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If the worst case scenario occurs and hackers have taken over your phone number, you need to act quickly to shut them down. If your phone rings once and then stops, don’t call the number back — even if it looks like a local or U.S. phone number. Scammers use international numbers that look like American phone numbers to trick you into calling them back, leaving you with massive charges. Scammers sometimes actually want you to avoid answering their calls with the goal of getting you to call them back. In the past, hackers couldn’t do much damage with just your phone number. To stay out of trouble, they quickly converted the restaurant’s cash into prepaid cards and wired them to the agent on the phone.
Understanding the Risks: Phone Number Found on Dark Web
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It hosts a variety of illegal activities, including the sale of stolen data. When a phone number found on dark web is mentioned, it raises serious concerns about privacy and security.
You don’t have an idea of how easy it would be for scammers to install tracking adware extensions in your Chrome browser. Even by opening an email and clicking links inside it, you can get malicious code that asks Google Chrome to download and install such tools without your knowledge. If someone gets access to your email address because they’re intercepting your Internet connection, they can see what’s happening on your home network and WiFi. However, it is recommended to use a VPN that encrypts connections on smartphones and laptops, as it may not always be valid. That is the only way to recover your account after losing the Google Authenticator codes. Accordingly, always take this step seriously, ensure that you save your backup codes correctly on your devices, and use the old-school paper printing method.
You should never reply to scammers, even if they ask you for money. Next, show them the IP address if there is any (they are probably hiding it with a fake one). In all cases, always verify the settings of your email account, check if there is any message forward, folder, or configurations that look suspicious, and remove them.
What is the Dark Web?
- By now you’re wondering how to remove your information from the dark web.
- If you’re caught in a data breach, you’ll get a notification, which contains information about where the breach originated and what info was leaked.
- Search online for your name, phone number, and address and see what comes up.
- Using MFA helps ensure that even if someone has found your usernames and passwords on the dark web, they won’t be able to access your accounts.
- Make sure to lock your SIM card, ignore spam callers, and secure your accounts with 2FA and strong passwords.
When connected to the Internet, Windows Defender checks for updates and installs them. So, avoid installing antivirus tools that slow down your machines and make them weak in front of attacks. Instead, look for well-known antivirus tools that have long years of experience and are from established companies.
The dark web is often confused with the deep web, which includes all parts of the internet not indexed by standard search engines. The dark web, however, is intentionally hidden and accessible only through specific software like Tor. This anonymity attracts cybercriminals who engage in illegal activities.
Alina is a history buff passionate about cybersecurity and anything sci-fi, advocating Bitdefender technologies and solutions. She spends most of her time between her two feline friends and traveling. For the sake of convenience, a lot of websites allow you to sign up using only your email, Google, or Facebook account. Today, the only ones who really use these are scammers in order to build huge databases of victims they will target for their schemes. Instead, you’ll need a specialized browser like Tor, which will allow you to access .onion websites.
How Do You Do A Dark Web Scan?
Why Are Phone Numbers Sold on the Dark Web?
Phone numbers are valuable pieces of personal information and can be used for various nefarious purposes:
Taking these steps helps protect your phone number and personal information, reducing the risk of exposure on the Dark Web and potential unauthorized access to your sensitive data. Identity theft services look for signs that that your personal information may have been used fraudulently. They usually check your credit reports, and some will monitor your financial accounts as well. They may also look at public records, commercial databases, and the internet.
When you access a website, email account, network server, or another password-protected item, you can save the password in your keychain so you do not have to remember or enter the password each time. And it is the go-to place to buy and sell people’s personal information. The most prominent sign that your phone number’s been leaked o the Dark Web is when you receive unsolicited messages, spam ads, suspicious offers, etc. You can report scam calls you receive on this platform so that other people will be warned about potential dangers.
- Identity Theft: Criminals can impersonate individuals using their phone numbers.
- Phishing Scams: Attackers may use a user’s phone number to send SMS phishing messages.
- Account Takeover: Access to phone accounts or services can lead to unauthorized access to financial accounts.
How to Know If Your Phone Number Is on the Dark Web
Detecting if your phone number found on dark web can be challenging, but there are several steps you can take:
- Data Breach Checks: Use online services that monitor data breaches.
- Dark Web Scanners: Services like Experian or Trend Micro offer tools to check for compromised information.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your accounts for suspicious activity.
What to Do If Your Phone Number Is Found on the Dark Web?
If you discover that your phone number found on dark web, it is essential to take immediate action:
- Change Passwords: Update passwords for accounts associated with the phone number.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: This adds an extra layer of security.
- Contact Your Phone Provider: Inform them of the situation and seek their advice.
- Consider a New Phone Number: In serious cases, changing your number might be necessary.
FAQs
Q: Can I prevent my phone number from appearing on the dark web?
A: While you cannot completely prevent exposure, minimizing the information you share online and using privacy settings can help reduce risk.
Q: What should I do if I receive unsolicited calls or texts?
A: Be cautious of unknown numbers; consider blocking them and report suspicious activity to your provider.
Q: Are there any tools to remove my phone number from the dark web?
A: Some services specialize in monitoring and removing personal information from the dark web, but results can vary.
In conclusion, understanding the implications of a phone number found on dark web is vital in today’s digital age. Protecting personal information and taking proactive measures can reduce risks associated with online privacy breaches.
