Should You Use Dark Web Scanning to Protect Your Identity?
Identity theft is such a growing problem that it has become almost routine – in recent years, Marriott, MyFitness Pal, LinkedIn, Zynga and even Equifax (as in all countries) have experienced major data breaches on the Internet, affecting hundreds of millions of people. To help combat this problem, Experian and other companies are conducting “dark web scans” to prevent data leaks. But what is darknet scanning and do you need it?
Dark Web Explanation
The dark web is a large, hidden network of websites that are not indexed or found by regular search engines. It is also a hub for illegal activities, including the buying and selling of stolen financial and personal information. If your information goes to dark websites after a data breach, an attacker could use that data to open credit cards, obtain loans, or withdraw money from your bank account.
How dark web scanning works
The dark scan will scan the dark web to see if identity, bank account and social security numbers are being transferred. If you test positive, the dark scan service will prompt you to change passwords, use stronger ones, or freeze credit profiles at three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). A negative search result, of course, doesn’t necessarily mean that you haven’t had a data breach, as no company can search the entire dark web.
Many of these services offer you free scans, but they only cover certain information such as phone numbers, passwords, and social security numbers. Whether you want to set up alerts or search for other information such as bank account numbers, passports or driver’s licenses, or access credit reports (which are already free ), these services usually charge a monthly fee (Experian offers this for $ 9.99 at month after 30 days free trial).
Is it worth paying to scan on the dark web?
Not necessary. A dark scan will only show that your personal information is on the dark web. The most effective measures to protect yourself (canceling cards, changing your password, freezing a loan) are free – you don’t have to pay the company for it if you don’t want to delegate the hassle. And given the large number of data leaks, it’s actually easier and cheaper to assume your information has been compromised and to practice good privacy habits like changing your password frequently.
In an interview with NBC News’ Better, Neil O’Farrell, executive director of the Theft Detection Council, called darknet scanning a “deal of smoke and mirrors” that does not “address the root cause of the problem, namely vigilance.” awareness, taking care of your personal information, freezing your credit. “
It is also important to understand that the dark web is just one way to sell stolen personal data, as identity thieves can just as easily obtain this information through phishing or theft of your mail. Of course, a monitoring service doesn’t hurt if you’re looking to spend the extra money on alerts – just remember that you can proactively monitor and prevent identity theft for free , and that dark web scanning won’t provide complete protection. If you suspect a data breach, check out this Lifehacker post on what to do.