As the dark net is a hub for hackers being exposed to this environment can be highly dangerous. Any access to your personal information gives them an opportunity to exploit it. The dark net is full of complexity for the government to contain. The use of interlinked IP addresses doesn’t allow the government to keep a track of illegal activities. This can be another risk to your privacy because the government will not be well equipped for this situation. The layers of encryption, anonymous users, and no source to file a complaint make your information breach a sensitive issue. To protect your privacy from the hidden net it’s better to avoid it. In unavoidable circumstances, some measures can be taken and here we will discuss that.
What is the dark web?
It is a network of sites that uses software that restricts access to particular search engines. It has a dedicated system for buying and selling stolen financial and personal information. Easy access to Dugs, Hackers, Hitmen, Pornography, etc.
How to avoid exposure to the dark net?
You can be exposed to this hidden net in multiple ways. It doesn’t necessarily happen when you browse through it. Various malware software can do that. Taking personal measures, in that case, is important.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi. This can give access to hackers and your software can be easily corrupted. The two-factor authentication needs to be implemented. Keep a password manager to secure all your passwords. Pay attention to your accounts and the transactions that are taking place. Important documents should be shredded before deleting. Try to restrict your personal information from sites and social media platforms. This can protect you in case your account is being hacked. Your personal information will be secure.
What happens if your information gets on the dark web?
The notoriety of the dark net exposes you to a lot of dangers. You can witness the following scenarios if your information is leaked:
Access to bank account and credit card. Retrieval of important documents that you may have deleted If it’s a company, important company matters may be exposed. Use of identity by terrorists. Government can also face the threat of privacy breaches. Cybercrimes.
If your personal information makes it to the dark net:
In case you are witnessing information theft you should know that you can’t complain to a head. The dark net has no head and in such circumstances, your identity becomes more vulnerable. Some steps that you can take to protect against this identity breach are:
You need to reset the password to the account that has been breached. Use a difficult and unique password. Freeze your credit cards. In case your credit card or account number can be accessed you should contact major credit bureaus, including Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for adequate measures to be taken. In the case of a leak of your social security number, you can contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-269-0271. Look for fraudulent activity and report it at the earliest. If your email address is on the hidden net, reset the same password to a strong and unique password. Also, implement two-factor authentication. If your credit card details are on the malware software, ask your credit card company to immediately close your account. Open a new account and set up alerts for fraudulent activity.
Here is a list of companies that deal with identity theft on the dark web:
CrowdStrike Falcon X Recon. Echosec Beacon DigitalStakeout ScoutAlert Logic Dark Web Scanner. ACID Cyber Intelligence. DoNotPay
These companies may have their terms and conditions. They may also charge various amounts usually, they offer a free trial peIt depends on your preferences which scanner is more compatible for you.
In the past, the FBI has tried to contain this network. It can be a tedious task to scan through it. Though the consistent efforts of the FBI have paid off by being able to de-anonymize some networks. Since it is a highly integrated network developed in America for spies. It must have seen sophisticated regulations that prevent the identity of the people. The dark net is not a safe place for your information to be. Recently, the hacking rate in America has gone up. Eight hundred thousand people are under attack per year. It becomes your responsibility to stay alert to such malware viruses that can affect your peace of mind.
