Is Your Data Exposed? Here’s How PureVPN Protects Your Most Critical Assets

 

Assets

 

While you scroll through social media or check your emails, a parallel economy exists beneath the surface of the web – one where your personal data is being bought, sold, and exploited without your knowledge. 

 

The dark web, which makes up 90% of the internet, is a hidden and highly unregulated space where cybercriminals trade stolen credentials, financial details, and even full identities. Gaining access requires special software like Tor, and even then, navigating these dangerous marketplaces is time-consuming and unsafe for the average person.

 

This vulnerability is precisely what PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring aims to address. It empowers users with continuous monitoring of the dark web for their most critical identifiers, alerting you if your identifier or associated data is found in any of the breaches so you can take action before it’s exploited.

 

The Alarming Truth Behind Data Breaches

The digital age has brought unparalleled convenience, but it has also opened the floodgates to cybercrime. According to a report by IBM, the global average cost of a data breach in 2024 was a staggering $4.88 million. But the financial toll is just the tip of the iceberg. In 2023, the average data breach exposed 1.97 million records, and in 2024 over 560 billion assets were stolen. 

 

To make matters worse, 1.38 billion passwords are currently circulating on the dark web, and 61% of data breaches are malware-related. These statistics paint a grim picture: your personal information is a hot commodity in the underground markets of the dark web.

 

The average person has nine data breaches associated with their digital identity, each exposing millions of records. Yet, many remain unaware of these breaches until they experience fraud or identity theft. By then, it’s often too late. The question isn’t whether your data is at risk – it’s when it will be exploited.

 

Why Choose PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring

The sheer scale of the dark web is staggering. It’s a maze of hidden forums and marketplaces, a digital underworld that’s nearly impossible for individuals to navigate safely, let alone monitor effectively. 

 

Manually checking these shadowy corners is not only time-consuming but incredibly risky.

That’s why PureVPN has stepped in with its Dark Web Monitoring feature.

 

PureVPN understands that certain assets of your digital identity are more valuable to cybercriminals than others. They’ve focused their Dark Web Monitoring on five crucial personal identifiers that matter most:

 

1. Email Addresses

Your email is the gateway to your online life. It’s used for everything from banking to social media, making it a prime target for hackers. A compromised email address can give attackers access to a wealth of personal information. 

 

Insider fact: Email addresses on their own are surprisingly cheap — 10 million U.S. email addresses sell for $120.

 

2. Credit Card Numbers

Stolen credit card numbers are a goldmine for fraudsters. They can be used to make unauthorized purchases, open fraudulent accounts, and wreak havoc on your financial life. 

 

Did you know? It takes years to build your credit score, but mere minutes for dark web criminals to destroy it. Your credit card number along with its associated information cost between just $14-$30 on the dark web.

 

3. Social Security Numbers (SSNs)/ National Identification Numbers (NINs)
   Your SSN/NIN is the key to your identity. It’s used for everything from employment to government benefits. A stolen SSN/NIN can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and years of headaches.

 

4. Phone Numbers:

Your phone number is often linked to your other online accounts, making it a valuable piece of information for cybercriminals. It can be used for phishing attacks, SIM swapping, and other malicious activities.

 

5. Passport Number: 

A compromised passport number opens the door to identity theft and fraudulent travel, potentially wreaking havoc on your personal life and reputation.

 

Unlike other services which either offer too little protection like NordVPN or overload users with unnecessary alerts like Proton, PureVPN strikes the perfect balance – providing comprehensive coverage and timely alerts if their identifiers and associated data appear in a breach – without overwhelming the user.

 

Besides this, to help individuals assess their digital security, PureVPN now also offers a Dark Web Exposure Scan for everyone including non-users, which is accessible via a dedicated feature page. This initiative highlights the increasing risks of data breaches and empowers users to take proactive measures to prevent data exploitation.

How PureVPN Works

In a world where data breaches are becoming increasingly common, PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring is an essential tool for anyone who values their digital security. It’s time to take control of your online identity and shine a light on the darkest corners of the web.  

 

The rollout is happening gradually across devices, so make sure your app is updated. If you still don’t see it, you can access Dark Web Monitoring anytime in the Members Area.

 

Here’s how it empowers you:

Continuous Monitoring

PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring continuously scans dark web marketplaces and forums 24/7 to detect any leaks involving your monitored assets.

Timely Alerts

If your information is found, you receive timely alerts, allowing you to respond before cybercriminals can exploit your data.

Actionable Insights

Each alert comes with detailed breach information, including the name of the breach, its severity, and other actionable insights. This allows you to understand the specific risk and the steps required to minimize the damage. PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring also provides personalized recommendations and steps to prevent future misuse of your information.

 

Moreover, to ensure users’ digital identifiers remain secure, they are encrypted before being transmitted to PureVPN’s servers, where the data is stored using SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm).

 

Bottom Line

Your personal data isn’t just stolen- it’s sold, traded, and exploited on dark web marketplaces. By the time you find out, the damage is already done.

 

PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring flips the script. Instead of waiting for a breach to wreak havoc, you get timely alerts, breach details, and proactive steps to take before cybercriminals misuse your data. 

 

Secure beyond the surface. Start monitoring with PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring today.