Social Security Numbers on the Dark Web: What You Need to Know

In today’s digital age, personal information is more vulnerable than ever before. One of the most sensitive pieces of information that can be compromised is a Social Security number (SSN). Unfortunately, SSNs are often sold on the dark web, a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access.

What is the Dark Web?

How Does IDStrong’s Dark Web Monitoring Services Work?

The dark web is a portion of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires the use of anonymizing software, such as Tor, to access. It is often associated with illegal activities, such as the sale of stolen personal information, drugs, and weapons. While there are legitimate uses for the dark web, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with it.

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How are SSNs Sold on the Dark Web?

SSNs are often sold on the dark web as part of larger data breaches. Hackers will gain access to sensitive information, such as SSNs, credit card numbers, and addresses, and then sell this information to the highest bidder. In some cases, SSNs are sold individually, while in other cases they are sold in batches. The price of an SSN on the dark web can vary, but it is often sold for less than $10.

Why Is Dark Web Monitoring Important?

However, if you receive an alert, it still means that you have been a victim of data theft. Your data is no longer under your control – it’s available on some shady online marketplace. It can be purchased and used by criminals to create fraudulent accounts in your name, hack into your existing accounts, or steal money from you or your close ones by means of phishing. Once you get your reports, check them for any credit card accounts or loans you know you never opened. Strange accounts on your credit reports are a sign that someone is using your identity.

What are the Risks of Having Your SSN on the Dark Web?

Having your SSN on the dark web can have serious consequences. It can be used for identity theft, tax fraud, and other forms of financial fraud. In some cases, it can even be used to open new accounts in your name. If you suspect that your SSN has been compromised, it is important to take action immediately. This may include placing a fraud alert on your credit report, freezing your credit, and contacting the Social Security Administration.

How to Protect Your SSN

There are several steps you can take to protect your SSN and other sensitive information:

“The SSNDOB Marketplace has listed the personal information for approximately 24 million individuals in the United States, generating more than $19 million USD in sales revenue,” the DOJ says. But a separate domain, found by where can i buy fentanyl online Information Security Media Group, also claims to be the SSNDOB Marketplace and appears to be both active and accessible on the open internet. The image below shows a redacted version of the domain name and its Onion link.

• This is where you can conduct general web searches, access social sites, or read the news.
• Banking services provided by Community Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC.
• Did you know that when you search the internet, you’re only seeing 5% of the web?
• Jory MacKay is a writer and award-winning editor with over a decade of experience for online and print publications.

Despite its intended use for official purposes, an SSN is unfortunately highly sought after by criminals due to the potential for identity theft and financial fraud. It holds considerable value on the Dark Web and black markets, where it can be bought and sold for illegal activities. There are billions of websites, networks, and registries across the web, but the advantage of dark web monitoring is that you’re taking precautions.

• Never share your SSN unless it is absolutely necessary. This includes with friends, family members, and even medical professionals.

If you think your data has been compromised, update all your passwords on online platforms with complex, unique, and long passwords and enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication wherever possible. Every American is entitled to view their credit reports cryptomarkets darknet from each of the three main agencies annually. This means that you can view one of your credit reports for free every four months. Viewing your reports as often as possible will let you check and see if any new accounts have been opened in your name.

• Regularly monitor your credit report for suspicious activity.
• Use strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts.
• Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your online activity.
• Keep your computer and other devices updated with the latest security patches.

While it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of having your SSN compromised, taking these steps can help reduce your risk and protect your personal information.