Now Your Data is on the Dark Web - What's Next?

No one sleeps with two eyes shut knowing that the nefarious part of the internet has their data.

Whether you're a civilian navigating your lowkey life or a 6+ figure key figure, the tension always manifests itself.

If this is you, telling you not to worry could send us through the cloud; just a packed punch.

But now that your sensitive data is out there on the dark web, what's the course of action?

Protect yourself, digitally.

How? Two factor authentication, changing passwords, and many other practices.

Here’s why: even if the bad guys have your data, what they can do is limited when you protect yourself digitally.

It’s just like an emergency barricade to prevent whatever they throw at you when you’re not looking..

We won't waste time; let's look at what it means to have your data online in the dark web, how to check whether you are affected, and what to do next in detail.

The dark web in a nutshell

The dark web is a part of the internet that cannot be accessed with usual search engines like Google.

It’s nothing like the websites you visit in your daily life (surface web), or online banking and websites with private databases (deep web).

In fact, the dark web is intentionally hidden and you can only use special tools to access it, TOR.

Most people navigate to dark web sites using the Tor network which anonymizes users and site operators.

The dark web sites will have an address that ends with ".onion" and not ".com".

So, how do people search for things on the dark web?

There are specific dark web search engines that help you.

And why dark web, if you ask.

They have some valid uses like protecting whistleblowers and endangered people.

However, this part of the internet is mostly known for seedy behaviour like selling stolen information, illegal drugs or hacking tools.

This is why it is considered a dangerous and secret place.

Keep in mind, simply visiting the dark web is legal, but you may face repercussions if your activities there are not legitimate.

Be careful and also know the laws in your country before going into the dark web. Visiting some of the sites within can potentially get you in trouble.

How does one’s personal information get to the dark web?

Your personal data may appear for sale on the dark web in a number of ways, some that are completely out of your control and some derived from directly deceiving you.

Here are the more common ways this occurs.

1. Data Breaches:

Hackers target businesses, organizations and government agencies to acquire private and sensitive information.

As always, these consist of email addresses, passwords, payment details and Social Security Numbers.

When these attacks are successful, the stolen data is often sold in bundles in dark web marketplaces which can place millions of users at risk.

2. Phishing Attacks:

Cyber criminals send engaging and cunning emails or texts masking them like they’re from trusted sources like banks or friends.

These often included fake login webpages or malicious links that use the phishers fake identity to steal your credentials.

Once they obtain your username and password, they can sell or trade your access with ease on the dark web.

3. Data Broker Websites:

Data brokers put together pieces of your personal information from public records, online shopping and social media to build detailed profiles.

These profiles can be legally sold to marketers, but may also be re-sold by less honorable purchasers or posted on the dark web.

4. Malware Infections:

Malicious software can be responsible for stealing personal information from your devices.

Some malware, like keyloggers, will keep track of everything you type, including passwords and credit card numbers.

Other malware types may search your device for files, images or saved documents which contain sensitive material.

Once a computer is infected it becomes a valuable source of information for criminals looking to sell it on the dark web.

5. Public Wi-Fi Connections:

When you use unsecured public Wi-Fi, anything you send, including passwords, credit card numbers and even personal emails is vulnerable to interception by attackers.

Once the data is stolen, it can typically be packaged together and sold on dark web marketplaces.

6. Social engineering and Scams:

Sometimes, hackers don't have to hack anything at all; they only have to trick you into voluntarily giving up sensitive information.

What could be a fake tech support call, fake prize notifications, and scams can collect information that can be sold, or used for identity theft.

Real-World Data Breach Case Studies

Data breaches aren't imaginary threats; they happen every day and impact millions of people.

Here are a few examples that show how personal information is available to criminals:

The Yahoo Disaster

In 2016 Yahoo disclosed that hackers had stolen data for over one billion accounts in August 2013.

The hackers got user names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, hashed passwords, security questions, and more.

This is one of the largest known breaches in the history of the internet.

PowerSchool Student Data Breach

PowerSchool supports over 60 million students in K–12 schools and there was a breach in December 2024.

The bad guys got student and teacher data, then used it to extort several school districts.

They stole names, addresses, birth dates, Social Insurance Numbers, health concern alerts and other personal data.

Yale New Haven Health System Cyber Attack

In this health breach, hackers stole sensitive personal data including names, birth dates, addresses, Social Security numbers, and medical record numbers.

Data in electronic health records are worth a lot more on the dark web than other personal records, since they can be used for: stealing identities, insurance fraud, and extorting victims.

How to check if your information is on the Dark Web: What confirms it

There are dark web monitoring solutions that will let you find out without having to go all the way into the dark web yourself.

Let’s check it out:

Free Checking Options

“Have I Been Pwned” is a widely known free service that allows you to check an email address against known breached accounts.

You simply put in your email address in the appropriate placeholder and it will tell you if that address has appeared in a known data breach.

Moreover, if any passwords associated with the email address were leaked, you will get the report too.

Have I Been Pwned does not check anything besides email address. That means, it does not check sensitive information like social security numbers or your home address.

This is where Full Monitoring comes in handy

Full Monitoring

If you want to be fully covered, you may use services such as ExpressVPN's ID Alerts.

This service will monitor various locations on the dark web or any dark web source for you.

It will let you know if your name, address, social security number, etc. have been seen for sale.

The advantage of ongoing monitoring over one-time scans is that you'll get automatic alerts if your information shows up later.

The perk? You get notified early and take action quickly.

Signs of Trouble

While there are tools available to monitor the dark web, there are a few red flags you can watch for without any special tools:

Suspicious Credit Activity

Criminals who buy stolen financial data often will open new accounts in the victims name.

Check your credit reports regularly for loans, credit lines, or purchases you didn't authorize.

Unusual Account Notifications

You may receive alerts about failed login attempts to accounts you have not attempted to login to.

Unauthorized password change; Unusual transactions that you do not recognize. Those could indicate a compromised credential.

Reactive Password Issues

Lockouts of accounts; having to reset passwords frequently without direct action could indicate unauthorized attempts.

Next Steps if Your Data is on the Dark Web

Do you believe your information is being sold on the dark web based on the red flags we mentioned?

Here are your next actionable steps to mitigate and protect yourself from this threat:

1. Freeze your credit reports immediately

One of your best defenses against identity theft is to freeze your credit.

When you freeze your credit report, lenders are unable to access your report and approve any new applications.

This makes it nearly impossible for a criminal to open up accounts in your name.

You will pretty much have to contact each of the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) separately in order to place freezes.

The good news is that you will keep the ability to check your own credit reports anytime you want and existing lenders will continue to manage their existing accounts for you.

2. Change all of your passwords right now

If your credentials leaked, you must assume that someone will use them. You should change the passwords immediately for all of your important accounts starting with:

• Banking and financial services
• Email accounts
• Social media accounts
• Shopping accounts with payment information stored.

You must make each password sufficiently complex and unique, not reusing old passwords or making slight variations to them.

You may want to use a password manager, like ExpressVPN Keys, which allows you to generate and store strong passwords securely.

3. Turn on two-factor authentication everywhere

Two-factor authentication (2FA) creates a vital second layer of security.

Even if a criminal has your password, they still need to access your phone or authenticator app to gain entry.

Turn on 2FA for every single account that offers it, concentrating your efforts on your most sensitive accounts first.

4. Notify Your Bank and Credit Card Companies

You must contact your banks and/or financial institutions immediately after you confirm your credentials on the dark web.

Don’t wait until you see any fraudulent activity.

Many banks offer enhanced monitoring services for people whose data has been compromised.

And if you see fraudulent activity on your accounts, then you should report it right away.

Most credit cards will cover fraudulent purchases, but usually they require that you report it right away for it to be covered!

5. Report Identity Theft to Appropriate Authorities

If your identity has been stolen, reporting it to the appropriate authorities will not only help. It will further protect you against liability for any debts or crimes carried out in your name.

So who do you report to?

Here are prominent bodies to table your reports:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): You can report identity theft and create a recovery plan using their dedicated website IdentityTheft.gov.
• Local Police: When you report identity theft to the police is important because this documentation will become legal evidence in case of a dispute against a creditor for fraudulent accounts in the end.
• Credit Bureaus: In addition to freezing your credit files, you should have them put fraud alerts on your file, alerting lenders to verify your identity before opening new credit accounts.

6. Monitor All Accounts Closely

Be on the lookout for anything strange on all accounts- not just financial accounts. You should create a routine check that includes:

• Bank and credit card statements for unfamiliar charges
• Checking for new beneficiaries on financial accounts
• Any suspicious direct messages or posts on social media
• Checking account settings were not changed in any way by a criminal

You must also consider work accounts or specialized services you may use regularly.

Being diligent in your account monitoring will help you discover fraud sooner when it is easier to remedy.

7. Scan Your Devices For Malware

Changing passwords isn’t going to go far if malware is stealing your information in the background.

Run scans on all your devices to look for malware using reputable anti-malware software.

Also check the programs and apps that are installed:

• Delete anything you don’t remember installing.
• Uninstall applications you don’t use.
• Be aware of programs asking for unusual permissions.

How to Avoid Future Data Exposure

Now that you have dealt with the immediate concern, it’s time to build stronger defenses for the future.

Here is how to make yourself a much tougher target:

Use a Reliable VPN for All Internet Activity

A trusted VPN, such as ExpressVPN, will encrypt everything you do online making it unreadable to anyone who wants to intercept your traffic.

This makes a difference on public WiFi where criminals try to steal your data.

When using a VPN you will have not only encryption, but your IP Address is disguised, which also prevents websites, advertisers, or your Internet provider from tracking your activity.

Create Comprehensive Account Monitoring

Set account activity alerts for all of your important accounts.

You can set alerts for new logins, password changes, or suspicious activity/unknown login attempt in most of your banking apps/common Social media platforms.

To protect yourself even more, consider signing up for dark web monitoring services that will continually search known breach databases for your personal information and automatically notify you if anything shows up.

Be Extra Careful with Links and Attachments

Phishing is still one of the easiest ways that cybercriminals can steal your data.

Be careful of surprising links or attachments in emails, texts, or direct messages—even when emails appear to be from people that you actually know.

It's worth remembering that friends or family could have had their accounts compromised and attackers can ultimately count on you trusting the familiar name.

So, if you're not sure—don't click.

Create Separate Email Accounts for Different Uses

If you use your main email address for everything, it has created a single point of failure.

Consider creating throwaway email addresses for:

• Online registration and newsletters.
• Contest entries.
• One time single purchases from unfamiliar websites.
• Anytime that you don't fully trust the receiving party.

If any of these alternate addresses get compromised, you can simply abandon the address without affecting your primary accounts.

Consider Email Masking Services

Email masking allows you to create unique, privacy-focused email aliases that will simply forward to your main email inbox.

This means you hide your real email address from websites that you don't completely trust, while also reducing your exposure if they do expose your alias in a breach.

Legal and Safe Alternatives for Staying Protected

Instead of simply wishing for the best, take a more proactive approach to monitoring and protecting your data.

Professional Identity Monitoring Services

ExpressVPN's ID Alerts: Monitor dark web sources, Social Security number use, and address changes.

Credit Monitoring: Services such as Credit Karma monitor your credit for free and alert you to new accounts or inquiries.

Bank Alerts: Most banks have options for free transaction alerts (text or email) for accounts.

Privacy-Focused Tools and Services

Password Managers: Secure password managers such as ExpressVPN Keys create unique passwords and save them securely.

Browsers: Privacy-friendly browsers such as Brave block trackers and ads by default.

Encrypted Communications: Use encrypted messaging apps such as Signal for conversations that require some level of privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I panic if my information is on the dark web?

While it is serious news, you shouldn't panic.

It is important to take damage control steps: determine what information was revealed, scan your accounts for suspicious activity, change passwords for compromised accounts, and report serious issues to authorities.

How serious is it if my Social Security number is available on the dark web?

This is one of the most severe exposures someone can have.

Your Social Security number can easily be used for complete identity theft—tax theft, loans in your name, new credits, and large purchases.

If you learn your Social Security number has been compromised, be proactive and take measures to protect yourself.

Can someone steal my identity with just my email address?

Not necessarily, but your email address will inevitably be the start of things.

Since your email addresses are typically linked somehow to your banking, shopping, and personal accounts, and if criminals have your passwords, they will also try to access your accounts.

Is it safe to search to see if my data has been compromised on the dark web?

Yes, if you are using legitimate monitoring sources. Use only trusted sites such as Have I Been Pwned or ExpressVPN's ID Alerts (some monitoring services are suspect and you want to protect your data).

What is a credit freeze and fraud alert?

In a credit freeze, you are completely blocking new credit requests in your name.

In a fraud alert, you are telling creditors that they should take additional steps to verify your identity before issuing new credit.

You need to initiate the freeze process at every credit bureau, but you can set one fraud alert and the others will be notified.

Can I remove stolen information on the dark web?

Once information is out there, it is near impossible to take it back.

The reason for this is because the dark web is decentralized and anonymous, so there is no one to contact.

Your best strategy is damage control, which involves changing passwords, freezing credit, and continually monitoring accounts.

Does a VPN protect against the dark web?

A VPN will not remove your data from the dark web, but it does help prevent your data from getting there in the first place.

When your web traffic is encrypted, it makes it very difficult to intercept your data being collected, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.

Final Word

Learning your information has been found on the dark web can be alarming, but know you can take action.

There is something you can do about it. If you can take immediate action to secure your accounts, place a freeze on your credit, and lock down your digital space, you can reduce the impact as well as the likelihood of encountering future issues or data breaches.

Most importantly, take action and take comprehensive action. Don't change one password and do nothing else.

Just as with the entire action plan detailed above, consider investing in an ongoing monitoring service.

Your digital security is worth the effort. With the proper knowledge and tools available to you, you can work to stay one step ahead of those criminals that are actively working to profit off your identity.