Malwarebytes has launched a new Digital Footprint Portal that allows users to easily determine where and when their data was compromised, the types of data exposed, and specific personal data available for sale on the dark web. The portal also offers actionable recommendations to mitigate the risks of identity theft, financial harm, and reputation damage. According to Marcin Kleczynski, Founder and CEO of Malwarebytes, the company believes in providing everyone with a secure digital life, regardless of their budget. Their free malware removal tool and ad blocker, Browser Guard, have been instrumental in this mission.
The Digital Footprint Portal scans various sources, such as the dark web, chat rooms, social media, and underground forums, to identify any exposed data related to an individual’s email address or associated accounts. After the scan, users receive a personalized report with recommendations for protection. Oren Arar, Vice President, Consumer Privacy at Malwarebytes, emphasized the company’s mission to ensure individuals’ private details remain private and their identity their own. During preview trials, the portal found that a significant number of users had their plain-text passwords, full names, dates of birth, phone numbers, and email addresses exposed.
Notably, following the AT&T data breach, the percentage of users with exposed social security numbers increased substantially. The portal reveals exact passwords and personal information previously exposed, including general information, sensitive personal information, online digital identifiers, and financial details. Users can also check for botnet infections on their devices. Malwarebytes constantly updates its sources with millions of exposed records daily.
Highly sensitive information such as credit cards and social security numbers is never fully revealed, and the data does not persist on Malwarebytes’ infrastructure. The company emphasizes that the data is encrypted in transit and is not tied to a specific user. Malwarebytes, with decades of experience in eradicating malware, is trusted by millions to stop threats, secure digital identities, and safeguard data and privacy. The company is headquartered in California and has offices in Europe and Asia.