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Discovering that your phone number has been found on the dark web can be alarming. However, it’s essential to take immediate action to protect yourself from potential harm. In this article, we’ll discuss what to do if you find your phone number on the dark web and how to safeguard your personal information moving forward.
What To Do If My Info Is On The Dark Web
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access. It’s often associated with illegal activities, such as buying and selling stolen personal information, including phone numbers.
How Did My Phone Number End Up on the Dark Web?
There are several ways your phone number could have ended up on the dark web, including:
- Data breaches: Hackers can steal personal information from companies and sell it on the dark web.
- Phishing scams: Scammers can trick you into giving them your personal information through fake emails or text messages.
- Social engineering: Scammers can use social media to gather personal information about you and use it to impersonate you or steal your identity.
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What to Do If You Find Your Phone Number on the Dark Web
If you find your phone number on the dark web, take the following steps:
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- Change your passwords: Start by changing the passwords of all your online accounts, especially those associated with your phone number.
- Contact your phone provider: Let your phone provider know that your phone number has been found on the dark web. They can help you take steps to protect your account, such as adding extra security measures or changing your phone number.
- Monitor your accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank accounts, credit card statements, and other financial accounts for any suspicious activity.
- Consider identity theft protection: Consider signing up for an identity theft protection service, which can help you monitor your personal information and alert you to any potential threats.
It’s a simple, streamlined way to protect your passwords and the accounts they access. And make sure you’re not using your old, stolen password; it’s also a good idea to change your security questions for the compromised account. A fraud alert is a good precaution to take if you’re worried about potential misuse of your personal information. You only need to notify one credit bureau to activate one, and it’s only slightly more time-consuming to deactivate fraud alerts than it is to put them in place.
However, the constantly evolving nature of the Dark Web, along with the challenges of tracking and identifying individuals, makes it a complex and ongoing battle. The unfortunate truth is that everyone is at risk of identity theft. To lock your SIM, you’ll need to contact your cell phone provider and ask them to set a custom PIN to lock and unlock your SIM. If a scammer has already used your SSN to open new accounts, contact the companies immediately.
How to Protect Yourself from Future Threats
To protect yourself from future threats, follow these best practices:
- Use strong, unique passwords: Use a different password for each of your online accounts, and make sure they are strong and unique.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message or fingerprint.
- Be cautious of phishing scams: Be wary of unsolicited emails or text messages, especially those asking for personal information or containing suspicious links.
- Limit the amount of personal information you share online: Be careful about what personal information you share on social media or other online platforms.
- Consider a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) can help protect your online privacy by encrypting your internet connection and hiding your IP address.
Although 2FA generally makes accounts more secure, they may be compromised if your phone number is freely available on the Dark Web. Identity thieves can intercept 2FA messages sent to your number and then muscle into your accounts. Scammers only need a phone number to propagate their scams and phishing schemes. They may pose as FBI or IRS agents in attempts to steal your money or personal information. Other phone scams involve car warranties or promises of free vacations and iPhones.
There are different tools you can use to see if your information is on the dark web, has been leaked in a data breach or is easily accessible on the surface (in other words, not dark) web. Experian’s free dark web scan can look for your email address, phone number and Social Security number, and Experian’s personal privacy scan can search for your information on people finder sites. No, you generally won’t be able to remove your information from the dark web. You can protect yourself in other ways if your information is on the dark web, though. Enable two-factor authentication, use unique, complex passwords, and even request a credit freeze if you’re at risk of identity theft. Every Aura plan also includes antivirus protection, Safe Browsing tools, and three-bureau credit monitoring with the fastest and most reliable fraud alerts.
FAQs
These databases are often acquired by cybercriminals looking to profit from identity theft, fraud, and other illicit activities. It’s important to note that the Dark Web is just one part of the larger deep web, which includes websites and content that are not indexed by traditional search engines. The deep web itself is not inherently illegal, as it also includes legitimate platforms like online banking portals, restricted access websites, and private company networks.
Q: What should I do if I find my phone number on the dark web?
A: Change your passwords, contact your phone provider, monitor your accounts, and consider identity theft protection.
Should I be worried if my email is on the dark web?
If your email address is circulating on the Dark Web, it's almost certainly due to a data breach. The problem is that the average internet user doesn't use the Dark Web — and therefore doesn't know if their data is compromised.
Q: How did my phone number end up on the dark web?
A: Your phone number could have been stolen in a data breach, obtained through phishing scams or social engineering, or sold by someone who had access to your personal information.
- You can check this by clicking on the padlock icon next to the address bar.
- You need to add the Google Authenticator app to your phone and verify it.
- That person, “appears repeatedly exposed through work-related leaks of code and information, including contact details.”
- Mozilla educates users on various topics relating to cybersecurity and data breaches—how hackers work, how to avoid hacks, how to create strong passwords, and more.
- Enabling two-factor authentication means a password alone isn’t enough to access your account, so even if a password falls into the wrong hands, a bad guy can’t get in.
- MFA should be an integral part of our online security at all times, not only when we’re faced with a breach.
Q: Can I remove my phone number from the dark web?
A: Once your phone number is on the dark web, it’s challenging to remove it. However, taking the steps outlined in this article can help protect you from potential harm.
Q: How can I protect myself from future threats?
A: Use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, be cautious of phishing scams, limit the amount of personal information you share online, and consider using a VPN.
How do you know if your identity is on the dark web?
Run a free Dark Web scan
Instead, a free Dark Web scanner can search countless Dark Web pages and marketplaces for your personal information. This is a good place to start — however, free scanners only check for email addresses (and sometimes phone numbers).
