Data Privacy Guide: Methods of Exposure and Monitoring Tools

Personal data exposure occurs through various channels beyond high-profile data breaches, including the activities of data brokers who compile digital footprints from clicks, purchases, and sign-ups into profiles for advertisers and bad actors.

To identify if personal information is being sold on the dark web, several security tools and services offer monitoring capabilities. Security suites such as Avast One Free, Bitdefender Total Security, McAfee+, and Norton 360 Deluxe include dark web scanning. Additionally, VPN services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark offer features to check for exposed credit card numbers, email addresses, and national IDs. Password managers, including NordPass, Proton Pass, and Bitwarden, also provide identity monitoring services to help users reclaim their privacy.