Google Has Shut Down Its Dark Web Monitoring Tool, so Here’s What You Can Use Instead.
Another Google tool is being shut down: the dark web monitoring tool , launched in March 2023, will be shut down on February 16. According to Google, feedback about the feature indicated that it “didn’t provide useful next steps”—meaning, while it alerted users that their data had been leaked, it wasn’t clear what to do about it. Google is now shifting its focus from the dark web monitoring tool to features like online security checkups and password protection . In other words, instead of alerting you when your account credentials have been exposed in a data breach, Google wants to ensure your accounts remain secure even in the event of a breach.
However, there are reasons why you should monitor dark web discussions, and now that Google has abandoned that task, there are tools that can take over the monitoring.
What is the dark web—and why should I monitor it?
Essentially, the darknet is an online space that can’t be accessed simply by opening a web address in a browser. Accessing and navigating the darknet requires specialized software and a certain amount of technical knowledge. It is largely hidden from the outside world through encryption and redirects. Why such secrecy? The darknet is used to evade both law enforcement and government authorities, making it an ideal place to carry out illegal activities and to circumvent the mechanisms of repressive states that implement total surveillance. It is a place where both hackers and informants can gather.
Speaking of hackers, leaked data often ends up on the dark web, where it’s shared or given away for free. Whether it’s your email address, phone number, Social Security number, or passwords, if this data has been compromised in a hack , you’re much more likely to find it on the dark web than on Reddit.
Darknet monitoring tools, like the one Google recently shut down, are designed to alert you if your data has been breached. You can then take appropriate action, such as contacting your bank to check for signs of identity theft or changing your email password.
Having a dedicated tool for this task saves you from having to scour the dark web yourself—which isn’t particularly easy or enjoyable—and while Google may be shutting down its monitoring service, you have several alternatives you can turn to.
The best darknet monitoring tools you can try.
Proton is popular among privacy-conscious enthusiasts , and this privacy-focused company also offers its own dark web monitoring tool. However, accessing it requires a paid plan, starting at $12.99 per month or $119.88 per year, which includes numerous benefits across all Proton products. You can find it in the “Security & Privacy” sidebar in the Proton Mail app.
Proton uses various intelligence datasets in its darknet mining operations, tracking details such as email addresses, usernames, dates of birth, physical addresses, and IDs. Leaks are categorized based on the urgency of action required, and Proton does not share your data with third parties.
Trend Micro has a data leak detection tool that covers the dark web, which is free to use and doesn’t even require account registration—though it only checks for mentions of your email address or phone number in leaks. For more comprehensive scanning and alerts, you can sign up for a premium account for $9.99 per month or $49.99 per year—and it includes much more than just dark web monitoring.
Keeper Security takes a similar approach with BreachWatch : you can quickly check for data breaches, including your email address, without paying or registering. However, if you want more advanced features (including proactive alerts), you’ll need a $24.99/year subscription. This feature can also be added to any other paid Keeper plan.
If you currently pay for a security product, such as a password manager or VPN , it’s likely that darknet monitoring is included—so check your existing subscriptions. For example, the Surfshark Alert darknet monitoring tool is included in the Surfshark One VPN package, which starts at $17.95 per month or $40.68 per year.