Identity theft can happen to anyone. Your personal information could be leaked on the internet and sold on underground cybercrime forums and the dark web without you even realizing it. According to the Federal Trade Commission‘s 2021 data, there were over 1.4 million reports of identity theft and fraud, with total losses surpassing $5.8 billion.
Monitoring the dark web for your exposed information has become essential to protect yourself from identity theft. The dark web refers to encrypted corners of the internet used for illegal activities. Your email addresses, passwords, Social Security number, credit card numbers – any confidential data can end up in the hands of hackers on the dark web.
Cybercriminals access the dark web to buy and sell huge databases of personal information stolen through data breaches, malware infections, phishing scams, and unsecured online databases. For example, after the 2017 Equifax breach exposed the data of over 140 million Americans, that information spread quickly on dark web marketplaces.
Once in possession of stolen personal data, cybercriminals use it to open fraudulent accounts, make unauthorized purchases, file false tax returns, steal benefits, and commit other identity theft crimes – all under your name. They can wreck your finances and credit rating for years.
This is why today‘s top identity theft protection services offer comprehensive dark web monitoring of your information. By searching the dark web and alerting you if your details show up in their scans, these services provide an early warning system.
Dark web monitoring allows you to take quick action to minimize any potential identity theft damage. It‘s a key feature we evaluated in depth when researching the best identity theft protection and credit monitoring services.
In this guide, we will cover:
- The top 5 identity theft protection services with robust dark web monitoring and credit bureau alerts
- Key features like dark web scans, credit reports, and identity insurance compared
- Expert tips to protect yourself beyond using a monitoring service
- How dark web monitoring aids identity theft prevention as part of an overall security plan
Contents
The 5 Best Identity Theft Protection Services With Dark Web Monitoring
Based on extensive research and testing of all the top services, below are our picks for the best identity theft protection including dark web monitoring:
1. Aura – Best Overall
Aura is our choice for best overall identity theft protection because of its comprehensive dark web monitoring coupled with an intuitive app, extensive identity restoration support, and ability to monitor your finances across multiple accounts.
It searches not just the dark web, but also hacker forums and compromised data sources for personal information like your SSN, bank accounts, passwords, and more. You‘ll get alerts for suspicious activity detected and access to your credit reports and VantageScore 3.0 credit scores.
Plans start at $9/month for individuals or $18/month for families up to 5 people. All plans come with $1 million identity theft insurance, 24/7 customer support, and an intelligent assistant named Emma to help protect your digital life.
What we like:
- Comprehensive monitoring including the dark web, public records, undisclosed data sources
- Innovative features like Emma virtual assistant, Financial Locks, and screen exposure alerts
- Ability to link and monitor multiple financial accounts
- 24/7 support and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance
Try Aura for Free or read our full review of Aura.
2. IdentityForce – Best Dark Web Monitoring
IdentityForce is known for its expansive dark web surveillance that encompasses thousands of compromised data sources, hacker forums, and illicit underground sites. They were one of the first services to scan the dark web.
You‘ll be alerted if your personal information appears in their scans, along with credit bureau monitoring and access to your TransUnion credit report and VantageScore credit score.
Plans are affordably priced starting at $9.95 per month. You get $1 million in identity theft insurance coverage, bank account takeover alerts, and top-rated U.S.-based customer service. IdentityForce monitors more than just your SSN and credit data – they also watch court records, payday loan requests, change of address filings, and even compromised credentials.
What we like:
- Industry-leading dark web monitoring powered by IBM Watson
- Broad range of personal data monitored beyond just financial information
- Preventative features like compromised password alerts and sensitive data removal
- Affordably priced plans with $1 million insurance coverage
Get IdentityForce Today or read our full IdentityForce review.
3. LifeLock – Best for Families
LifeLock is a trusted brand in identity theft protection known for its family plans covering both adults and children. It offers expansive monitoring of not just the dark web but also court records, payday loan applications, change of address filings, and more.
You‘ll be alerted to any threats detected and get access to your annual Equifax and monthly TransUnion credit reports. LifeLock‘s higher tier plans provide daily credit monitoring as well.
LifeLock‘s most affordable plans start at $8.99 per month for individuals or $17.99 per month for families. Monitoring is provided for children under 18. All plans include $1 million insurance for expenses like lawyers fees or lost wages if you do become an identity theft victim.
What we like:
- Comprehensive monitoring and alerts for entire family including kids
- Daily credit bureau surveillance on higher tier plans
- Extensive identity restoration services if your data is compromised
- Million dollar protection including coverage for lost wages and legal costs
Get LifeLock or read our full review of LifeLock.
4. Identity Guard – Best Value
Identity Guard provides robust dark web monitoring along with credit bureau alerts at a very affordable starting price of $6.67 per month. Their Essentials plan monitors your name, SSN, birth date, email addresses, medical ID numbers, and more.
You‘ll be alerted to any threats identified by Identity Guard‘s AI detection engine. Ongoing credit monitoring is provided by TransUnion, along with access to your credit report and VantageScore credit score.
We like Identity Guard for offering such extensive monitoring and features for budget-minded consumers. You still get help from U.S.-based identity restoration experts if your identity is stolen.
What we like:
- Low pricing starting at $6.67 per month
- AI-driven monitoring including anonymous web browsing alerts
- Credit bureau alerts and monthly credit report access
- U.S.-based customer service and identity recovery help
Get Identity Guard Today or read our full review of Identity Guard.
5. IdentityIQ – Best for Credit Monitoring
IdentityIQ sets itself apart with its exceptional three-bureau credit monitoring. Comprehensive dark web scans by IBM Watson are coupled with real-time credit alerts across TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.
You‘ll be notified of any changes to your credit profile like new accounts or loan inquiries. Suspicious activity triggers automated alerts. Ongoing access to your credit reports and scores are provided.
IdentityIQ‘s mid-tier plan is affordably priced at $9.99 per month. All plans come with identity recovery services and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. For credit-focused consumers, IdentityIQ is a great choice.
What we like:
- Three-bureau monitoring including Experian, TransUnion, Equifax
- Real-time credit alerts for fast notification
- Dark web surveillance and public records monitoring
- Million dollar identity theft insurance
Get IdentityIQ or read our full review of IdentityIQ.
Features Comparison of the Top 5 Identity Theft Protection Services
| Dark Web Monitoring | Credit Bureau Alerts | Credit Reports | Insurance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aura | Advanced AI Scans | Equifax, Experian, TransUnion | Monthly | Up to $1 million |
| IdentityForce | Broadest Coverage | TransUnion | Monthly | Up to $1 million |
| LifeLock | Comprehensive Alerts | Equifax, TransUnion | Annual Equifax + Monthly TransUnion | Up to $1 million |
| Identity Guard | AI Detection | TransUnion | Monthly | Up to $1 million |
| IdentityIQ | Watson AI Monitoring | Equifax, TransUnion, Experian | Monthly | Up to $1 million |
Expert Tips for Protection Beyond Dark Web Monitoring
While dark web monitoring services provide essential alerts, there are other important steps you should take to fully protect yourself from identity theft:
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Use unique complex passwords. Don‘t reuse passwords across accounts. Use a password manager to keep track of unique passwords. Enable two-factor authentication when available.
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Freeze your credit reports. Stop thieves from opening new credit in your name by freezing access to your Equifax, TransUnion and Experian credit reports. Freezing is free and easy to temporarily lift when needed.
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Monitor financial accounts. Routinely check your financial accounts and statements for any unauthorized activity. Set up text or email alerts on credit cards and bank accounts for real-time notifications.
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Beware of phishing. Never click suspicious links or provide sensitive data in response to unsolicited emails, texts or calls. Hover over links to verify legitimacy.
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Shred documents. Invest in a quality crosscut shredder to destroy any paperwork containing personal identifying information rather than just tossing it out.
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Review your credit reports. Check your credit reports from each bureau annually for errors or accounts you don‘t recognize. Monitoring services provide reports.
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Manage marketing opt-outs. Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers and marketing lists to minimize your exposure. Sites like OptOutPreScreen.com facilitate this.
Is Dark Web Monitoring Worth It?
Dark web monitoring services have clear benefits, but also limitations:
Pros of dark web monitoring:
- Searching the dark web for personal information can provide early alerts to potential identity theft
- Monitoring compromised data sources beyond the dark web provides additional visibility
- Alerts allow consumers to take quick action in response to a data breach
- Services offer identity recovery assistance if your data ends up in the wrong hands
Cons of dark web monitoring:
- Dark web scans are not real-time – data may have already been abused by the time detected
- Very large data breaches can inundate monitoring systems
- Restoring a stolen identity can be difficult and time-consuming
- Having data appear may indicate larger vulnerabilities still exist
Cybersecurity experts recommend dark web monitoring as part of a layered approach to identity protection. Ongoing vigilance in safeguarding your data is still imperative beyond just a monitoring service.
But dark web scans remain an important piece of the puzzle. Early notification allows consumers to take proactive steps if their information appears in the digital underground.
While not a flawless solution, it provides vital visibility into data compromised on the hidden recesses of the internet.
The Bottom Line
Having your identity stolen can have devastating long-term consequences. Medical identity theft alone costs the average victim $13,500 to restore according to Experian.
Investing in dark web monitoring and identity theft protection helps mitigate risks in an age of large-scale data exposures. While no one service can provide complete protection, the top providers like Aura, IdentityForce, LifeLock, Identity Guard, and IdentityIQ offer robust features for threat detection and response.
Look for comprehensive monitoring of personal information, real-time alerts, credit bureau surveillance, identity insurance, and restoration services from an identity theft protection provider.
And remember other common sense precautions – strong passwords, credit freezes, shredding documents – are still critically important even when using a monitoring service.
Protect your identity and finances with a robust plan including the foundations of dark web scanning. Don‘t overlook this crucial first line of defense against identity crime and fraud.
