Dive Deeper
Understanding the Importance of Monitoring Dark Web
This inside information provides organizations with early detection of credential theft and other data leakage; contextual analysis of cyberattacks; and actionable alerts. With access to your personal information, scammers can do a lot of damage — quickly. And with data breaches, cyber attacks, credit card fraud, and other scams all on the rise, you need to be proactive to stay safe online. In many cases these companies are looking for something beyond leaked credentials or corporate data.
Although often the result of data breaches targeting organisations, hackers can also target you individually via phishing attacks or through exploiting unsecured public Wi-Fi. After you become involved in a data breach, hackers can try to sell your information to scammers, fraudsters, and other cybercrooks on the dark web. Dark Web Monitoring automatically scans the murkiest corners of the internet for data leaks. Whenever your personal information is detected, you receive notifications to help you secure your accounts, update your passwords, and protect your identity — before it’s too late. Because a dark web monitoring service keeps track of the dark web 24/7, it immediately notifies a company of potential threats. A dark web monitoring service identifies emerging threats and protects you from targeted attacks, such as fake hacking.
In addition to dark web surveillance, there are other ways that identity monitoring can help protect against identity theft. Paulo is the Director of Technology at the rapidly growing media tech company BWZ. Prior to that, he worked as a Software Engineering Manager and then Head Of Technology at Navegg, Latin America’s largest data marketplace, and as Full Stack Engineer at MapLink, which provides geolocation APIs as a service. Paulo draws insight from years of experience serving as an infrastructure architect, team leader, and product developer in rapidly scaling web environments. He’s driven to share his expertise with other technology leaders to help them build great teams, improve performance, optimize resources, and create foundations for scalability. Below is a list of additional dark web monitoring tools that I shortlisted, but did not make it to the top 12.
Plus, you’ll enjoy up to $1M insurance coverage with stolen funds reimbursement. The dark web monitoring services offered by Concensus Technologies monitor for several types of company information. This includes looking for the mention of the company’s name, specific IP addresses, domains, email addresses, privileged credentials, and more. Bolster’s Darkweb Monitoring solutions and other defensive strategies will ensure that your company has accurate dark web monitoring. Bolster balances domain acquisition with monitoring to reduce the likelihood of cyberattacks and manage security costs. Integrating Dark Web Monitoring with Existing Security Infrastructure requires a careful approach to ensure compatibility with other security solutions in use by the organization.
- Dark web sites include online marketplaces for buying and selling illicit goods, and that includes personal information that can be used for identity theft, among other things.
- The Recorded Future Intelligence Platform is a comprehensive threat intelligence solution that utilizes machine learning and natural language processing to analyze data from the dark web.
- The main focus of Dark Web monitoring is, however, set on the misappropriated data available there for fun and for profit.
Phishing websites and pages represent even a higher risk trying to infect your employees or clients with sophisticated malware or ransomware, steal their credentials or get access to your business secrets. 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. Using these tools, it is possible to find leaked data such as stolen login credentials, intellectual property, and other forms of sensitive data that are being shared or sold by cybercriminals. Dark Web Monitoring is an invaluable tool to assist organizations in detecting stolen data and protecting their brand reputation. Data breaches and leaks often happen when cybercriminals gain access to a company’s servers or databases, and the stolen information is posted online for sale by identity thieves or on forums and marketplaces.
If you know your email account is exposed, first scan your computer for malware, change the email password, and then sign up for IDStrong’s identity monitoring to check for other exposures online. Cyberattackers are becoming more advanced and better adept at covering their tracks. As such, businesses can’t afford to limit their scanning for compromised credentials to the surface internet.
Rather, the focus is on doing whatever is necessary to restore your service to a secure normal state. Any content you can find on the internet using a search engine is part of the Surface Web — think Wikipedia entries, company websites and e-commerce sites. Anything that isn’t part of this indexed content, such as password-protected pages, content behind paywalls and company intranets, comprises the Deep Web, which makes up approximately 90 percent of the internet. The term is often used interchangeably with Dark Web, but this is inaccurate; sites in the Dark are those that aren’t visible via search engine and can’t be found using a regular browser. Get alerted when users or applications on your network attempt to access them or the Dark Web and respond immediately. Get your free dark web scan today and start protecting your organization from cybercriminals.
The dark web represents a segment of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It is often associated with illicit activities, making it crucial for businesses and individuals to engage in effective monitoring dark web strategies.
Why is Monitoring Dark Web Essential?
As the digital landscape evolves, threats associated with the dark web continue to grow. Here are several reasons why monitoring dark web content is essential:
- Data Breaches: Personal and corporate information is frequently traded on the dark web. Monitoring can help identify if sensitive data has been compromised.
- Reputation Management: Businesses can assess and manage their online reputation by tracking mentions or leaks on the dark web.
- Fraud Prevention: Individuals can protect themselves from identity theft or financial fraud by being aware of their personal information appearing in illicit marketplaces.
- Threat Intelligence: Organizations can gain insights into potential threats, enabling them to bolster their cybersecurity measures.
How to Effectively Monitor Dark Web Content?
Implementing a thorough monitoring dark web strategy is essential for success. Below are key steps organizations should consider:
- Use Specialized Tools: Invest in dark web monitoring software that scans various platforms and forums for potential threats.
- Set Up Alerts: Configure alerts for certain keywords related to your brand, employees, or sensitive data to receive immediate updates.
- Analyze Findings: Regularly review and analyze collected data to understand potential threats and vulnerabilities.
- Engage Cybersecurity Experts: Collaborating with experts in the field can provide advanced insight and strategies for monitoring dark web effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions about Monitoring Dark Web
Q1: What kind of information can be found on the dark web?
A1: The dark web can harbor a variety of information, including personal data, credit card details, login credentials, illicit drugs, weapons, and hacking services.
Q2: Is it legal to monitor dark web content?
A2: Generally, monitoring dark web content is legal as long as you are not engaging in illegal activities while browsing or accessing this information.
Q3: How often should I perform dark web monitoring?
A3: Continuous monitoring is recommended, as the dark web can change rapidly with new data breaches or leaked information arising frequently.
Q4: Can individuals monitor the dark web themselves?
A4: While individuals can access parts of the dark web using specific browsers, using professional monitoring tools is generally more effective for tracking personal data leaks.
Conclusion
Monitoring dark web activities is an essential aspect of maintaining security in today’s interconnected world. By understanding the threats that lurk within, organizations and individuals can take proactive measures to protect their sensitive information and assets. Whether through specialized tools, regular analysis, or expert consultations, effective dark web monitoring can mitigate risks and enhance cybersecurity strategies.
