Dark Web Social Security Numbers: What You Need to Know

Scams racking up many small, fraudulent charges over a short period are common and often go undetected. According to Privacy Affair’s Dark Web Price Index, right now, the cost of an SSN on the dark web is $2. A stolen SSN can put people at risk of many different forms of identity theft.

How To Protect Your SSN From Scammers And Hackers

And it comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee for annual plans, too.Protect your digital life. By combining Dark Web Monitoring with powerful device security and privacy tools, Norton™ 360 with LifeLock™ provides multilayered protection against online threats. This means if you log into your online banking profile, email, social media, or any other account while on public Wi-Fi, the information is completely open and accessible by third parties. People can also buy your personal data, like the password for online subscriptions, to use streaming accounts for entertainment. Hackers access thousands of personal information after a data breach. So, if a cybercriminal accesses enough data, they can make thousands or millions by selling on the dark web.

In today’s digital age, identity theft is a growing concern. With the rise of the dark web, it has become even easier for cybercriminals to obtain sensitive information, such as social security numbers (SSNs). In this article, we will explore what the dark web is, how SSNs end up there, and what you can do to protect yourself.

What is the Dark Web?

Monitor Your Credit Cards Religiously

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through regular web browsers. It requires special software, such as Tor, to access. The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and the sale of stolen personal information.

• Various social engineering attacks and data breaches beyond your control threaten your SSN.
• It’s easier for someone to steal your identity once your information is on the dark web.
• If your Gmail address is found on the dark web, you can set up 2-factor authentication to protect your account.
• In addition to blocking new accounts from being opened in your name, a good strategy is to closely monitor the cards you already have so that no one begins racking up charges on your legitimate accounts.
• “[One thing I learned is to] keep documentation and paperwork for everything,” said Warren, noting identity theft victims may be asked to prove the situation was sorted.
• Recent reports show that healthcare had the highest cost per stolen data in data breaches worldwide, with $429.

Found Out What’s Already Online

How do Social Security Numbers End up on the Dark Web?

There are a variety of ways that SSNs can end up on the dark web. Some of the most common include:

• Data breaches: Cybercriminals can hack into companies and government agencies to steal large amounts of personal information, including SSNs.
• Phishing scams: Cybercriminals can trick individuals into giving away their personal information, including SSNs, through fraudulent emails, texts, and phone calls.
• Skimming: Cybercriminals can install devices on ATMs and gas pumps to steal credit and debit card information, which can be used to obtain SSNs.
• Malware: Cybercriminals can use malware to infect computers and steal personal information, including SSNs.

Helpful Tips To Prevent Identity Theft Online

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk of having your SSN stolen, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances:

• Keep your personal information private: Be cautious about giving out your SSN and other personal information. Only provide it when necessary and to trusted sources.
• Use strong, unique passwords: Use a different password for each of your online accounts. Consider using a password manager to help you keep track of them.

All my information is compromised but they didn’t get my money or my medical. Because of lousy credit it cost me a small fortune to change everything. I called all agencies such as DMV, Social Security, etc. and the FBI identity theft. So far they don’t have my identity but they have all the information to do it.

• 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.
• Monitor your credit reports: Regularly check your credit reports for any suspicious activity. You can request a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year at annualcreditreport.com.
• Consider identity theft protection: There are a variety of identity theft protection services available that can help monitor your personal information and alert you to any suspicious activity.

First things first, you need to determine if your personal or company’s email, passwords, credit card numbers or other sensitive data is on the Dark Web. Thankfully, there are ways to find out without having to venture into the darkness yourself or scour nefarious search engines. With Identity Guard, you’ll also get three-bureau credit monitoring and robust protection against hackers, along with Safe Browsing tools and a secure password manager. Dark web monitoring involves scans that scour the dark web for stolen customer lists or data, employee login credentials, and the business’s email domains and IP addresses. A social security number (SSN) is a type of ID in the US that is required when filling in employment, financial, and tax forms.

FAQs

Q: Is it illegal to access the dark web?

A: No, it is not illegal to access the dark web. However, many activities that take place on the dark web are illegal, such as the sale of stolen personal information.

Q: Can I remove my personal information from the dark web?

A: No, once your personal information is on the dark web, it is difficult to remove. The best thing you can do is take steps to protect yourself and monitor your personal information for any suspicious activity.

Q: How can I tell if my SSN has been stolen?

A: If you suspect that your SSN has been stolen, you can check your credit reports for any suspicious activity. You can also request a free credit freeze from each of the three major credit bureaus, which will prevent anyone from opening new credit accounts in your name.

In conclusion, the dark web is a dangerous place where cybercriminals can obtain sensitive information, such as SSNs. While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk of having your SSN stolen, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances. By keeping your personal information private, using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, monitoring your credit reports, and considering identity theft protection, you can help protect yourself from the dangers of the dark web.