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The internet is vast, and it consists of various layers. One such layer that often raises concerns is the dark web. Unlike the surface web that we commonly access, the dark web is intentionally hidden and inaccessible through regular search engines. It operates on anonymous networks, making it an attractive hub for illegal activities.
Understanding the Dark Web
Before delving into the importance of monitoring the dark web, it’s crucial to understand what it entails. The dark web refers to a collection of websites that are encrypted and require specific software, such as Tor, to access. These websites can only be viewed by individuals who actively seek them out, contributing to their secretive nature.
Endpoint Monitoring Explained
The Dangers Lurking Within
While not all activities on the dark web are illicit, it has gained notoriety for being a breeding ground for criminal operations. Various illegal goods and services, including drugs, weapons, stolen data, hacking tools, counterfeit documents, and more, can be found within its digital confines. Moreover, it serves as an underground marketplace where cybercriminals trade sensitive information, enabling identity theft and other nefarious activities.
Monitoring the Dark Web
The Challenges to Dark Web Monitoring in 2023
Dark web monitoring has traditionally been seen as a function of a threat intelligence program. Unfortunately, aside from a few large organizations, most companies don’t have the resources or personnel to make use of a full-fledged threat intelligence operation. Instead, it can be used by companies to find out whether criminal actors have compromised employee accounts, as part of account takeover schemes, or discover if your organization’s financial information is for sale. Dark web monitoring tools work in a similar way to a normal search engine but are custom-built to scour the deepest parts of the dark web.
Given the risks associated with the dark web, it becomes imperative for individuals, businesses, and law enforcement agencies to monitor its activities closely. By doing so, they can stay one step ahead of potential threats and protect themselves from becoming victims of cybercrime.
Dark Web Monitoring Annual Subscription
The SpyCloud business package combines Dark Web scanning with internal scans for weaknesses plus constant traffic address checks. This is a strong combination and involves a great deal of automation so busy network administrators will be able to use this service without specific cybersecurity skills. Effectively, this is a managed security service and it is a very high quality package.
Early Detection and Prevention
Dark web monitoring is a cybersecurity service that involves scanning the dark web for your sensitive information and PII. It’s a central element in identity theft protection, in that it allows you to proactively respond to leaked data before damage is done. Dark web monitoring works by scanning many thousands of websites every day for evidence of your information — if this is found, you’ll be alerted. Examples of the kinds of websites that the scanner will search include marketplaces, forums, and chat rooms. Trend Micro’s ID Security, which currently offers a one-month free trial, offers precisely this service.
Monitoring the dark web allows for early detection of compromised information. If your personal or business data is found on the dark web, it could indicate that your security has been breached. Identifying this early on enables you to take swift action, such as changing passwords, enhancing security measures, or notifying authorities if required.
Proactive Steps
If you are currently using a non-supported browser your experience may not be optimal, you may experience rendering issues, and you may be exposed to potential security risks. Internet criminals buy and sell personal data on the Dark Web to commit fraud. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated with their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) helping them evade some antivirus and anti-malware software. Indigo Books was one of the latest high-profile companies to be a victim of such an incident. Much of the sensitive information and credentials that are stolen by cybercriminals are sold to third parties, often on the dark web.
The dark web is ever-evolving, with new threats emerging constantly. By actively monitoring it, individuals and organizations can proactively identify potential risks and adjust their cybersecurity strategies accordingly. This vigilance helps in improving overall protection against cyber threats.
Thwarting Criminal Activities
Financial Information
Monitoring the dark web allows law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence on criminal activities taking place online. This insight can aid them in identifying and apprehending individuals involved in illegal operations, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, and more. By staying informed about the dark web’s hidden activities, authorities can better protect society and uphold the law.
- Only SpyCloud recaptures data from breaches, malware-infected devices, and other underground sources with the speed and scale necessary for cybercrime prevention.
- Dark web monitoring can be intimidating for organizations – to see if your data is exposed on criminal sites and to find and remediate it – but it doesn’t have to be.
- Instead, it can be used by companies to find out whether criminal actors have compromised employee accounts, as part of account takeover schemes, or discover if your organization’s financial information is for sale.
- Dark Web monitoring uses automated tools to assist in the discovery of leaked or stolen company information, such as compromised passwords and other sensitive data.
In Conclusion
While the dark web may seem like an enigmatic and distant realm, its impact on our digital lives cannot be ignored. Monitoring the dark web is not only crucial for individual safety and business security but also plays a vital role in combating cybercrime. By actively keeping an eye on this hidden part of the internet, we can enhance our defenses, detect vulnerabilities early on, and take necessary precautions to stay protected in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
