At Microsoft’s annual Build conference on Tuesday, the company announced a slew of new or expanded AI initiatives, including a super app, in-house reasoning models, a cybersecurity tool, and OpenClaw-esque AI agents. All this news added up to a clear message: Microsoft is positioned to be one of the biggest players in AI, and it’s finally acting like it.
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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)
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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.
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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
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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
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Technology
Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman says there are three labs that matter — and he wants Microsoft to be the fourth.
For years, Microsoft’s AI business leaned hard on its early and exclusive partnership with OpenAI. But the drama-filled marriage slowly devolved into a situationship, and the pair effectively separated in late April (though Microsoft is still OpenAI’s primary cloud partner — for now). This year’s Build had the vibe of a freshly single divorcée posting a thirst trap on Instagram. “It’s always fun to be at developer conferences in times of great change,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said onstage Tuesday, adding that events like this are about “coming to grips with the new opportunity.”
AI chief Mustafa Suleyman, in an interview with The Verge, put it even more bluntly.
“The goal is to prove that we can become one of the top four labs in the world,” Suleyman said. “There’s three labs that matter, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and Anthropic. We are not one of them at the moment, and that’s always been my intention. It’s why I came here. I want to build the very best frontier models in the world, fully multimodal, and in order to do that, we have to prove that we can do everything that we need to from the ground up, and we’re not just going to take from others.”
One of Microsoft’s first steps at Build was indeed to play catch-up on AI models. Suleyman unveiled MAI-Thinking-1, the company’s first reasoning model, along with six other new models focused on image, voice, transcription, and coding. Microsoft said the medium-size MAI-Thinking-1 model, which will likely be marketed to primarily enterprise clients, is “built from scratch for serious math, coding, and real-world enterprise deployment.” Microsoft is years behind both OpenAI and Anthropic here; OpenAI began releasing reasoning models in the fall of 2024. But Suleyman emphasized its performance on benchmarks like coding and its price point, saying it was cheaper than OpenAI equivalents on some tasks — a big deal in the age of the AI money squeeze, which has inspired a lot of complaints with customers.
While Microsoft has had years to glean insights from OpenAI, Suleyman made sure to mention that its development did not involve any distillation, meaning that it wasn’t trained using a different company’s AI model. If MAI-Thinking-1 is good, Microsoft clearly doesn’t want people thinking it’s due to the influence of OpenAI.
Suleyman told The Verge that for Microsoft, “the pivotal moment was renegotiating our contract with OpenAI. That meant that we were allowed to train models at a larger scale and explicitly pursue superintelligence entirely with our own IP, with our own data, no distillation, training from scratch.”
Nadella also highlighted Microsoft’s recently launched AI cybersecurity tool MDASH, which he said brings together 100 AI agents to find exploitable bugs “better than any single model.” It was clearly a dig at Claude Mythos Preview, which Anthropic introduced in April to much fear and fanfare — and expanded access to just before Build. OpenAI has its own cybersecurity-focused system as well, and all three companies will likely use their offerings to jockey for position in the government and enterprise markets they desperately need to court.
Microsoft is in a more complex situation with AI agents. The popular open-source platform OpenClaw demonstrated a potential path forward for AI agents, and after OpenAI quickly hired its creator, Peter Steinberger, Microsoft (among other companies) is trying to catch up. One of its key strategies is making OpenClaw work well with Windows. At Build, Nadella said he was very committed to OpenClaw support, and Microsoft employees chatted with developers in the audience about how they were using it.
Steinberger himself made a surprise appearance to great audience reaction, taking the stage to boast about how OpenClaw had bolstered its security and earned user trust. “What I kept hearing was, ‘Peter, I love my Claw, but can I use it at work?’” Steinberger said. “You can totally run OpenClaw inside your company now, and we even made the harness itself a plug-in.” Steinberger said that whether someone trusts Copilot, Codex, or another company’s coding platform, users can now run OpenClaw on top of that via Windows.
But Microsoft is also promoting its own separate Copilot “super app” that integrates OpenClaw-esque agents. A super app is a major focal point for OpenAI right now — president Greg Brockman is leading development of one that will tie together ChatGPT, the Codex coding platform, and the Atlas web browser. Microsoft’s strategy is similar, bringing together a variety of existing Copilot AI assistants. Its agents, called “Autopilots,” are designed to act as a helpful user interface. Cassidy Williams, GitHub’s senior director of developer advocacy, called Copilot “your home base for development and operations on your computer,” demonstrating how multiple agents could perform tasks like app-building. (In an extra flourish, Williams demonstrated how she could approve or deny code changes by flashing her computer camera a thumbs-up or thumbs-down.)
Autopilots are designed specifically to appeal to business customers — Nadella called them “autonomous, long-running agents with full enterprise compliance.” The first one Microsoft will offer is “Scout,” billed as “your always-on personal agent,” but clients can build and personalize their own. The Autopilot agents should be able to look through an email inbox, join group chats in Teams, check a calendar, and send daily briefings, among other things. Accordingly, employees on stage at Build repeatedly emphasized Copilot’s security tools and guardrails — obviously aiming to calm enterprise clients who may have heard horror stories about tools like OpenClaw.
Suleyman made sure to emphasize, again and again, Microsoft’s “humanist superintelligence” as an “AI that prioritizes humanity first” — part of AI companies’ recent rebrand of AGI to make it sound less frightening in an era when people are pushing back against AI more than ever before.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, another speaker known for working closely with OpenAI, appeared via video call to tout how Nvidia’s RTX Spark chip is fueling Microsoft’s AI agent goals. “I could be traveling and I’m on the phone and I can text my PC … and it would fire up the tools on the PC,” Huang said. “The idea that the PC evolved from a personal computer to a personal AI is just really exciting.”
Microsoft spent years betting on OpenAI, and in some ways, that’s left it behind in the AI race. But as OpenAI and other competitors turn to enterprise to finally make money, it’s got some obvious advantages. Microsoft already has a substantial client base and, compared with other AI companies, a reputation for safety and security. And like Google, it also has deep pockets, considerable computing resources, and a diversified revenue stream, meaning it can take big bets without a ton of risk.
Suleyman told The Verge, “There’s a lot of people who are either like chasing startup valuations or about to IPO, so we can operate with a little bit more humility and a little bit more long-term optimization.” He added, “We’ve got the money to be able to buy Anthropic [models] when we need to. We’ve got the optionality in Azure with 11,000 models, so people can use literally whatever they want whenever they want, but that buys us the time to do it right from the start.”
At the same time, there are a lot of unanswered questions here. Microsoft called out a lot of benchmark wins and advancements for its seven new models, but that doesn’t always translate to real-world adoption, and even a new model that pulls ahead for a week or two can quickly fall behind. AI super apps are a mostly yet-untested idea. And Microsoft is entering a crowded yet still largely underwhelming AI agent marketplace with a product that we haven’t seen in action. There’s still plenty of room for its promises to fall flat.
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Anyone who travels a lot knows the moment. You reach the TSA line, your bag slides off your shoulder, your boarding pass is somewhere on your phone and your passport somehow sinks to the bottom of your carry-on. Samsung wants to make that routine less annoying.
The company has partnered with CLEAR to launch Samsung ID with CLEAR, a free digital ID inside Samsung Wallet. It uses information from a U.S. passport and lets eligible Galaxy users verify their identity at more than 250 TSA checkpoints that support digital IDs.
That sounds incredibly convenient. Still, this new feature also raises a bigger question. How much of your identity should live inside one app on your phone?
If you use an iPhone, we break down Apple’s version here.
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Samsung partnered with CLEAR to bring digital passport verification to Galaxy phones through Samsung Wallet. (Samsung)
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What is Samsung ID with CLEAR?
Samsung ID with CLEAR is a mobile digital ID stored in Samsung Wallet. It is backed by information from your U.S. passport and verified by CLEAR.
Once approved, you can use it at supported TSA checkpoints by presenting your phone instead of digging out your physical ID. Samsung says travelers can present the ID with a tap or QR scan.
That could make a real difference when you are juggling a carry-on, laptop bag, coffee and impatient travelers behind you.
Woncheol Chai, EVP and Head of Digital Wallet Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, said the feature is designed to make airport travel and identity verification “easier and frictionless” for users.
However, this feature does not mean you should leave your passport or REAL ID-compliant document at home. Keep a physical ID with you in case TSA needs it or a checkpoint does not support digital ID verification.
Who can use Samsung ID with CLEAR?
Right now, Samsung ID with CLEAR has a few important limits. Samsung says the feature is available to U.S. passport holders and works only at select TSA checkpoints that support digital ID verification.
Samsung Wallet itself requires a compatible Samsung smartphone, Android 9.0 or higher and a Samsung account. However, availability can still depend on your phone, airport and TSA reader support.
That means you should not assume every TSA lane will accept it. Look for a supported digital ID checkpoint before relying on your Galaxy phone.
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Ways to set up Samsung ID with CLEAR
Here’s how Samsung says you can add Samsung ID with CLEAR to Samsung Wallet:
- Open Samsung Wallet
- Go to the Quick Access tab
- Tap the + button
- Select Digital IDs
- Choose Samsung ID with CLEAR
- Tap Get Card
- Follow the on-screen prompts
CLEAR verifies U.S. passports added to Samsung Wallet, then Samsung Wallet stores the digital ID on your phone.
Samsung ID with CLEAR may make airport security easier, but travelers should still carry a physical passport or REAL ID-compliant document. (O2O Creative/Getty Images)
How Samsung ID with CLEAR works at TSA
Once your Samsung ID with CLEAR is approved, you can use it at supported TSA checkpoints. Samsung and CLEAR say travelers can present the ID with a tap or QR scan.
That means you may be able to keep your physical passport in your bag while moving through airport security. Still, Samsung notes the feature only works at select TSA checkpoints with compatible TSA reader machines. A boarding pass may also still be required for ID verification at the checkpoint.
So, the smart move is simple. Use the phone for convenience, but keep your backup ID close.
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Where else Samsung ID with CLEAR can be used
Samsung says Samsung Wallet now supports passports, travel, age 21+ checks and other government use cases through this CLEAR integration. The company also says Samsung ID with CLEAR can be used at select sporting arenas, including BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Samsung isn’t the only tech company moving in this direction. Apple Wallet and Google Wallet also support passport-based digital IDs for domestic TSA checks at select airports. The difference here is that Samsung’s version uses CLEAR for identity verification and places the credential inside Samsung Wallet.
That could make venue entry and age checks faster. Instead of handing over your driver’s license or passport, you may be able to verify from your phone.
This is where the bigger digital wallet race gets interesting. Your phone already stores payment cards, tickets, boarding passes, keys and loyalty cards. Now identity is becoming part of that same experience.
Is Samsung ID with CLEAR secure?
Samsung says Samsung ID with CLEAR requires fingerprint or PIN access. The company also says Samsung Knox helps secure the digital ID on Galaxy devices and that ID information is encrypted directly on the device.
That should give users some confidence. However, convenience always comes with tradeoffs.
A digital ID can reduce how often you pull out your passport. It can also lower the odds of leaving your ID behind at a checkpoint, bar or stadium counter.
At the same time, your phone becomes even more important. If it gets lost, damaged, locked or drained, you need another way to prove who you are.
Samsung ID with CLEAR lets eligible Galaxy users store a passport-backed digital ID in Samsung Wallet for use at supported TSA checkpoints. (iStock)
How to use Samsung ID with CLEAR more safely
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
Before adding your passport to Samsung Wallet, update your phone and Samsung Wallet app. On your Galaxy phone, go to Settings → Software update → Download and install. To update Samsung Wallet, open the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store → search Samsung Wallet → tap Update if one is available.
Also, make sure your Samsung account has strong protection. Go to Settings → tap your Samsung account name at the top → Security and privacy → Two-step verification and make sure it is turned on.
Use fingerprint authentication or a secure PIN. To check this, go to Settings → Security and privacy → Lock screen → Screen lock type, then choose a stronger unlock method. Avoid obvious PINs like birthdays, repeated numbers or your street address.
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You should also keep your physical passport or REAL ID-compliant document in a safe pocket of your bag. That gives you a fallback if a TSA reader is unavailable or your phone fails.
Finally, review what you store in Samsung Wallet. Open Samsung Wallet → tap All → review your cards, passes, IDs and keys. Digital wallets can be useful, but they should not become a messy drawer for every credential you own.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Samsung ID with CLEAR could make travel feel a little less frustrating. For frequent flyers, the appeal is obvious. Your phone is already in your hand, your bag is probably full and the TSA line rarely feels like the place to start searching for documents. Still, this is about more than airport convenience. The more your phone becomes your wallet, key ring, boarding pass and ID holder, the more you need to protect it like the center of your digital life. Digital IDs may soon feel normal. For now, Samsung ID with CLEAR looks useful, but your physical passport still deserves a safe spot in your bag.
Would you trust your phone enough to use it as your main ID at the airport, or does that feel like giving one device too much control over your life? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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