Keeping track of your leaked data online is a challenging task, leading to the emergence of various services that monitor the dark web for personal information. Some services, like Have I Been Pwned, offer free monitoring, while others are part of paid software packages or antivirus suites.
Google has joined this effort with its dark web monitoring service, previously available exclusively to Google One subscribers.
However, this is set to change later this month as Google plans to make its dark web reports accessible to all eligible users through the Results About You dashboard in select countries.
Previously, free users could only see where their personal contact information was exposed online, while Google One subscribers received additional insights, such as alerts about their social security numbers appearing on the dark web.
For those seeking more proactive monitoring, Google allows users to manually customize their monitoring profile to track specific details. Earlier this year, for instance, a family member received a notification about their social security number being compromised in an AT&T data breach, despite not initially including it in their profile.
Concerned about privacy? Users have the option to delete their monitoring profile from the Edit monitoring profile page, halting the reports. Restarting monitoring requires creating a new profile.
Staying vigilant against data breaches and leaks is essential for online security, although it can be overwhelming. Simplify your approach by using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, utilizing a reputable password manager, and ensuring your antivirus software is regularly updated.