What is dark web monitoring, and why does it matter?

You might never have visited the dark web, but your personal information could already be for sale there. In this hidden marketplace, stolen credentials and exposed records are auctioned off to eager buyers, fueling an underground economy built on exploitation.

Dark web monitoring helps shine a light into this hidden world, alerting you when your information is at risk and giving you a chance to act before criminals do.

In this guide, we explain what dark web monitoring is, how it works, and why it’s worth considering.

Please note: This information is for general educational purposes and does not constitute financial or legal advice.

How does dark web monitoring work?

Dark web monitoring services like ExpressVPN’s ID Alerts are tools that perform data breach monitoring specifically on the dark web (not to be confused with the deep web). They surveil the places where sensitive information is shared and sold on the dark web, and if your details appear, they notify you immediately, giving you the opportunity to secure your accounts before criminals attempt to exploit them.

Dark web monitoring tools can do this thanks to automated crawlers, software designed to systematically browse websites and online platforms. These programs scan hidden forums, marketplaces, and chat rooms for things like stolen credentials or leaked information. Then, after they finish collecting data, the monitoring system compares it against the specific information you’ve asked it to protect. If there’s a match, you’re alerted.

Dark web monitoring differs from dark web scanning in that a scan is a one-off check, whereas monitoring provides ongoing protection and real-time alerts.

Why use dark web monitoring?

Dark web monitoring gives you early visibility into leaked data and emerging threats. It can alert you quickly if personal information like login credentials, financial data, or identity documents is exposed, allowing you to act quickly to prevent misuse.

Common threats found on the dark web

Monitoring the dark web can help protect you from dangers such as:

• Unauthorized access and fraud: Criminals buy stolen credentials to break into accounts and corporate networks, which can lead to data breaches, financial theft, or even ransomware attacks.
• Phishing campaigns: Phishing kits (or prebuilt tools or templates for phishing) sold on the dark web make it easy to launch convincing scams that trick you into giving up sensitive information.
• Ransomware and malware: Attackers purchase ready-made ransomware or other malicious software to lock down systems, steal data, or disrupt operations.
• Identity theft and scams: Personal information sold on the dark web can be used to commit identity theft, fraudulent transactions, and other long-term financial crimes.
• Corporate espionage: Leaked trade secrets, intellectual property, or sensitive business documents can be exploited by competitors or hostile actors.
• Reputational and regulatory damage: When sensitive information surfaces on the dark web, organizations risk losing customer trust, facing regulatory penalties, and suffering lasting harm to their brand.

The wide range of harm that can come from stolen personal information highlights the importance of data privacy in the modern world.

Types of data often exposed

Here are the most common types of data that end up on the dark web after being leaked or stolen:

• Personal identifiers: Names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security or national ID numbers, and passport details.
• Login credentials: Usernames and passwords from compromised accounts.
• Financial data: Credit card numbers, bank account details, and payment information.
• Health data: Medical records, insurance details, and other sensitive health information.
• Corporate data: Intellectual property, trade secrets, employee records, or internal communications.

How does personal information get on the dark web?

Cybercriminals obtain personal and corporate information using a variety of methods and then put it up for sale on the dark web for other criminals to use.

Here are three of the most common ways data is stolen:

• Data breaches: Hackers exploit vulnerabilities or weak security to break into company, government, or online databases and steal large volumes of sensitive records.
• Phishing: Emails, messages, or websites that impersonate legitimate sources to trick people into revealing personal information; for example, a fake banking email that prompts a user to enter login credentials.
• Malware: Malicious software installed on a device to secretly collect personal information. Examples include keyloggers that secretly record the victim's keystrokes.
• Intercepting data on unprotected networks: Capturing information as it travels over unsecured connections, like open public Wi-Fi networks. This is called a man-in-the-middle attack.

After personal information is stolen, it’s typically packaged as "fullz" (or a complete set of personal data). Then, it’s distributed through dark web marketplaces, forums, or private chat channels to other cybercriminals who may use the purchased data for identity theft, fraudulent transactions, account takeovers, or other illicit purposes.

Real-world examples of dark web threats

Below, we examine some famous cases that illustrate how dark web activity can lead to real-world harm.

High-profile data breaches

Large-scale breaches often fuel dark web marketplaces. Here are two notable recent data breaches.

In 2023, a vulnerability in a file transfer software called MOVEit Transfer allowed a ransomware group called Cl0p to gain access to the data of thousands of organizations, including banks, airlines, and even federal agencies. Compromised data included the full name, date of birth, Social Security number, banking and payment info, and more. Much of this stolen information was later leaked and circulated on dark web forums, where datasets containing millions of records from affected organizations were made available to other criminals.

The fallout from the MOVEit vulnerability continued to unfold over a year later. As late as November 2024, data associated with that hack was still being leaked, underscoring how the effects of large breaches can ripple outward for months or even years, with sensitive information resurfacing long after the initial attack.

Another major data breach that made the headlines was the National Public Data breach, which occurred in 2023-2024. National Public Data, a background-check company, was hacked, resulting in the potential exposure of billions of personal records, from names and email addresses to phone numbers and mailing addresses. Stolen data was posted for sale on BreachForums, a well-known dark web marketplace, with attackers attempting to profit from the massive dataset.

After the incident, National Public Data’s parent company, Jericho Pictures, faced mounting lawsuits, liabilities, and civil penalties. It ultimately filed for bankruptcy in October 2024. As a result, compensation outcomes for victims remain uncertain, even as the exposed data remains in circulation on the dark web.

Identity theft cases

If data leaks are the fuel, identity theft is often the fire. Recently, the rise of artificial intelligence and the shift to online classes have fueled a surge in financial aid fraud, with crime rings using fabricated and/or stolen identities and AI chatbots to enroll in online courses and claim federal student aid.

This has resulted in significant financial losses for governments and educational institutions. It has also created long-term complications for victims whose personal information was misused, including potential credit issues, frozen accounts, and delays in accessing their own aid.

Privacy and cost considerations of dark web monitoring

Understanding the costs and privacy implications of dark web monitoring can help you make an informed decision about whether or not to subscribe to a dark web monitoring service.

How much does dark web monitoring cost?

Dark web monitoring services vary in price, influenced by factors such as the scope of monitoring, how many people it needs to cover, and the inclusion of additional features like identity theft insurance or credit monitoring. ExpressVPN’s dark web monitoring service is included at no additional cost for eligible U.S. customers on select plans.

Business and enterprise solutions can be much more expensive, with prices varying widely depending on the size of the organization and the complexity of the monitoring required.

While dark web monitoring comes with a cost, the consequences of a breach can be far higher. For individuals, recovering from identity theft costs can be time-consuming and expensive. Victims may also suffer from mental stress and face long-term complications, such as damaged credit. For large organizations, identity theft stemming from data breaches can cost millions in direct losses, not to mention long-term reputational damage and regulatory penalties.

Does dark web monitoring affect your privacy?

In order for a dark web monitoring tool to function, it needs some identifying information to search for, like your full name, email address, usernames, phone numbers, or even your Social Security number. It’s natural to feel some apprehension when handing over such sensitive information.

However, legitimate dark web monitoring services won’t compromise your privacy, because they don’t require access to your accounts or personal communications to operate. They only scan publicly accessible sources on the dark web.

Reputable identity theft protection services, like ExpressVPN’s Identity Defender, also use strong encryption to protect the information you provide and follow strict privacy policies that ensure that your data is only accessed when necessary to alert you of potential threats.

How to protect yourself from dark web risks

Both individuals and organizations can take proactive steps to greatly reduce the risk of identity theft, data leaks, and other threats associated with the dark web.

Practical steps for individuals

Here are some easy things you can do to safeguard your data:

1. Use strong, unique passwords: Make sure your passwords are long, don’t include any easily guessable details (like birthdates), and aren't reused across multiple platforms. If you have trouble generating or remembering complex passwords, consider using a password manager like ExpressVPN Keys.
2. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA helps prevent account takeovers by requiring another form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password. This means that a threat actor would need both your password and your phone or authentication app to access your account. If you have an ExpressVPN account, you can use ExpressVPN Keys to generate 2FA codes for supported logins.
3. Be cautious with personal information: Limit the amount of personal information you share online. The less information available publicly, the lower your risk of being targeted by cybercriminals.
4. Beware of phishing and malware: Be careful when clicking links, opening attachments, or downloading files, and learn to recognize phishing red flags in emails or messages.
5. Monitor your personal information: Regularly check your financial accounts, credit reports, and other sensitive records for unusual activity that might indicate identity theft.
6. Keep your system and software up to date: Software updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities. Keeping your operating system, applications, and devices current reduces your exposure to attacks that could result in data theft.
7. Install an antivirus program: Antivirus software helps detect, block, and remove malware that could steal your personal information.
8. Use a virtual private network (VPN): A VPN like ExpressVPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, making your data unreadable by third parties and protecting your online privacy.

Best practices for businesses

Organizations also face risks from the dark web. To strengthen defenses, businesses can:

1. Build a security-first culture: Train employees to spot threats and make data protection part of everyday operations.
2. Protect accounts and access: Use identity management tools, role-based access, and multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of compromised credentials.
3. Keep systems updated: Regularly patch software and monitor assets to prevent attackers from exploiting overlooked vulnerabilities.
4. Secure devices and cloud environments: Apply coordinated protections across laptops, mobile devices, cloud services, and on-site servers.
5. Monitor the dark web and plan for incidents: Detect leaks early and maintain a tested incident response plan to minimize damage if a breach occurs.

How to respond if your data is found on the dark web

Discovering that your personal information has been exposed on the dark web can be unsettling. However, taking prompt and decisive action can help mitigate potential risks. Here are the key steps to take if your data has been compromised:

1. Identify the leaked information: Determine what specific data has been compromised. Full names and email addresses are concerning but less critical than sensitive information like Social Security numbers, credit card details, or login credentials.
2. Change compromised passwords: Immediately update any passwords associated with the exposed information. Enable MFA on all of your accounts if you haven’t already.
3. Monitor all of your accounts: Watch for any suspicious activity, such as unauthorized transactions on your bank or credit card statements.
4. Place fraud alerts or credit freezes: Options such as fraud alerts or credit freezes, available through credit bureaus, can make it harder for identity thieves to misuse your information.
5. Scan devices for malware: Run comprehensive antivirus scans on all devices that may have been compromised.
6. Stay vigilant against phishing attempts: Cybercriminals may use data on you that they’ve obtained from the dark web to craft convincing phishing attacks. Always verify the authenticity of any requests for information before responding.

Final thoughts on dark web monitoring

Dark web monitoring offers valuable insight into potential threats, but it’s not a cure-all. It provides alerts and intelligence, helping you respond quickly if sensitive information is detected, but it can’t prevent breaches from occurring in the first place.

Effective protection ultimately takes proactivity. Cultivating good digital habits, like using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and staying alert to phishing attempts, is just as important as monitoring for leaks. Dark web monitoring simply adds an extra layer of awareness, helping you identify risks that might otherwise go unnoticed.

In a constantly evolving digital landscape, staying informed and prepared is key. Used thoughtfully, dark web monitoring empowers you to detect potential leaks early, respond to threats promptly, and reduce the overall risk to your data. But it should be viewed as one layer of a broader cybersecurity strategy to ensure realistic expectations and encourage a more resilient approach to digital safety.