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In an increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is more important than ever before. One particular concern that has gained significant attention is the security of personal information, especially social security numbers. With the rise of the dark web, individuals must be vigilant in protecting their sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands.
For the cost of a typical gym membership, you can have a person’s loyalty account number or their Driver’s License number. American Express helps protect you from credit card fraud with its advanced fraud protection methods. Carefully safeguarding your information and monitoring accounts can help you protect yourself from identity theft, but sensitive information can be exposed through other means. You can monitor for login credentials and other personal information, such as your Social Security number, IP address, credit and debit card numbers, driver’s license number, and more. Filing a police report covers you in case of illegal activity by the identity thief. Make sure that law enforcement files a formal theft report and that you receive a copy.
- Don’t automatically toss out mail you think is junk or was sent by mistake.
- Known as a “SIM swap,” this scam gives fraudsters full access to your phone number — which means all calls and texts go to them, including 2FA codes and password reset links.
- This form should be used if your Social Security number has been compromised and IRS has informed you that you may be a victim of identity theft tax fraud, or your e-file return was rejected as a duplicate.
- Short for “The Onion Router”, Tor routes your web traffic through multiple layers (hence the onion metaphor). This process makes your IP address and browsing activity untraceable.
Understanding the Dark Web
In its initial notice, Samsung specifically mentioned that the hack did not involve Social Security numbers or credit and debit card numbers, alarming some who questioned why the company had access to that kind of information at all. “Every new mass communication technology that comes out, you have hackers and thieves and fraudsters trying to come out. It happened with the telegraph, it happened with the telephone, it happened with the internet,” said Hayden. Because of its anonymity, the dark web is frequently used by a wide variety of criminals, including cybercriminals, hackers, terrorists, and drug dealers. While the dark web uses the internet, it’s only accessible via special software, authorization, or configurations. If you tried to access a dark website with a traditional browser, like Google Chrome, Safari, or Internet Explorer, you would receive an error message.
Protect yourself with these dark web security tips
The dark web refers to a hidden part of the internet that cannot be accessed through regular search engines. It operates anonymously and often facilitates illegal activities, including the sale and trade of stolen personal information. Due to its nature, the dark web has become a hotbed for cybercriminals seeking to profit from selling personal data, such as social security numbers.
Not all U.S. workers obtained SSNs during the initial registration period. Seventy years ago, these exempt workers comprised about 40 percent of the working population. These groups were not covered primarily because of the administrative difficulty in collecting taxes and obtaining accurate wage reports (Department of Treasury 1947, 1; DeWitt, Béland, and Berkowitz 2008, 4). However, hiring field staff had to await the results of the “examination for administrative officer” (civil service test) given in August 1936. The resulting register was not made available to the Board until December 1936 (McKinley and Frase 1970, 129). So in November 1936 the Board instead assigned headquarters staff to 56 Bureau field offices, covering all but one of the cities where the Post Office Department had set up its “central accounting” offices.
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The Risks of Exposing Your Social Security Number
Your social security number is a unique identification code that holds considerable value to cybercriminals. With this information, they can commit identity theft, open fraudulent bank accounts, apply for credit cards, or even file false tax returns. The consequences of having your social security number fall into the wrong hands can be devastating and long-lasting.
Identity Theft: Exposing your social security number on the dark web puts you at a higher risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. Cybercriminals can use your personal information to impersonate you and carry out various fraudulent activities in your name.
Financial Loss: Once a criminal gains access to your social security number, they can potentially access your financial accounts, leading to significant financial losses. This includes draining your bank accounts, making unauthorized purchases, or even taking out loans in your name.
Credit Damage: Fraudsters can use your social security number to apply for credit cards or loans, leaving you with a damaged credit history. This can impact your ability to secure loans or obtain favorable interest rates in the future.
If you’re an Allstate Identity Protection member, log in to your account dashboard to activate dark web monitoring. The dark web can be used for legitimate activities, such as communicating privately. However, because it offers complete anonymity, the dark web is often used for illegal or malicious online activities, such as drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering. Under the surface of the internet lies the dark web, a collection of networks and websites that can’t be accessed through traditional search engines or browsers.
Protecting Your Social Security Number
Secure your data with identity protection software from McAfee
Dark web monitoring tools help businesses and individuals alike by searching for any confidential information on the dark web, including login credentials, trade secrets and proprietary information. As the name suggests, Dark Web scanning works by searching the Dark Web to locate any stolen personal data and then alerting you if personal information is found for yourself or members in your organization. This enables you to then take the appropriate steps to help mitigate any potential damage/incidents. It should be noted that not all data exposed in data breaches ends up on the Dark Web, so if your data isn’t found this doesn’t guarantee that you haven’t been breached.
While no method is foolproof, there are several steps you can take to minimize the risk of your social security number ending up on the dark web:
1. Guard it carefully: Treat your social security number as highly sensitive information. Avoid sharing it unnecessarily and refrain from carrying your Social Security card with you unless absolutely necessary.
You don’t shop online, but you use your credit card to purchase goods in physical retail stores. Then, maybe you learn of a data breach that specifically includes credit and debit card data used at Point-of-Sale (POS) systems for in-store purchases, and it includes a store at which you shop. The dark web can only be accessed with a special internet browser called Tor, and it contains all manner of malicious websites, services and sellers.
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2. Strengthen your online security: Use strong and unique passwords for all your online accounts, enable two-factor authentication, and regularly update your security software.
3. Be cautious online: Be mindful of the websites you visit, especially when providing personal information. Stick to reputable and secure websites, indicated by the “https://” prefix and a lock icon in the browser’s address bar.
4. Regularly monitor your accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank statements, credit reports, and any other financial accounts to identify any suspicious activity promptly.
5. Freeze your credit: Consider placing a freeze on your credit report, which restricts access to your credit history. This makes it more challenging for criminals to open new lines of credit in your name.
Conclusion
How can I check if my SSN was leaked?
Protecting your social security number is crucial in today’s digital landscape, where cybercriminals actively target personal information for illicit purposes. Remember, the dark web poses significant risks, and your social security number is a prime target for hackers. By following the aforementioned precautions and staying vigilant, you can mitigate the chances of falling victim to identity theft and financial fraud.
