Monitored Information

• Email addresses (up to 5).
• Phone numbers (up to 5)
• Credit card numbers (up to 10)
• Gamer tags (up to 10)
• Insurance accounts or Identification numbers (up to 5)
• Addresses (up to 5)
• Bank or investment account numbers (up to 10)
• Driver's license number
• Mother's maiden name
• Passport (up to 4)

Generally, when your information is exposed online, you should do the following:

• Change the password associated with the affected website or any other site where you've used the same password. If you don't remember your password, perform a password reset on the site.
• Complete your profile by visiting the Avast Secure Identity dashboard, allowing us to monitor more of your information.

For specific advice on protecting your details, follow the steps below based on the notification received from Dark Web Monitoring part of your Avast Secure Identity plan.

Username

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Username, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• If possible, change your username. Keep in mind that the same username may have been exposed multiple times in the past.
• Consider changing the passwords on all accounts associated with that Username.

Password

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Password, follow the steps below to help protect yourself

• Change your password.
• If you use this password for other websites or apps, change it for those services too.
• Set up two-factor authentication whenever available.

Email

Emails can be used by criminals for phishing schemes to try to get your information.

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Email, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• If you use the reported email as a login/username, consider changing it for better protection.
• We recommend that you never give any personal or sensitive information over email.

Password User Combo

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your password exposed in a combo list, a collection of email addresses and passwords from breached websites, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Change your password.
• If you use this password for other websites or apps, change it for those services too.
• Use a password manager to generate unique passwords for websites.
• Set up two-factor authentication whenever available with a website.

For more information on password combo, read Learn more about Password Combo list notifications from Avast.

Date of Birth

Your Date of Birth along with other personal information can be used by identity thieves to hack into accounts and commit fraudulent activities.

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Date of Birth, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Review your financial statements and watch for any transactions you do not recognize.
• Take your mail out of the mailbox as soon as possible. If you plan to be away from home, consider scheduling a mail hold.
• Shred all documents containing personal information, such as credit card statements, bank statements, receipts, and medical records.
• Whenever possible and practical, choose paperless delivery options.
• Consider setting up a locked mailbox to decrease the risk of stolen mail.

Mother's Maiden Name

Your Mother's Maiden Name along with other personal information can be used by identity thieves to hack into accounts and commit fraudulent activities.

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Mother's Maiden Name, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Review your financial statements and watch for any transactions you do not recognize.
• Take your mail out of the mailbox as soon as possible. If you plan to be away from home, consider scheduling a mail hold.
• Shred all documents containing personal information, such as credit card statements, bank statements, receipts, and medical records.
• Whenever possible and practical, choose paperless delivery options.
• Consider setting up a locked mailbox to decrease the risk of stolen mail.

Driver's Licence

Your Driver's Licence Number along with other personal information can be used by identity thieves to commit fraudulent activities.

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Driver's Licence, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Review your financial statements and watch for any transactions you do not recognize.
• Take your mail out of the mailbox as soon as possible. If you plan to be away from home, consider scheduling a mail hold.
• Shred all documents containing personal information, such as credit card statements, bank statements, receipts, and medical records.
• Whenever possible and practical, choose paperless delivery options.
• Consider setting up a locked mailbox to decrease the risk of stolen mail.

Bank Account

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Bank Account, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Review your bank statements for accuracy.
• Never disclose a debit or credit card PIN (personal identification number) in email or over the phone.
• Be cautious of strangers who request personal information through email or phone calls. Be cautious of unknown email attachments and "free" software.
• Consider the potential risks before downloading apps, clicking links, or responding to suspicious emails. Make sure to keep your laptop or mobile device's operating system and internet browser up to date.
• Do not store passwords or other sensitive information on your smartphone.
• Stay vigilant while banking online and be mindful of "shoulder surfers," individuals who are nearby and may observe your sensitive information without your awareness.

Passport Number

Your Passport Number along with other personal information can be used by identity thieves to commit fraudulent activities.

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Passport, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Contact your local passport office to file a complaint.
• Apply for a replacement passport.

Name

Your Name along with other personal information can be used by identity thieves to hack into accounts and commit fraudulent activities.

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Name, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Review your financial statements and watch for any transactions you do not recognize.
• Take your mail out of the mailbox as soon as possible. If you plan to be away from home, consider scheduling a mail hold.
• Shred all documents containing personal information, such as credit card statements, bank statements, receipts, and medical records.
• Whenever possible and practical, choose paperless delivery options.
• Consider setting up a locked mailbox to decrease the risk of stolen mail.

Address

Your Address along with other personal information can be used by identity thieves to hack into accounts and commit fraudulent activities.

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your address, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Review your financial statements and watch for any transactions you do not recognize.
• Take your mail out of the mailbox as soon as possible. If you plan to be away from home, consider scheduling a mail hold.
• Shred all documents containing personal information, such as credit card statements, bank statements, receipts, and medical records.
• Whenever possible and practical, choose paperless delivery options.
• Consider setting up a locked mailbox to decrease the risk of stolen mail.

Phone Number

Phone numbers can be used for phishing schemes that criminals use to try to get your information to commit fraudulent activities.

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Phone Number, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Never give any personal or bank information over the phone unless you are certain of the caller's identity.
• If you begin receiving suspicious calls, contact your phone provider to check if you can block those numbers.
• Register your phone number on the national Do Not Call Registry.

Insurance Information

Identity thieves can exploit your insurance information to submit false claims, which may include medical, car, life, home, or pet insurance.

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your insurance information, including but not limited to policy numbers, medical information, or insurance providers, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

Other Tips

• Carefully review any insurance bills and claims.
• Be on the lookout for:
  • Medical or other insurance collection notices on your credit report that you do not recognize.
  • A notice from your health plan saying you reached your benefit limit.
  • A denial of insurance because of past claims or medical records for a condition you do not have.
  • Take your mail out of the mailbox as soon as possible. If you plan to be away from home, consider scheduling a mail hold.
  • Shred all documents containing personal information, such as credit card statements, bank statements, receipts, and medical records.
  • Whenever possible and practical, choose paperless delivery options.
  • Consider setting up a locked mailbox to decrease the risk of stolen mail.

Gamer Tag

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Gamer tag, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Change your password on all gaming platforms where you use your gamer tag.
• Enable two-factor authentication on gaming platforms.
• Change the email password associated with your Gamer tag.
• Use a unique password and Gamer tag for each gaming platform.

Credit Card

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Credit Card, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Contact your credit or debit card company for a replacement card and closely monitor your activity.
• Report any suspicious activity to your financial institution immediately.

CVV or CCV

If Dark Web Monitoring notifies you about your Credit Card CVV or CCV, follow the steps below to help protect yourself:

• Contact your credit or debit card company for a replacement card and closely monitor your activity.
• Report any suspicious activity to your financial institution immediately.

Dark Web Monitoring defaults to monitor your email address and begins immediately. Sign in to your account to enter more information for monitoring.

Further Recommendations

• Received a notification that my information was found on the Dark Web
• Update Personal and Financial Information with Avast
• Avast Secure Identity Dark Web Monitoring FAQ