Proton Mail, a leading secure email provider, yesterday launched a new feature aimed at enhancing its security capabilities against the growing threat of data breaches. The new Dark Web Monitoring tool is designed to identify and alert users as soon as their credentials appear in a breach, allowing them to take swift action before cybercriminals can exploit the information.

The rise in data leaks has become a significant concern, with billions of people’s credentials exposed on the dark web. This information often remains on the web for extended periods, making it easier for cybercriminals to exploit it for various malicious activities, such as identity theft and credential stuffing attacks.

Proton Mail, already known for its end-to-end encryption, has taken a step further by combining its encryption technology with dark web monitoring protections. The new feature is now available on its web and desktop apps but is exclusive to paid subscribers.

Eammon Maguire, the Head of Anti-Abuse & Account Security at Proton, emphasized the importance of dark web monitoring, stating that even the strongest end-to-end encryption cannot protect against the vast amount of leaked information found on the dark web. He pointed out that the “Mother of all data breaches” in January 2024 exposed a 12TB database containing over 26 billion records, highlighting the severity of the issue.

According to Surfshark‘s analysis, an average of 3,353 accounts were breached every minute in the first quarter of 2024, a significant increase from the end of 2023’s average of 627 breaches per minute. The owners of these leaked data are often unaware, while cybercriminals are actively trading their sensitive details to launch identity fraud and other attacks.

Proton Mail’s Dark Web Monitoring tool regularly scans the dark web for email addresses, passwords, and other personal details linked to users’ accounts. If a breach is detected, Proton will alert the user with comprehensive information about the breach and suggest steps to safeguard their digital identity and mitigate potential risks.

The provider’s dark web detection tool relies on its threat intelligence datasets and data from Constella Intelligence, a leading firm in digital threat management. Proton maintains user privacy by not sharing data with third parties. Instead, the team analyzes reports from third parties when they find leaked information tied to a Proton Mail email address or a Proton Pass/SimpleLogin alias.

Dark Web Monitoring is currently available for paid subscribers on the web and desktop apps, displaying all known breaches that have affected users’ accounts over the last two years. Higher-risk breaches are marked in red, while those with fewer compromised details are marked in orange. Maguire also announced that notifications will soon be sent to Android and iPhone devices, allowing users to take quicker action.

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Proton Mail’s new Dark Web Monitoring tool offers users an additional layer of security by alerting them to potential breaches and providing steps to protect their digital identity. While data breaches may be unavoidable, features like Dark Web Monitoring and Proton’s other security measures enable users to mitigate risks and maintain control over their digital identities.