Protecting Your Data from Cyberattacks on the Dark Web

Protecting Your Data from Cyberattacks on the Dark Web

Actions you can take to protect your exposed data on the Dark Web

Username and/or Password

  1. Change your username if you have the option.
  2. Change your passwords linked to that userna
  3. Set up 2-factor authentication whenever available for a website.
  4. You can visit Two Factor Org for more information.

Bank Account

  1. Monitor your account activity closely. Report any suspicious activity, such as unfamiliar purchases, to your financial institution immediately.
  2. Contact your bank for a replacement account.
  3. Change your online banking username if you have the option.
  4. Change your online banking password.
  5. Set up 2-factor authentication if available.
  6. You can visit Two Factor Org  for more information.

Credit Card/Debit Card

  1. Request a replacement card and new PIN.
  2. Monitor your account activity closely. Report any suspicious activity to your financial institution immediately.
  3. Change your online account username if you have the option.
  4. Change your online account password.
  5. Set up 2-factor authentication if available for your online banking.
  6. You can visit Two Factor Org for more information.

Social Security Number (United States)

  1. Check your credit report regularly for unauthorized activity.
  2. Put a credit freeze on your credit file.
  3. Put a security freeze on your consumer report with the National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange and ChexSystems.
  4. Register for an online account with the Social Security Administration to securely access information from your Social Security record, including earnings and benefits history.

Social Security Card (United States)

  1. Check your credit report regularly for unauthorized activity.
  2. Put a security freeze on your consumer report with the National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange and ChexSystems.
  3. To order a free replacement Social Security Card, use this link for instructions.
  4. Register for an online account with the Social Security Administration to securely access information from your Social Security record, including earnings and benefits history.
  5. Place fraud alerts with the major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. To place a Fraud Alert with Equifax, please use this link for the online report, or call their toll free number 1-888-766-0008. Once you have the Fraud Alert placed on your credit file, Equifax will forward the alert request to Experian and Transunion so you will not need to contact each of them separately.

Email Address

  1. Change your email account password.
  2. Set up 2-factor authentication whenever available for a website.
  3. You can visit Two Factor Org for more information.
  4. If you are using this email as a login/username for websites, consider changing the username and passwords to those websites for better protection.

General Information

  1. If you use the same Username and Passwords for multiple websites or apps, change them when there is a breach.
  2. Think before you download apps, click on links, or reply to emails that might be harmful or fraudulent.
  3. Be suspicious of strangers who ask for personal information by email. If they claim to be from your financial institution, the government or a company you do business with, contact the business directly.
  4. Don’t use all or part of your Social Security number as a PIN (Personal Identification Number) for a credit/debit card or an online account username or password.

What are the Risks?

  1. After a cyberbreach, your personal information can be exposed.
  2. Cybercriminals can sell your personal information on hard-to-find dark web sites.

When to call Support

No need to call us in the event we found your information. Dark Web notifications inform you that your information has been exposed and available to cybercriminals. Your data may have not been misused at this stage. These notifications allow you to take steps to help protect your data.
Call us if you were informed your information has been used to commit identity theft, such as:
  1. To take over or open new bank accounts
  2. File fake tax returns
  3. Rent or buy properties
  4. Other criminal activities in your name


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