{"id":23613,"date":"2021-08-06T10:25:59","date_gmt":"2021-08-06T10:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reliablecounter.com\/blog\/?p=23613"},"modified":"2021-08-06T10:25:59","modified_gmt":"2021-08-06T10:25:59","slug":"is-your-data-on-the-dark-web-5-ways-to-find-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reliablecounter.com\/blog\/is-your-data-on-the-dark-web-5-ways-to-find-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Is your Data on the Dark Web? 5 Ways to Find Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone\u2019s heard of identity theft; when someone takes your personal, financial, or identifying information and uses it online or in a criminal manner. That\u2019s why you\u2019ve started religiously shredding your monthly bills, you bring in your mail quickly, and make sure that your personal information (like your PIN) is protected. You\u2019re informed, and you\u2019re educated. Right? Unfortunately, even the most careful individuals find their information available occasionally when it comes to information on the dark web.<\/p>\n

What is the Dark Web?<\/h2>\n

The dark web is considered the most controversial and dangerous portion of the internet. While many portray the dark web as a place where criminals, drug lords, and evil-doers congregate, there\u2019s plenty of tame reasons people visit. That\u2019s because the dark web requires a particular browser called Tor to access the servers. All servers are encrypted, keeping the search history completely anonymous. It also prevents a user\u2019s location from being identified as well. It\u2019s this anonymous cloak that attracts many, whether it\u2019s for social networking or illegal activities.<\/p>\n

\nWhat\u2019s on the Dark Web?<\/h2>\n

In a word, everything. The dark web is often known for its questionable content and with good reason. Studies have shown that approximately 15.4% of all pages online relate to drugs, another 9% of the web activity relates to fraud, and 4.25% relates to hacking. Despite popular belief, gun sales only account for 1.4% of the dark web. With the majority of the dark web pertaining to identity theft, knowing how to potentially find your information and protect your identity is essential.<\/p>\n

\nHow Much is My Identity Worth?<\/h2>\n

Truthfully, not much. Most accounts will sell for pennies on the dollar, with the average grouped identity (including SSN, address, statements, name, and other personal information) being sold for approximately $30. Users with minimal money or accounts aren\u2019t immune to theft either. Often, buyers will purchase an individual\u2019s identity to create new accounts instead of stealing from current accounts. Bank accounts with transferrable balances over $3,000 can be purchased for only $146. It\u2019s often considered supply and demand for the dark web, with virtually everyone\u2019s information having a price.<\/p>\n

\nCan I find who stole my information?<\/h2>\n

Probably not. Tor works by creating anonymity through multiple servers. Police enforcement cannot track IP addresses (giving the individual\u2019s physical location), making finding anyone on the dark web almost impossible. Unfortunately, this also means that any of your personal information shared on the dark web is available for purchase without any possible way of tracing.<\/p>\n

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How Can I find if my data has been shared?<\/h2>\n

While knowing your information could potentially be sold on the dark web is terrible enough, finding out whether it\u2019s been posted is another story. If you\u2019d like to find out whether your data has been shared, consider the following five tips.<\/p>\n

\n1) Visit the Dark Web<\/h3>\n

Deciding to visit the dark web probably isn\u2019t for the faint at heart, especially if running into illegal activities isn\u2019t your thing. On top of that, most fraudulent activities like identity theft aren\u2019t exactly shared on the home page. This option requires users to have the specified browser to gain access to dark web pages. It\u2019s also crucial that users bring patience when browsing; with the servers bouncing the ping, it typically lags and performs slowly.<\/p>\n

2) Perform a Personal Search<\/h3>\n

Trying to find your information doesn\u2019t have to be complicated. Simply run a background check<\/a> through a reputable company. Most websites will include a dark web check that browses the dark web on your behalf. If anything from your report shows up on the dark web, you\u2019ll be notified immediately. It\u2019s essential to find a company that includes this service in their fee for optimal peace of mind.<\/p>\n

Although this service will typically charge for the report, it will cost much less than resolving identity theft down the road. A background check typically includes:<\/p>\n