Technology
Dark web monitoring: does it put your data at risk?
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
You hear the phrase “dark web monitoring,” and it can feel unsettling. If a company is scanning shady corners of the internet for your information, are they exposing you even more?
That question comes up often. In fact, Joyce from Florida wrote in with a concern many people share:
“When companies scan the dark web for your data, doesn’t that put you at risk? Your information is now out there. Please explain what that really means.” Joyce, Fanning Springs, Fla.
Joyce, great question. A lot of people assume these services are pushing your data somewhere new. That isn’t what is happening. The short answer is simple. No, dark web monitoring does not put your information at risk. Let’s walk through what is really going on.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENS ON THE DARK WEB, AND HOW TO STAY SAFE
Dark web monitoring checks breach dumps, hacker forums and leaked databases for personal information that may already be exposed. (Annette Riedl/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Join CyberGuy Live: Lock Down Your Phone in 30 Minutes (Saturday, June 13, 10 am ET)
- Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free, live online class, Kurt the CyberGuy will walk you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do in real time. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Register here: CyberGuyLive.com
What is dark web monitoring and how does it work
These services are not uploading your data anywhere. They are not spreading your information.
Instead, they are:
- Monitoring known data breach dumps, hacker forums and leaked databases
- Searching for matches to your information, like your email or phone number
- Alerting you if your data is already found there
Here is the key point to understand. Your information is already out there before they ever find it.
Does dark web monitoring expose your data? A simple way to think about it
The simple answer is no. Think of it like checking if your stolen credit card is being used. No one is putting your card out there.
A monitoring service watches for signs that your data is already in use, so you can shut it down quickly.
10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE
How dark web monitoring works without exposing your information
Reputable services use secure methods to check for your data. They are designed to protect your information during the process.
These include:
- Hashed searches, where your data turns into unreadable code before checking
- Secure databases and APIs that compare data without exposing it
- Monitoring existing breach datasets instead of live personal accounts
They are not:
- Logging into your accounts
- Posting your information
- Interacting with criminals on your behalf
That distinction matters. They are observers, not participants.
Dark web monitoring can help users respond quickly by changing passwords, freezing credit or locking down affected accounts. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
When dark web monitoring could put your data at risk
While the concept itself is safe, the provider you choose matters. There can be a risk if:
- You use an unknown or untrusted service
- A company asks for sensitive documents without a clear reason
- The service itself has weak security and gets breached
That is why it is important to stick with well-known providers that have a strong track record.
BE AWARE OF EXTORTION SCAM EMAILS CLAIMING YOUR DATA IS STOLEN
Why dark web monitoring is actually helpful
Without monitoring, you might never know your data was exposed. That means:
- Your email and password could be circulating for months
- Someone could open accounts in your name
- Your information could be resold again and again
With monitoring, you get an early warning. That gives you time to change passwords, lock accounts and stop fraud before it spreads. In many cases, that early alert is the difference between a close call and a major financial hit.
Ways to stay safe from data breaches and identity theft
Even with monitoring, you should take simple steps to protect yourself.
1) Limit how much data is out there
Use a data removal service to reduce your exposure over time. A data removal service works to remove your personal data from data broker sites. That reduces how much of your information is circulating online in the first place. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
2) Stick with trusted services
Choose an identity theft protection service with strong security practices and clear privacy policies. They monitor your personal information and alert you quickly if it appears in breaches or suspicious activity. They also include identity theft protection tools in one place. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com
Data breach alerts can warn users when emails, phone numbers or passwords are found in leaked databases. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
3) Watch for alerts and act quickly
If you get a breach alert, change your password right away. Avoid reusing passwords across accounts. A password manager can help. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com
THE ONE THING SCAMMERS CHECK BEFORE TARGETING YOU ONLINE
4) Turn on two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of protection, even if your password is compromised.
5) Freeze your credit if needed
A credit freeze can stop criminals from opening new accounts in your name without your approval.
6) Monitor your financial accounts regularly
Check your bank and credit card statements often to catch suspicious activity early.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Dark web monitoring does not expose your data. It checks whether your data has already been exposed. Think of it as a radar system. It scans for danger so you can respond before things get worse. In a world where data breaches are common, that kind of early warning can make all the difference.
If your personal data was already out there right now, would you want to know or stay in the dark? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
If you’ve been wanting to buy a robot vacuum but have been put off by how much it can cost to get a good one, now is not a bad time to start looking. Prime Day has kicked off, though more than just Amazon is offering deals on several models we’ve tested from brands like Roborock, Dreame, and Shark. Whether you’re looking for a basic robot vacuum that can cut down on the amount of vacuuming you have to do or a high-end model that can wash and dry its own mop pads and climb over room thresholds, there are deals available across a wide range of price points.
Update, June 23rd: Adjusted prices and availability and added deals for the Narwal Flow, Narwal Flow 2, and SwitchBot K11 Plus.
You knew there’d be a Hoto deal, right? Whether you’re moving into a new apartment or tackling a growing list of small repairs around the house, a good electric screwdriver can save you time and effort. Hoto’s 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit Pro is one we love to recommend, especially because it’s on sale for $28.49 ($21.50 off) at Amazon and Walmart during Prime Day, which is just $5 shy of its all-time low price.
Unlike a big power drill, the Hoto is small and lightweight enough to keep in a drawer or car trunk, yet it’s powerful enough to tackle a number of common household tasks. The kit includes 25 interchangeable steel bits along with an extension bar, making it well suited to everything from assembling furniture to making small appliance repairs, or working on scooters and bikes.
The Hoto offers three torque settings, allowing you to apply less force when working with delicate electronics and more when putting together furniture. The rechargeable 1,500mAh battery charges via USB-C and can handle dozens of small projects on a single charge. As a convenience, there’s a built-in LED light that makes it easier to see what you’re doing, which is especially handy when working behind a TV stand or under a desk.
Public pushback against data centers has emphasized their water and energy consumption, and now Nvidia is highlighting its claim that the Rubin generation reference design for a fully liquid-cooled data center has “eliminated massive amounts of power usage and pretty much all water usage.” Still, it doesn’t address all of the concerns around AI data centers, including during their construction, and for the power generation requirements of the massive facilities. Also, as Gizmodo points out, Nvidia’s blog post doesn’t mention the cost of building this style of data center vs. one using less efficient air cooling, but claims that “every cloud provider and data center operator building for [Rubin] is making the transition.”
The efficiency gains are partly due to running AI servers hotter, as high as 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius). In a recent report, Amazon similarly touted higher heat tolerances as part of making its mostly air-cooled data centers more efficient.
With Nvidia’s system, “heat is captured directly at the chip and transported through liquid loops operating at much higher temperatures, allowing outdoor dry coolers to reject heat efficiently for much of the year,” with much more flexibility when it comes to the ambient air temperature.
According to Nvidia’s head of sustainability, Josh Parker, the reference design takes water use “from roughly 2.6 million gallons per megawatt per year for conventional cooling-tower-based systems to near zero — up to a 100 percent reduction.”
-
Iowa3 minutes agoIowa State’s Joshua Jefferson selected 28th in 2026 NBA Draft
-
Kansas10 minutes agoJac Caglianone make puny ball go very far in Royals win
-
Kentucky13 minutes agoTop knee doctor confident Jayden Quaintance’s injury not a long-term concern, but clean-up procedure possible
-
Louisiana18 minutes agoCongress authorizes more than $16M for 11 projects in Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas
-
Maine25 minutes agoSaco | Ice Cream Social with Girl Scouts of Maine
-
Maryland28 minutes agoMaryland congressional incumbents cruise to primary wins
-
Michigan33 minutes agoMichigan basketball champ Yaxel Lendeborg joins Warriors, gets chance to learn from Curry, Draymond Green
-
Massachusetts40 minutes agoMassachusetts man indicted on murder charge in child’s 2017 death
