How to protect your personal data against misuse on the dark web

In a bid to protect individual data and privacy, Google recently rolled out the Dark Web Report feature for users in India. It allows users to monitor if, when, and where their data is present and being used anywhere on the dark web. This data includes one’s name, date of birth, and up to ten email addresses, and phone numbers.

The dark web, simply put, refers to that section of the internet which can be accessed using only certain software, specific system configurations, and browsers. The dark web can be used for illicit activities without divulging specific details such as one’s IP address and geographical location, making it extremely difficult to track both, cybercriminals, and specific data being used for the same.

How to access Google's Dark Web Report feature

The Dark Web Report feature was initially rolled out exclusively for those who had subscribed to Google One’s Premium 2TB plan in the United States. However, bearing in mind how cybercrime has steadily been on the rise recently, the feature was extended to Google One subscribers across all tiers.

Here’s how to set up the Dark Web Report feature on your smartphones and laptops.

1. Open one.google.com

2. Find an option which says “Monitor the dark web”

3. Click on “Get started”

4. On the window that subsequently appears, click on “start monitoring”

5. Following this, select the details you’d like to monitor, which by default, will include your name, phone number, and email address.

6. Click on “Done.”

7. Following this, you can also enter any other email addresses and phone numbers you’d like to be monitored for activity on the dark web.

Now, to view wherever your data has been found on the dark web, all you have to do is go the “Monitor the dark web” window again. Google doesn’t show you just where your data is present though. Along with the same, it will also advise you on further steps to be taken to protect yourself, against this data being misused.

The Dark Web Report feature is available to all Google One users in India at no additional cost and is an extremely handy feature one must consider using, to ensure their identity is not stolen or misused for illicit activities on the internet.