How To Remove Your Information From the Dark Web

Can You Remove Your Personal Information From the Dark Web? 

Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to remove information that has been leaked to the Dark Web. While you can access the Dark Web by using the Tor browser, this part of the internet is filled with hackers, malware, and other threats that could put your sensitive information even more at risk. 

Stolen data is also almost always duplicated and shared across forums and hacker marketplaces, which makes attempts to remove it futile. 

If a person or company claims to be able to remove your data from the Dark Web, they’re either misrepresenting their services or flat-out lying. 

While you can’t necessarily remove your information from the Dark Web, knowing what has been leaked can help you protect yourself and your family against scams and threats. 

{{show-toc}} 

How To Find Out If Your Information Is Circulating on the Dark Web

The Dark Web is different from other parts of the internet. Instead of finding information through search engines or public social media accounts, navigating the Dark Web requires accessing forums, marketplaces, and password-protected websites that are often connected to cybercriminals and other threats.

In most instances, the easiest way to discover which elements of your personally identifiable information (PII) are compromised is to utilize tools and alerts that scan the Dark Web safely on your behalf. 

Here are five ways to uncover what data has been leaked:

• Look out for data breach notifications. Companies are legally required to notify customers of hacks or data security incidents that could compromise consumer data. You can check your emails or set up alerts to stay informed about any breaches that could put you at risk.
• Check your password manager alerts. Many password managers include data breach monitoring features that can automatically alert you if your saved passwords appear in known breaches or Dark Web listings.
• Review your credit reports. It’s good practice to review your credit reports regularly to safeguard your credit score and reputation against fraud. Credit monitoring services can alert you to suspicious activity on your report, like unexpected Payday loan applications, new accounts you didn’t open, or hard inquiries — red flags that someone is using your data. 
• Sign up for Dark Web alerts. With a Dark Web monitoring service, you can get notifications if your sensitive personal details are found online — including your phone number, Social Security number (SSN), and address. 
• Run your email address or phone number through free scanners. You can use free scanning tools, like HaveIBeenPwned and Aura’s Dark Web Scanner, to check if your phone number and email address were leaked in recent breaches. These free tools are good for basic insights but aren’t as comprehensive as paid identity protection services.

{{hacker-view-widget}}

What To Do If Your Personal Information Is on the Dark Web

Once you know what personal information has been leaked to the Dark Web, you can take proactive steps to prevent hackers from using that information against you.

Freeze your credit files with all three bureaus

Hackers can use your stolen information to apply for loans or open accounts in your name. A credit freeze limits access to your credit reports — preventing anyone from exploiting your data and damaging your credit score. 

To freeze your credit, contact each of the three major credit bureaus individually:

Note: You can lift (or “thaw”) the freeze later, whenever you need to apply for a legitimate line of credit. Just remember to keep the PIN codes in a safe place.

Update leaked (or weak) passwords 

Two in three people reuse passwords, which can put multiple accounts at risk if one gets compromised [*]. As you can’t remove your information from the Dark Web, it’s critical to immediately change any leaked or reused passwords.  

Best practices for strong passwords:

• Make it unique. Each password should only be used for one account. This is essential to prevent your data and accounts from being vulnerable to credential stuffing or multiple hacks after a data breach.
• Make it long. Aim for at least 10–13 characters to make passwords harder to guess and to protect against brute-force attacks.
• Make it complex. It’s tempting to go with passwords like your date of birth or pet’s name, but these are easy to guess. Instead, create complex passwords that combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. 

Pro tip: Store your login credentials in a password manager. These tools make it easier to create and secure all account passwords and can even alert you to any duplicate, weak, or at-risk accounts.

Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional security layer that prompts users for a second verification factor before granting access to an account. For example, you must enter a one-time password or fingerprint scan. 

By enabling 2FA, you can stop unauthorized access to your online accounts, even if your passwords are leaked on the Dark Web.

Cybersecurity experts caution people against using SMS 2FA codes, as hackers can intercept these codes with a SIM swapping scam. Instead, the safest method is to use an authenticator app, like Okta or Google Authenticator.

💡 Related: Does Two-Factor Authentication Prevent Hacking? →

Check accounts for suspicious activity or logged-in devices

Any suspicious activity found on your smartphone, social media accounts, or in your email inbox could indicate that someone has breached your accounts and is actively trying to exploit you. 

Here’s what to watch out for:

• Strange activity in your email account. If you find changes to your inbox settings, unexpected shopping confirmation emails, or emails in your "Sent" folder that you don't remember sending, it’s likely you’ve been hacked. 
• Unexpected financial transactions. If you spot unfamiliar charges on your bank account and credit card statements, someone may have gained access to your account numbers or credit card details.‍
• Notifications about unfamiliar logged-in devices. You may get emails about attempted log-ins to your social media accounts or online activity on your retail accounts from foreign locations. Never ignore these notifications unless you’re sure that the activity is your own, such as when you’re accessing the internet through a virtual private network (VPN).

Scan your devices for malware

Hackers can use data breaches or fake breach announcements to trick you into downloading malware and giving them access to your devices. Scanning your devices will help you find and remove any malicious programs that could cause further damage. 

Before scanning, it’s best to disconnect from the internet to reduce the risk of a virus spreading or transmitting your stolen data to a hacker’s computer.

Next, boot your computer in Safe Mode so that you have time to explore the system and secure your sensitive data. 

How to turn on Safe Mode and remove viruses: 

• On Windows: From the Windows sign-in screen, hold down the shift key and select Power > Restart. When your computer reboots, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. When the next menu appears, press F4 to start your PC in Safe Mode.
• On Mac OS: Turn on or restart your computer, and immediately hold down the shift key until the login window appears. You should see a Safe Boot option in the menu bar. If not, log in to your computer as usual. A second login screen that includes the Safe Boot option should then appear.

Once you’re in Safe Mode, you can run scans with your antivirus software to detect and isolate threats.

Note: Many free antivirus programs are unsafe. Do your due diligence, and ensure that you download reputable anti-malware software that scans your devices, emails, apps, and text messages for malicious code or links. 

💡 Related: How To Detect Malware on Your Computer or Phone →

Remove your information from data broker lists and third-party websites

Identity thieves combine leaked and publicly available information to build a stronger “file” on you. You can reduce the risk of becoming a victim by checking your digital footprint and removing any extra information.

Start by reviewing what information about you can be easily found through a Google search. You can send a removal request for contact details and sensitive data directly to Google. 

Next, contact data brokers and people finder sites to lodge takedown requests for any information they’ve collected about you from public records. Unfortunately, this time-consuming process comes with no guarantees that the brokers won’t re-add your data later. 

Aura's data broker opt-out service saves you time by scanning known databases and broker sites and lodging automatic requests on your behalf to remove your information.

💡 Related: How To Remove Yourself From Data Broker Sites →

Be cautious of any strange emails, calls, or texts

Scammers may use the personal data leaked in data breaches to create customized phishing attacks — meaning you could be at higher risk after your data is leaked. 

Here’s how to stay safe:

• Look for the warning signs of phishing. Red flags include contact from unknown senders, spelling and grammatical errors, and urgent or persistent requests for personal information. 
• Tread carefully. Beware of any stranger who sends you an email or text or invites you into a Telegram or WhatsApp group. 
• Don’t share anything. Avoid responding to messages or clicking on links unless you’re 100% sure it’s from someone you trust. 

💡 Related: How To Quickly Identify Phishing Emails (13 Warning Signs) →

How To Prevent Your Data From Ending Up on the Dark Web

If you can’t remove your information from the Dark Web, the best thing you can do is limit how much of your data can be leaked in the first place. 

Here are six steps to secure your private information:

• Use guest accounts when buying products online. Checking out as a “guest” may involve a few extra steps in the shopping process, but it keeps your personal details and credit card numbers out of a company’s database — and safe in the event they get hacked. 
• Limit the information you provide to online services. When signing up for newsletters, apps, and discounts, you don’t need to disclose much more than your name. Never share phone numbers, addresses, or financial details unless it’s absolutely essential. 
• Use made-up information to sign up for non-essential accounts. If any platform requests specific information that you’re uncomfortable sharing, protect yourself by providing an old phone number or a different date of birth. Even if this information is compromised, hackers won’t be able to connect it to you.
• Use email aliases or secondary accounts. Another easy safeguard is to sign up for online services with an email alias so that your primary email account remains secure. Aura provides free email aliases that automatically forward legitimate emails to your main account. 
• Tighten your privacy settings on social media. Many people overshare on social media — giving scammers public access to personal information, including phone numbers and geo-tagged posts. Adjust your social media privacy settings to hide as much as possible from prying eyes. 
• Use digital security tools.  For peace of mind and round-the-clock protection, use an identity theft protection service that includes cybersecurity tools such as antivirus software, a password manager, VPN, and Safe Browsing features to protect you from scams, phishing, and malware.

Aura is an award-winning identity theft protection platform that includes 24/7 Dark Web monitoring to warn you if your data has been leaked. Aura provides three-bureau credit monitoring with the industry’s fastest fraud alerts³ to help you shut down scammers before they can use your stolen data to commit financial fraud in your name.