BT dark web monitoring

queline

Apologies if there’s a thread elsewhere on this.

I’m with BT and they’ve updated their virus protection through Norton. I’ve received invitations to sign up for their dark web monitoring which is asking for all sorts of personal information. I started it but now I’m worried because I’m not sure how secure it all is, and it would be a scammers dream if they got hold of it all. How do I know what they do with all the info?
Can someone in the know advise please?
I’m a pensioner but fairly knowledgeable on scams, and technology, please don’t be hard on me if I’m being stupid.

LightFlare

If you are running Windows then there is no need for Norton (or similar)

Windows Defender does a perfectly good job nowadays

queline

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82023922#Comment_82023922

Thanks for that, I am running windows on my desktop PC. What about on an iPad or iPhone?

flaneurs_lobster

I've not been able to activate this extra on my BT account (whole other saga) but I've used this service in the past, personally I have no problem using services supplied by Norton.

You should only enter that data that you are happy about "sharing", this service is doing a search of the murkier bits of the web and obviously needs to know what data look for. It doesn't scan your device(s) for your personal stuff - you have to proactively enter what you want to (not) find.

So typically your name + DoB, your email address(es), phone number(s), address(es).

You can also scan for your NI No, bank account(s)/sort code(s) and pretty much anything else.

It's not an "everything must be entered or else…", you might just want to search for, say, your email address.

Don't be overly surprised if you get "hits" coming back, doesn't mean that you are about to be hacked or your accounts emptied - the Internet is very big and it's been around for decades, anyone who has been online for some time will have left data behind.

It's meant to be a kick up the backside to persuade people to secure their accounts (particularly email, bank, mobile) with strong unique passwords AND 2FA or passkeys.

As ever, the main threat to your money comes from online and phone scams - best to assume that the bad people already have most of your details and act appropriately to any unsolicited communications.

And believe nothing that's on social media.

queline

Thank you so much for the replies - food for thought.
I’ve given up all social media, but do use WhatsApp and of course scams can come via text messages and calls etc.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82023961#Comment_82023961

Think you're pretty clued up on this stuff and you make the point - scammers are likely to use this "dark web" information not in direct hacks against institutions (these are pretty much unheard of) but far more likely to use personal data to make approaches to you more believable so that YOU unlock the accounts for them.

Vitor

Bin Norton, it's more of a problem than a solution.

Use Have I Been Pwned: Check if your email address has been exposed in a data breach is a good enough way to find where your email has been found.

Ensure you have set the optimal controls on WhatsApp - Account security tips | WhatsApp Help Center

Frozen_up_north

I wouldn’t give BT any personal information. The less places your data is stored the better.

Their storage might be reasonably secure from outside hacks, but not necessarily secure against a rogue insider.

You don’t need that amount of data to check “dark web” info, as mentioned further up the thread. You might also use the free app “My Equifax” to keep an eye on whether anyone is trying to take out a loan, etc. using your details.

Your iPhone and iPad don’t need any additional AV software

poseidon1

Just for a bit of balance and insight, I have Norton 360 on laptop, tablet and mobile phone ( cost £10.50 from Amazon so very cheap).

Laptop might be used 3 or 4 times a year, so Norton primarily protecting phone and tablet.

The dark Web monitoring did reveal recently that my email and password used for a Last fm account set up years ago had been compromised so that alert did prompt shutting down that account and changing the same password I had used for a couple of other accounts at that same time.

I have not given my DOB as a further data point check, but happy enough with the level of protection Norton provide on my mobile devices, especially the phone which no longer gets Samsung security support.

As for the laptop I am running Windows 10, so Microsoft security updates will disappear in October.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82024293#Comment_82024293

TBH, if I was having to pay for this Norton product I'd agree with you - but it's a freebie with BT broadband.

There's also the offer of their anti-virus and password manager products for free too, both declined.

Vitor

Norton bloatware hammers the performance of the device