After publishing the last “Tech Tip Tuesday” We were asked “What do we do if our email or sensitive information is found the Dark Web?”
The answer is, it depends. Sometimes having your email found on the dark web means you have a major issue on your hands, and sometime it just means you have to change your passwords. But here is the thing, not knowing the level of severity when it happens means you need to take it seriously regardless.
The problem is most people do not know where to begin? They start randomly changing passwords, deleting accounts and calling their banks without rhyme and reason. They know they should be doing something, they just aren’t sure what.
If your email address is found on the dark web it means it could mean it is nothing worse than that at that moment. But it could start a chain reaction. Hackers and scammers regularly check the dark webs for accounts they can use for their nasty practices such as phishing scams. And if they get hold of your password for your accounts they can obtain even more information. Even if you do not use those accounts such as MySpace or J.Crew, there is still the chance that there is some information they can obtain that is valid. It is important to do the following if your email or any information is found on the dark web:
- Scan your computer – Use the latest antivirus and Anti-Malware available to you. Some of these software companies provide free online or trial software such as MalwareBytes.org
- Change your Password(s) – Make it lengthy, unique and complex using special characters, numbers, etc.
- Make other emails – Create specific email accounts for certain tasks, such as an account to sign up for a food delivery or download a wallpaper, not your work or main email account.
- Regularly check your bank and credit card accounts – Do this from a safe computer that is not used by many people in your work or your house.
- Use your phone – Check financial information or sensitive information while using your carrier data plan, not your Wi-Fi – this it to avoid using your computer which might be compromised.
- Practice Smart Transactions – Purchase from trustworthy websites that have secure connection (having a lock in front of their url).
- Use MFA – Use two or more factor authentication to access your accounts. These include security questions such as “your cousins name” or “high school mascot”, as examples.
- Unsubscribe – Opt out of whoever is sending you unsolicited email and data brokers such as White Pages etc.
- Regularly monitor – Check for your domain and email address to make sure you are not in the dark web
- Consult your IT company- There are many programs that are available and inexpensive to protect your data and your reputation. All it take for your email and information to make it on the dark web is getting relaxed and repeating bad habits that got your email there in the first place. Because hackers are relentless, they do not let go until they find information about us, to use against us. Let us know if we can assist you with any of your questions or concerns. Call us at 818-501-2281 or email us at: info@ceocomputers.com
*Tech Tip Tuesday is a weekly column that focuses on customer based questions that are frequently asked or of interest. If you have a question that you would like to be featured, send us an email to: info@ceocomputers.com*
