What is a dark web alert, and how does it work?

What is a dark web alert?

A dark web alert is a notification issued by dark web monitoring services to inform users that their personally identifiable information has been found on the dark web. Dark web monitoring services continuously scan databases for users’ personal information. Once they find a match, they issue a dark web alert to let the user know.

How detailed an alert can be depends on how much information is exposed on the dark web. Some dark web monitors will only let the user know about a match based on limited information — for instance, the database only shows which password was breached, but not for which website. Others can provide more detailed information about the extent of visible data, like the scale of the breach and when it occurred. You can set up dark web monitoring for:

• Email addresses, usernames, and passwords.
• Social Security numbers (SSN) and personal IDs.
• Credit and debit card numbers.
• Phone numbers.
• Driver’s license information.

The actual alert will vary depending on the monitoring service you pick. Some will issue push notifications and in-app alerts, while others will send an email informing you of the detected data. However, the aim is always to let you know about potentially compromised data as quickly as possible.

What is the dark web?

The dark web is a section of the internet that can’t be indexed by search engines. In fact, you often can’t even access the dark web with a regular browser. Instead, you need to use a browser like Tor and use special domains to open such sites.

The entire internet consists of three parts: surface web, deep web, and dark web. The surface web encompasses any website you can access via a search engine because it includes all indexable pages. The deep web covers websites that you can access only if you log in — think personal accounts or financial services.

The dark web is not an inherently negative or illegal concept. Such websites can be used to conduct more secure communications and maintain a higher level of privacy online. However, bad actors often use the dark web to host illicit marketplaces, coordinate accounts, and engage in criminal behavior.

This is where breached user data tends to end up. Although it can sometimes be shared for free, cybercriminals more frequently list it for profit on the digital shadow market. Due to encryption, regular users might not be able to access or check if their information is on the dark web.

The sheer volume of data also makes a manual check improbable. According to a Cybernews report, the 2024 large-scale breach known as the Mother of All Breaches encompassed 26 billion records compiled in 12 terabytes of data alone — an impossible volume of data for one person to review. Dark web monitoring services act as an effective solution by accessing the encrypted part of the internet, automatically looking for specified data, and issuing an alert when they find a match.

How do dark web alerts work?

Dark web alerts use special software to crawl encrypted websites and marketplaces for potentially compromised information. The process is automatic, beginning as soon as the user submits the information they want monitored. Some providers may conduct daily scans, while others work in the background for as long as the service is enabled. The scanner responds to recent purchases involving the information or publicly listed databases on dark web marketplaces.

Once the scanner detects a match, the alert is triggered, and the service provider immediately issues a notification to the user via a push notification, in-app alert, or email. This alert includes information about which data was found and where. For example, if your password was breached, you’ll learn which data breach it was found in and which website it correlates to. Detection alone doesn’t mean that the compromised data has been used in some way, only that it was discovered.

Breach alerts can be issued for both personal and corporate accounts. Organizations can use services that track all emails with the company’s domain, allowing them to efficiently detect and respond to potential security vulnerabilities.

Common types of dark web alerts

Dark web alerts can vary based on the type of information you want monitored and how the service provider issues them. Although many dark web monitors can track a range of different data types, others specialize in tracking specific information, like passwords or credit card numbers.

Email and password alerts

Email and password alerts are among the most common types of monitored data. They’re also some of the most likely to end up on the dark web following data breaches. If your email address or login credentials are discovered, it means your existing accounts may be at a higher risk of credential stuffing attacks.

Credential stuffing involves using a stolen username and password to log in to as many services as possible and, once a match is found, overtake the account access from the victim. Since many websites use an email address in lieu of a username, cybercriminals may effectively attempt such attacks.

Compromised email addresses found on the dark web can also be used for brute-force attacks. Cybercriminals can attempt to generate thousands of password combinations that may match the email address to access sensitive information. Users may also receive an influx of spam emails containing phishing attempts.

Credit card and financial data alerts

Financial alerts are issued for credit and debit card numbers, CVV codes, and other banking information. Credit monitoring alerts can also inform users about new, potentially suspicious activity.

Breached financial data can increase the likelihood of the user becoming a victim of identity theft. Cybercriminals can use the acquired bank account information to take out loans, make unauthorized purchases, or otherwise misuse funds. If fraud is exposed and the user can’t prove their data was compromised, they may be held responsible for these activities.

Social Security number alerts

Finding an SSN on the dark web is highly risky. Each US citizen has a unique Social Security number issued to them, and it can be changed only in exceptional circumstances. Using this data, cybercriminals can access sensitive information related to the victim’s identity, like their bank details, medical insurance, or employment benefits. Stolen SSNs can also be used to commit tax fraud, which is a federal offence.

Personal identification alerts

Some dark web monitors allow users to track their personal IDs, like driver’s licenses or passports. For instance, if someone posts a scan or the identification number of a stolen passport, the monitor will catch it and alert the user. Personal ID alerts can be harder to resolve because the user needs to physically update their documents.

Phone number and address alerts

If your home address or phone number is found on the dark web, you may be at risk of doxing because your online information may be traced to your personal identity. Cybercriminals can use it to create targeted scams for spear phishing attacks. Your phone number may also be used in SIM swapping attacks, which can put accounts with SMS-based two-factor authentication in danger.

What should you do if you receive a dark web alert?

If you’ve received a dark web alert, you can quickly jump into action to protect your personal information, prevent your accounts from being compromised, and get ahead of cybercriminals.

1. Stay calm but act quickly

A dark web alert is first and foremost a warning, not a surefire confirmation of identity fraud. Don’t panic when you get a notification — chances are, the information is freshly available, and criminals haven’t had an opportunity to misuse it yet. However, you need to work on protecting your accounts before the situation escalates.

2. Identify what information was compromised

Review all details available in your dark web report. See which data was impacted to determine how severe the impact could be. It’s possible the breached data was extracted from an old online account you no longer use or a service that doesn’t exist anymore. In that case, the information is low risk.

However, if the report lists credentials you still actively use, like your social media accounts or subscription services, or if it features personally identifiable information, you should respond promptly.

3. Change all affected passwords immediately

If the compromised passwords in your report are ones you currently use, update those accounts immediately. Ensure you create unique and strong passwords for each account. Generally, a strong password is at least 12 characters long and uses a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, as well as special characters.

Don’t reuse your passwords. If you use the same password for more than one account, its breach can have a bigger impact. If another user somewhere in the world has also set the same password and it gets breached, that endangers both of you.

To sufficiently protect each online account and keep all your passwords in check, you can use a password manager like NordPass, which lets you generate, store, and manage your login credentials easily.

4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

When you change your account password, switch on two-factor authentication in the security settings as well. 2FA is an additional security measure that requires you to verify your login attempts with a one-time code, hardware token, or biometrics. Even if someone attempts to log in to your account, they will be stumped at the 2FA step if they don’t have access to your authentication device.

It’s strongly recommended to use an authenticator app as a more reliable option. SMS authentication is prone to spoofing and can be more easily compromised, whereas authentication apps can provide additional security measures to prevent criminals from accessing your time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) without your knowledge.

5. Monitor your financial accounts

If your bank account information was compromised, start monitoring your financial activity. Check your bank statements for unusual transactions to other accounts or purchases you can’t recognize. Review your credit card report for unexpected credit score changes. Set up transaction alerts in addition to the credit card monitoring to ensure you spot suspicious activity quickly.

6. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze

Once your credit card numbers are out on the dark web, the risk of someone attempting to use them without your knowledge goes up. To avoid such incidents, you can set up a fraud alert. It lets lenders and creditors know that your credit card information may be compromised and requires them to contact you personally to complete additional verification steps before approving any requests.

Alternatively, you can lock or freeze your credit. Credit lock is a paid service that restricts what you can do with your credit account. Although you may still submit requests, you need to verify them with your credit bureau before they can be greenlit.

If you freeze your credit, the account is completely locked down, barring everyone — yourself included — from conducting any financial activities or submitting requests. Credit lock is more similar to a fraud alert — you can still use your credit account, but to a limited extent.

7. Contact affected service providers

If your personal information and documents, such as your bank and insurance details or personal IDs, are on the dark web, you must alert each relevant institution about the data breach.

Reach out to your bank to freeze your account, cancel your current debit card, and issue a replacement. Get in touch with all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — for assistance with account management and preventative measures. Inform the DMV and the FTC about stolen document information and potential identity theft.

8. Document everything

Don’t delete the dark web alert email — it’s going to be crucial proof when dealing with potential identity theft. Document all instances of suspicious activity, unauthorized attempts to access your accounts, and your correspondence with service providers and legal authorities. Having all the information gathered in one place will be tremendously helpful in resolving the data breach.

9. Report to authorities if necessary

Perhaps the most straightforward thing to do if your identity is stolen is to contact legal authorities immediately. File a police report and provide the documented evidence of identity theft. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report identity theft and to develop a recovery plan based on your circumstances.

How did your information end up on the dark web?

Unless the compromised data is linked to a specific, named data breach, it can be hard to determine how it ended up on the dark web. However, phishing attacks, ransomware, and data interception are often the culprits behind successful data theft.

• Data breaches. Websites and organizations get hacked with the intent to extract valuable user data. From there, all stolen information is placed on the dark web — often to be sold for profit.
• Phishing attacks. Social engineering attacks like phishing are designed to effectively steal users’ personal data, like login credentials or payment information. Criminals can then gather this information into data packs to increase their value and sell them in bulk.
• Malware and keyloggers. If a user accidentally downloads malware to their device, it may be able to access and steal files stored on it. Keylogger software can see all of the user’s keyboard input and help cybercriminals figure out what their passwords are.
• Public Wi-Fi hacking. Shared Wi-Fi in public spaces like cafés is unencrypted, meaning that cybercriminals can intercept your traffic and observe your personal information.
• Third-party vendors. Supply chain breaches involving third-party vendors are hard to prevent and can carry extensive consequences. Such attacks more frequently target companies.
• Credential stuffing from reused passwords. Old, unresolved breaches can lead to new, bigger attacks. If cybercriminals access unchanged compromised passwords, they can commit credential stuffing attacks to access even more accounts and gain more valuable data to sell.

How to prevent dark web alerts

Make no mistake: A dark web alert is not a bad thing. It ensures that you know when your personal security becomes vulnerable and helps you reinforce its protection. However, the best way to prevent dark web alerts is to take proactive measures to stay safe online and not give cybercriminals opportunities to steal your data directly from you.

• Use strong, unique passwords for every account. Strong passwords are harder to crack even with brute-force attacks, and keeping your credentials unique reduces the likelihood of multiple accounts getting hacked.
• Enable 2FA wherever available. With 2FA, you will always be alerted if someone tries to access your accounts without authorization.
• Be cautious of phishing attempts. Phishing is one of the most effective ways for hackers to steal personal data. Learn to identify different types of phishing attacks and avoid scam attempts.
• Keep your software updated. Routine updates help patch security vulnerabilities and protect your device from backdoor attacks.
• Use a virtual private network (VPN) on public Wi-Fi. A VPN encrypts your traffic and prevents cybercriminals from intercepting it even when you’re connected to a public network.
• Limit information sharing on social media. Cybercriminals can take advantage of information available on your social media accounts to create targeted attacks. Limit access to your accounts by setting them to private and monitoring who follows or messages you.
• Monitor your accounts regularly. Check your login history for successful and unsuccessful attempts to access your accounts, especially more sensitive ones like email or banking.
• Consider a dark web monitoring service. With a dark web monitoring service like NordProtect, you can have your sensitive information continuously monitored and learn about compromised data as soon as it’s detected.
• Freeze your credit. If you don’t plan to apply for credit, loans, or otherwise use your account, setting up a temporary freeze can help protect your financial information.

Dark web monitoring services: Are they worth it?

Dark web monitoring services can be a good reactive measure to stay safe online. Even if you put your best efforts to protect your sensitive information, accidents happen — and they can be out of your control. For instance, if a service you use is breached and your personal information is compromised, a dark web alert can help you respond more quickly and let you know about the breach faster than even the affected service.

Perhaps the best part of dark web monitoring services is automation and continuous monitoring. Dark web monitors scan the dark web 24/7, detecting breached information promptly. This saves you time by eliminating the need to manually look up sensitive data, remember all your account details, or worry about missing something crucial.

Furthermore, dark web monitoring service providers often offer expert guidance to help you respond to the data incident and resolve it effectively. Some providers, like NordProtect, include online fraud insurance coverage to help you recover if you become a victim of identity theft.

The key features you should look out for in a dark web monitor include:

• Comprehensive scanning for your accounts, credit card details, and other sensitive data.
• Real-time security alerts for newly detected breaches.
• Additional protection features, like credit monitoring or malware alerts.
• Identity theft and cyber extortion insurance.
• Post-incident recovery support.

NordProtect’s dark web monitoring is part of its comprehensive identity theft protection services. It searches for emails, SSNs, phone numbers, and credit card details on the dark web and alerts you instantly with suggestions on what you should do next. With dark web monitoring set up, you can feel safer online and be better prepared for identity threats.