you find that your information is on the dark web, there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Change your passwords. This includes the passwords for your email accounts, social media accounts, and any other online accounts you use. Make sure to use strong, unique passwords for each account.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password when you log in.
- Monitor your credit report and bank accounts for suspicious activity. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year. You should also check your bank accounts regularly for any unauthorized charges.
- Report the theft of your personal information. You can report the theft of your personal information to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
