Google Launches One Dark Web Report to Help Protect Your Online Identity

Google is introducing a new feature called Dark Web Report for its Google One subscribers in India, aiming to safeguard users from cyber threats such as identity theft and fraud. This development comes as no surprise to online service users who are aware of the constant presence of cyber threats, which can lead to data and financial loss. Indian users should be eager about this feature, as it offers enhanced protection against such risks.

First, understand the Dark Web Report.

The dark web is a hidden part of the Internet where many people engage in illegal activities, such as selling stolen personal information. This information may include your name, date of birth, phone number and email address. Bad actors often use this information for identity theft and financial fraud, for example. This is where Google’s Dark Web report comes into play.

How does it work

When you enable the Dark Web report, you create a special profile where you can choose what information you want to keep an eye on. If this information ever appears on the Dark Web, Google will warn you. In this way, you can protect yourself from all fraudulent activities.

Regular Google users can also use this feature to check if their email address has been compromised on the dark web, but they won’t get constant monitoring like Google One members.

What Google One members get

If you’re a Google One member, you can use the Dark Web report to check if your name, date of birth, and up to ten email addresses and phone numbers are there. You can even set it up to receive real-time updates and advice on how to handle new discoveries.

Here’s how to set up a Dark Web report:

1. Go to the Google One website on your device.

2. Find the Dark Web Report section and click Configure.

3. Select the information you want to track (you can also add your home address if you want).

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a monitoring profile.

5. Click “Done” to start scanning and check if your data is on the dark web.

Why this matters in India

With online identity fraud cases on the rise in India, Google’s Dark Web report can be a significant step in protecting your personal information from misuse. It was first introduced in the US along with a free VPN service, and now Indian users can benefit from this added level of security.

Simply put, Google’s Dark Web Report is like a digital shield that helps you keep your online identity safe from the bad guys on the Internet.