If a person’s Gmail address ends up on the dark web, several risks and consequences might occur. Cybercriminals may target that account, which can lead to potential unauthorized access and compromise of sensitive information. Privacy concerns arise as personal data becomes available to malicious actors, which can increase the risk of identity theft and fraudulent activities.
If your Gmail address ends up on the dark web, you may also experience an influx of spam, phishing attempts, as well as scams targeting your email address. Additionally, your online reputation and trustworthiness could be harmed.
Google will allow you to check if your Gmail account has leaked to the dark web
Google is set to expand its dark web monitoring feature to all of those Gmail users who live in the U.S., providing a way for them to check if their email address has been compromised on the dark web or not, according to ZDNet.
Currently available only to those who are subscribed to Google One, the monitoring service will also become accessible to a wider audience. Users will receive guidance on protecting themselves if their account is detected on the dark web, including changing passwords as well as enabling two-factor authentication. With the increasing frequency of data breaches, dark web monitoring helps individuals remain informed about the security of their online accounts. Google’s expansion of this service aims to provide greater visibility and protection for Gmail users.
Google explained in a blog post:
Previously only available to Google One subscribers in the U.S., we’re expanding access to our dark web report in the next few weeks, so anyone with a Gmail account in the U.S. will be able to run scans to see if your Gmail address appears on the dark web and receive guidance on what actions to take to protect yourself. We’ll soon be expanding access to our dark web report to select international markets.
To mitigate any potential risks, it’s a good idea to enable two-factor authentication, stay vigilant against phishing attempts, regularly update your passwords, and even consider using identity monitoring services.