Enhance online security: Google introduces Dark Web report tool for its Indian subscribers

Google, the prominent American technology giant, has unveiled the Dark Web report functionality for its Google One subscribers in India. This innovative feature is specifically designed to empower users to oversee their personal information within the realm of the Dark Web, a notorious space known for its use by hackers and malicious actors engaging in illegal activities such as trading sensitive personal data.

According to Google, the Dark Web report, aims to tackle the potential exploitation of an individual's personal details, including name, date of birth, contact number, email, and other crucial particulars. These pieces of information are often targeted for criminal purposes such as identity theft and financial fraud.

This new feature will enable Google One subscribers to receive alerts if their personal information surfaces on the dark web. This way, users can promptly take necessary actions and enhance their vigilance to guard against fraudulent activities.

How it operates

Upon activating the Dark Web report option, users establish a monitoring profile, specifying the information they wish to track. If any relevant data emerges on the Dark Web, the tool promptly notifies the affected user and provides guidance on safeguarding the compromised data.

While regular Google users can perform a single Dark Web check for a specific email address, they won't benefit from ongoing monitoring or notifications of new search results.

Benefits for Google One members

Google One members can harness the Dark Web report to inspect whether their name, birth date, and up to ten email addresses and phone numbers are circulating on the dark web. Furthermore, they have the option to activate real-time dark web monitoring, ensuring they receive continuous updates about new findings, coupled with recommended actions and assistance.

To access this feature, follow these steps

Visit the Google One website on your device

Locate the Dark Web report section and click on 'Set Up’

Customise the details you wish to monitor

Follow the on-screen instructions to create your monitoring profile

Click 'Done' to begin the scan and identify whether any of your information is present on the Dark Web.

With the introduction of this feature, Google One subscribers in India gain a powerful tool to proactively defend their personal information in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.