In today’s digital world, data breaches are no longer rare events—they are a near-constant threat. From social media platforms to healthcare providers to internet service providers, major organizations have seen their systems compromised, often resulting in personally identifiable information (PII), being leaked onto the dark web. Understandably, this has created a new wave of anxiety for individuals—many of whom have no idea their data has been exposed until it’s too late.
But while the fear is real, and in many ways justified, it’s important to know where your control begins and ends. In this article we’ll discuss what you can and cannot do when it comes to dealing with PII leaks on the dark web—and how to manage the anxiety that comes with them.
Why Data Breaches Cause Anxiety
PII includes names, addresses, Social Security numbers, birthdates, login credentials, and financial account numbers—data that, in the wrong hands, can be used to commit identity theft, financial fraud, and more. The dark web, a hidden part of the internet accessible through anonymizing tools like Tor, acts as a marketplace where this stolen data is bought and sold.
For victims, the emotional fallout can be intense:
- Loss of control over who sees and uses your information.
- Fear of future harm, like fraudulent loans, damaged credit or being scammed.
- Lack of visibility into how deep the breach goes.
- Confusion over what steps to take and whether any actions will even help.