Consumers today provide personal information all the time – from online purchases to signing up for special promotional offers and filling out job applications. However, there are millions of identity theft victims each year, and when their information is stolen by a cybercriminal, it is likely to be sold on the dark web. Your Social Security number, for example, can be sold for just $1, according to Experian, one of the three credit bureaus in the country. The bottom line is that criminals can open a credit card account in your name, steal your tax return, attempt to hack into your financial accounts, and engage in other malicious activities.What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a mystery to many. Only one in four people knows what it is and what it is used for, according to Experian’s Cybersecurity Survey. It essentially allows criminals to conduct illegal activities in the deepest corners of the internet without detection.
For identity thieves, the dark web is a marketplace for personal information, including phone numbers, email addresses, account passwords, and Social Security numbers that can be used to commit identity theft and fraud.
While it is unlikely that your local dry cleaner or gym will be targeted by an identity thief, any database is attractive to a cybercriminal. Companies can also fall victim to 
malicious insiders, and smaller operations have less security. It’s better to err on the side of caution when providing personal information.Better Manage Your Personal Data
“Having your personal information exposed can pose a threat to your identity and financial future, but there are ways to take control,” says Brian Stack, Vice President of Dark Web Intelligence at Experian. “In a digital world, we all run some risk of identity theft and fraud. One step to gain peace of mind is to enroll in an identity theft protection product to be notified if credit is opened in your name or if your personal data is on the dark web.”
To proactively protect your identity, follow these key steps:
• Provide personal information only when necessary.
• Change online account passwords periodically and use a unique password for each account.
• Never access the internet with unprotected public Wi-Fi. Only use password-protected Wi-Fi for browsing – do not shop or access accounts, including social media and email.
• When logging into accounts, enable authentication questions in addition to two-factor authentication when available (and do not use real answers, such as your mother’s maiden name).
• Several times a year, check your credit reports from all credit bureaus for possible fraudulent accounts.
Wondering if there’s already a reason for concern? Experian
offers a free Dark Web Triple Scan that searches thousands of pages, networks, and forums on the dark web for your phone number, email address, and Social Security number. This scan will inform you if any of this information is on the dark web. Learn more at experian.com/triplescan.
Your daily routine doesn’t have to lead to a dark outlook. Taking proactive steps can help you stay vigilant and provide better protection.Source: StatePoint