Malwarebytes launches free Digital Footprint Portal to protect personal data

Global cyber protection firm, Malwarebytes, has launched a novel Digital Footprint Portal with the aim of providing consumers with deep insights into their exposed personal information. This new tool is entirely free and seeks to protect a user's digital life spanning across identity, privacy, and security. With this portal, individuals can now pinpoint where and when a data breach exposed their personal data, the types of exposed data, and any specific personal data which may be up for sale on the dark web.

The Malwarebytes Digital Footprint Portal differentiates itself in the market by scanning a wider range of sources and providing a more detailed analysis compared to similar existing tools. This portal analyses a broad spread of sources including the dark web, underground forums, social media platforms, chat rooms, and databases, with the aim of identifying any exposed data linked to an individual's email address or related accounts. The company has reported some alarming statistics based on its research findings: 60% of users uncovered plain-text passwords which had been previously exposed, half of the users found their full name exposed, 41% had their date of birth exposed, 26% had their phone number exposed, and 9% found their email address linked to a botnet.

After the scan is completed, users receive a personalised report that summarises their exposed information, alongside recommendations for enhancing their protection. This novel portal is complemented by clear, actionable recommendations that help the user to mitigate the potential risks of identity theft, financial harm, or even damage to their reputation.

In line with Malwarebytes' belief that everyone deserves a secure digital life, independent of their budget, the company has built on their legacy of offering free resources that will empower digital users. This commitment is clearly expressed through statements from Marcic Kleczynski, Founder and CEO of Malwarebytes, who proudly announced the release of a new product that "educates and prepares people from the risk of compromised personal data leading to identity and financial theft".

Oren Arar, the Vice President of Consumer Privacy at Malwarebytes has reinforced this sentiment by declaring that their aim is "to ensure an individual's private details remain private and their identity their own". The company has already reported a strong response to their preview trials of the Digital Footprint Portal, "with more than a million individuals uncovering their exposed personal information and taking actions to future-proof their digital lives".

While more individuals have their identities and financial assets protected, this tool also helps to build a more comprehensive picture of digital identity exposure. Malwarebytes' Digital Footprint Portal is one of the most thorough free scanning solutions available to the consumer market today. The Portal also helps users identify if botnets have infected their computers by scanning their email and associated accounts. To combat the constant threat of data breaches and information leaks, Malwarebytes continually updates its sources with millions of exposed records every day.

Finally, the principles of privacy by default have been incorporated into the design of the Digital Footprint Portal with a number of built-in measures. Malwarebytes verifies users' email addresses before scanning sources or presenting any potentially sensitive data. Importantly, highly sensitive data, such as credit card or social security numbers, are never fully revealed. Responding to modern data protection expectations, the data is not stored within Malwarebytes' infrastructure, is not linked to a specific user, and is encrypted during transit from the database until it reaches the user's screen.