What is the dark web?
Most internet users are familiar with search engines like Google, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo. These tools help us find websites and information online. However, a hidden part of the internet, known as the dark web, exists beyond the reach of standard search engines.
The dark web isn't accessible through typical browsers. Instead, it requires specialized tools and software that uses encryption to mask users' locations and identities. This anonymity allows access to websites, forums, and marketplaces not visible on the regular internet. It's important to understand that while the dark web offers anonymity, it also carries potential risks.
What type of personal data is traded on the dark web?
Any information you've shared online could potentially be exposed in a data breach and end up on the dark web.This information can then be bought and sold by criminals for various malicious purposes.The problem is significant and growing, with identity-related losses increasing substantially in recent years. Here are some examples of personal data that can be traded on the dark web:
- Financial information
- Contact Information
- Login credentials
- Identification documents
How Zoho Vault protects you from dark web threats
Zoho Vault is integrated with Have I Been Pwned (HIBP), a robust service that tracks and catalogs data breaches. If your information appears in the HIBP database, Zoho Vault will notify you right away. Upon receiving this alert, you can take immediate action by using Zoho Vault's built-in password and passphrase generator to create a secure new password. This ensures your account remains protected, making the old password ineffective against brute force or dictionary attacks. How this integration works
Zoho Vault ensures complete security when monitoring the dark web for breached passwords. When breached password detection is enabled, Vault hashes your passwords and sends only the first five characters of the hashed password to Have I Been Pwned (HIBP). HIBP then returns a list of breached password hashes that share the same initial five characters.
This verification process happens entirely on your device—typically within your browser—so your full password hash is never transmitted. This ensures that your passwords remain anonymous and fully protected throughout the process.How to turn on dark web monitoring
To enable dark web monitoring in Zoho Vault, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the Settings tab.
- Select Fine-Grained Controls.
- Locate View Breached Passwords and toggle it on.
- Once enabled, go to the Security Dashboard tab under Breached Passwords to view any compromised credentials.

Zoho Vault's dark web alerts notify you if a password you're using has been found in a data breach. You'll receive an alert when adding, editing, or viewing a password entry. We strongly recommend resetting any alerted passwords immediately.