Are You Safe? Beware of Your Phone Number Being Found on the Dark Web

In the current threat landscape, we are all targets and must take a proactive approach to cybersecurity and remain cautious. If not, there’s a high probability of your data ending up on the dark web. Unfortunately, the anonymity and privacy awarded to dark web users have attracted a bad reputation and individuals who want to engage in illicit activities. Chase gives you access to unique sports, entertainment and culinary events through Chase Experiences and our exclusive partnerships such as the US Open, Madison Square Garden and Chase Center. You’re at home one night watching TV, and all of a sudden you receive a dark web email alert from Chase Credit Journey®. I just received a text saying to expect a federal express package tomorrow with options to cancel or stop or see more.

With the increasing prevalence of online activities, it is essential to safeguard your personal information from falling into the wrong hands. One common way for cybercriminals to obtain valuable data is through the dark web, a hidden part of the internet where illegal activities often take place.

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The Threat of Your Phone Number Being Discovered

And remember that there are better (and safer) ways to prevent identity theft than being forced to buy back your data off the dark web. The Hidden Wiki is a surface website offering a collection of dark web links — but the links don’t always work, and they may not be safe. Use it to get an idea of what sort of dark websites you may be interested in visiting. But before visiting any sites on the dark web, get comprehensive cybersecurity software to protect yourself from any threats you may encounter. Dark web content lives on the darknet, a part of the internet that’s both not indexed by search engines and accessible only through a browser like Tor or through specific network configurations.

So Your Personal Data Is On The Dark Web Now What?

Your phone number may seem like harmless information, but in the wrong hands, it can lead to various forms of fraud and identity theft. When your phone number is found on the dark web, it opens up a gateway for scammers and hackers to target you through phishing scams, vishing attacks, or even sim swapping.

ImmuniWeb® is an honorable mention to our list of the top 10 dark web scanners. The company’s suite of products offer easy, affordable penetration testing that anyone can use. Dashlane is a subscription-based password manager and digital wallet application that offers security tools for both businesses and individuals. Hashcast uses hundreds of AI bots to monitor both public and private Internet channels. These bots search for credentials (paired email and password, or email and hash) from your business domain.

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Phishing scams involve sending fraudulent emails or messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, tricking you into providing sensitive information such as passwords or credit card details. Vishing attacks, on the other hand, use voice calls to deceive individuals into disclosing personal data.

Sim swapping is another technique used by cybercriminals to take control of your phone number, enabling them to intercept two-factor authentication codes and gain access to your accounts.

Protecting Yourself from Dark Web Threats

It is crucial to take proactive measures to protect your phone number and other personal information from being exposed on the dark web. Here are some tips to help safeguard your data:

• Plus, you get peace of mind with up to $1 million of ID theft coverage and hands-on restoration support to help reclaim your identity after identity theft.
• After that, when you log in again to your account, the site will ask you for the 6-digit codes that the app changes automatically every 60 seconds.
• The Dark Web is a hidden universe contained within the “Deep Web”- a sublayer of the Internet that is hidden from conventional search engines.

When you access a website, email account, network server, or another password-protected item, you can save the password in your keychain so you do not have to remember or enter the password each time. And it is the go-to place to buy and sell people’s personal information. The most prominent sign that your phone number’s been leaked o the Dark Web is when you receive unsolicited messages, spam ads, suspicious offers, etc.

• Avoid sharing your phone number on public platforms or websites unless necessary.

If you notice an uptick in these types of calls, it may be time for a new phone number. “Comparitech’s research findings is another highlight of how commoditized cybercrime has become. “They might all have been collected from a single data breach, for example, or from the same card skimmer placed on a gasoline pump,” Bischoff wrote.

• Enable two-factor authentication on all your accounts to add an extra layer of security.
• Regularly monitor your credit report and bank statements for any suspicious activity.
• Use strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

If you see a familiar site on either of these lists, you should take action. Carrier overnight shipping limitations apply that may impact the delivery date. In almost all cases, it is impossible to remove your information from the dark web.

• Consider using a reputable identity theft protection service to monitor for any signs of fraudulent activity.

By staying vigilant and implementing these security measures, you can reduce the likelihood of your phone number being found on the dark web and protect yourself from potential threats.