Google's Dark Web Monitoring Feature: Protecting Your Online Identity

Introduction

I recently received a reward of a 6 months free Google One subscription (Basic Plan) for my local guide & Google review contributions. The subscription comes with a number of features such as 100TB storage, enhanced photo editing features, a VPN and a few others. One of the others is Dark Web Monitoring which was released in the US in March 2023. I love seeing features like this from companies who step up to the plate to help users safeguard their digital lives. In this post, I'll explore what this feature is, how it works, and why it matters.

Understanding the Dark Web

Before diving into Google's Dark Web Monitoring feature, it's essential to understand what the "dark web" is. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. It is intentionally designed to be anonymous, making it a haven for illegal activities such as the sale of stolen data, drugs, weapons, and more stuff of nightmares. It's where cybercriminals often trade in stolen personal information like credit card numbers, login credentials, and social security numbers. It's also where a lot of stolen personal data from breaches ends up for sale.

Google's Dark Web Monitoring Feature

Google's Dark Web Monitoring feature is designed to help users stay informed about the presence of their personal information on the dark web. Here's how it works:

1. Continuous Scanning: One of Google's many sophisticated algorithms scan the dark web continuously, looking for any signs of your personal information, such as email addresses, passwords, or financial details. The best part is you're in control of what it scans for, I personally left out my home address but ticked the boxes for name, date of birth and email address to start off.
2. Alerts: If Google's monitoring system detects any of your information on the dark web, it will send you an alert. This alert will prompt you to take immediate action to secure your accounts and data.
3. Reporting: Once set up, you can view the report right away from your Google One homepage:

As you can see in the above report my full name and phone number are available on the dark web. You can click the results to find out what breach they were involved in. This was of course no surprise to me given the amount of scam calls I've received this year.

Inside the results report you can see the specific breach (or breaches if you're unlucky), the date of the breach and the personal information leaked as a result. I've redacted the breach and it's date in the image below as well as my phone number but you get the idea:

Enabling Google's Dark Web Monitoring

Before you can fully benefit from Google's Dark Web Monitoring feature, you'll need to set it up. Fortunately, Google has made this process relatively straightforward:

1. Access Your Google Account: Start by logging into your Google account. You can do this by going to https://myaccount.google.com.
2. Security Tab: Once logged in, click on the "Security" tab on the left-hand side of the page. This section contains various settings related to your account's security.
3. Dark Web Monitoring: Scroll down to find the "Dark Web Monitoring" section. If it's your first time accessing this feature, you might need to provide your password for verification.
4. Turn On Dark Web Monitoring: Click the "Turn On" button to activate the feature. Google will ask you to confirm your choice; click "Turn On" again.
5. Verification: To ensure the security of this feature, Google may prompt you to re-enter your Google Account password.
6. Confirmation: Once you've completed the above steps, you should receive a confirmation message that Dark Web Monitoring is now active for your account.

Now that you've enabled Dark Web Monitoring for your Google account, let's explore why this feature matters in the ever-evolving landscape of online security.

Why Google's Dark Web Monitoring Matters

1. Proactive Protection: With this feature, Google aims to provide proactive protection. Instead of waiting until a data breach occurs, you can take action as soon as your information appears on the dark web, reducing the potential impact of cyberattacks.
2. User Convenience: Google's Dark Web Monitoring is seamlessly integrated into the user experience, making it easier for everyday users to monitor their online security. You don't need to be a cybersecurity expert to benefit from this feature.
3. Comprehensive Monitoring: Google's vast resources and expertise allow for comprehensive dark web monitoring. It can scan a wide range of sources, increasing the likelihood of detecting compromised information.
4. Data Privacy: Google emphasizes data privacy and security. The company ensures that your personal data is protected while providing this service, addressing concerns about potential privacy breaches.

Not A Google One Member? No Problem!

You can still access some features without the membership, it essentially boils down to if you want continuous monitoring or not and if the other Google One features are enough to justify the monthly costs (depending on the plan you choose) Here's a breakdown of what Google One members and non-members get:

Conclusion

Personal data is constantly under threat, Google's Dark Web Monitoring feature represents a significant step toward enhancing online security and protecting your digital identity. By providing continuous scanning, timely alerts, and actionable recommendations, Google empowers users to take control of their online safety. While no security measure is foolproof, this feature is a valuable addition to Google's suite of tools aimed at helping users stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. Your digital identity is worth safeguarding, and it looks like Google is here to help you with doing just that.

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