Headlines this month once again exposed the unsettling reality of dark web data breaches – where stolen credentials, including those from cybersecurity vendors, were being sold for as little as $10. Cybercriminals are leveraging tactics like malware to steal sensitive data, putting individuals at significant risk.
The dark web, a hidden and unindexed section of the internet, has become a thriving marketplace for stolen data. Every day, countless identities, financial details, and login credentials are bought and sold, fueling fraud, identity theft, and financial loss. The most alarming part? Many victims have no idea their information is compromised – until it’s too late.
To help users stay ahead of these threats, PureVPN has introduced Dark Web Monitoring – a new feature that proactively and continuously scans the dark web for your most critical identifiers, alerting you if your information is found in any of the breaches so you can take action before it’s exploited.
What Sets PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring Apart?
Unlike several other services in the market that overwhelm users with excessive notifications, PureVPN stands out by prioritizing relevance, accuracy, and user simplicity.
PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring delivers only the most critical information, making it easier to take immediate action and prevent scammers from misusing your data.
By continuously scanning dark web marketplaces, stolen credential repositories, and underground forums, it provides timely alerts and actionable insights when your crucial identifiers are found exposed.
The monitored assets include:
- Email Address: Your email is often the gateway to your online accounts, and if compromised, can expose you to phishing attacks, account takeovers, and identity theft.
- Phone Number: Your phone number can be used for SIM swapping attacks, as well as to reset passwords on various accounts, making it a prime target for cybercriminals.
- Credit Card Number: Leaked credit card number can lead to fraudulent transactions, unauthorized purchases, and severe financial loss.
- Passport Number: A compromised passport number opens the door to identity theft and fraudulent travel, potentially wreaking havoc on your personal life and reputation.
- National Identification Number (NIN) or Social Security Number (SSN): Your SSN or NIN is a key piece of your identity and can be used to access a range of services, including opening financial accounts and obtaining loans in your name.
Unlike other dark web monitoring tools that overwhelm users with excessive alerts, PureVPN hones in on these key identifiers, delivering unparalleled efficiency and precision in safeguarding what matters most.
| Benefit | PureVPN Dark Web Monitoring | Using Free Tools |
| Knowing if my most important data is exposed | Peace of mind knowing 5 key identifiers (email, phone, credit card number, passport number, SSN/NIN) are constantly monitored. | Only checks email and sometimes phone numbers. This leaves other crucial data vulnerable. |
| Getting alerted if there’s a breach | Timely alerts allow you to take action and prevent scammers from misusing your data | No active monitoring. |
| Understanding what to do if my data is found | Personalized recommendations tell you exactly what steps to take to secure your accounts and prevent misuse. | No guidance. You’re left to figure out what to do on your own. |
| Protecting all my critical online identity | Comprehensive coverage of the 5 most targeted assets by cybercriminals. | Significant gaps in coverage. Many crucial identifiers are left unprotected. |
| Coverage | Global | Limited |
| Ease of use and convenience | Simple interface, easy-to-understand insights, and all-in-one integration with your app. | Requires manual effort and separate tools. Not integrated with your other security tools. |
| Value for money | Yes | Free for basic email/phone checks, but lacks active monitoring and comprehensive coverage. |
Since the rollout is gradual, ensure your app is updated. If you still can’t access it, simply visit the Members Area, where Dark Web Monitoring is live and ready to use.
How PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring Protects You
PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring scans the dark web 24/7 for your exposed personal identifiers, providing timely alerts, and equipping users with actionable insights to prevent future misuse and exploitation.
- Continuous Monitoring: It scans the dark web marketplaces and databases 24/7 to detect any leaks involving your monitored assets.
- Timely Alerts: If your identifiers or associated data is found on the dark web, you will receive timely notifications, allowing you to respond before cybercriminals can exploit your data.
- Actionable Insights: Receive clear and tailored recommendations, such as updating passwords, enabling 2FA, or enhancing account security.
Moreover, PureVPN now offers a Dark Web Exposure Scan for everyone, including non-users, which is accessible through a dedicated feature page. Users simply need to enter their email address and wait for the results. If their email is found in a breach, they can take immediate action to prevent potential data exploitation.
To ensure users’ digital identifiers remain secure, they are encrypted before being transmitted to PureVPN’s servers, where the data is stored using SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm).
Bottom Line
The dark web is a ticking time bomb for those unaware of their compromised data. By the time a stolen credential is misused, the damage is already done.
With PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring, you gain proactive security, continuous monitoring, timely alerts, and actionable insights to prevent cybercriminals from exploiting your data – providing the intelligence you need to act before cybercriminals do.
Don’t leave your digital security to chance. Take control with PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring.
