Protect Your Digital Identity with Dark Web Monitoring
The internet has opened up a vast realm of possibilities, but it has also spawned hidden corners where cybercriminals thrive. One such ominous realm is the Dark Web, a mysterious and secret part of the internet. In this blog post, we'll dive into the world of Dark Web monitoring, exploring what it is, how it works, its benefits, and why it's crucial for safeguarding your digital presence.
What is Dark Web Monitoring?
Dark web monitoring is a proactive cybersecurity practice that involves monitoring the dark web for any mentions or activities related to your organization, sensitive information, or employees. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines and requires special software to access.
The goal of dark web monitoring is to identify potential threats, such as stolen credentials, leaked data, or discussions about planned cyberattacks, before they can cause harm.
Importance of Measuring Response Time for Ongoing Improvement
The internet is a vast and intricate ecosystem, extending far beyond what meets the eye. This whitepaper compares the structure of the internet to an iceberg.
The surface-level Open Web, accessible through popular search engines, forms just the tip of the iceberg. Below that lies the vast Deep Web, comprising password-protected databases, private networks, and various hidden resources. Finally, at the murky depths, we encounter the Dark Web, a clandestine network accessible only through specialized software like Tor.
The Open Web, also known as the Surface Web, encompasses the publicly accessible content hosted on web servers. It consists of websites, web pages, and online resources that can be explored using standard web browsers like Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. Search engines index and catalog these pages, making them readily discoverable through keyword searches.
Beneath the Open Web lies the expansive Deep Web, which houses a vast amount of content beyond the reach of search engines. The Deep Web comprises various types of information that may be inaccessible through typical search queries. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, content may be proprietary or involve personally identifiable information (PII), requiring restricted access to protect privacy and security. Examples include email accounts, tax records, financial systems, and other sensitive data. Secondly, certain platforms and forums may require users to register or login to access specific content, creating barriers for search engines. Thirdly, content may be behind paywalls, such as scientific journals or media platforms that require subscriptions or one-time purchases for full access. Lastly, some site operators deliberately disable features that allow search engines to cache their URLs in search results, making them less discoverable to the wider public.
At the deepest depths of the internet lies the Dark Web. Unlike the Open and Deep Webs, the Dark Web can only be accessed through specialized encryption software and browser protocols. It is a realm shrouded in anonymity, where individuals can explore hidden corners, often beyond the purview of traditional internet browsers. To access the Dark Web, users utilize a service called TOR, which stands for The Onion Router. TOR channels internet traffic through a network of volunteer-operated servers, encrypting and re-routing data multiple times to obscure the user's identity and location. This layered encryption resembles the layers of an onion, hence the name.
Within the Dark Web, one can find various hidden marketplaces, forums, and websites that may engage in illicit activities, trade stolen data, or offer anonymous communication channels. Due to the nature of the Dark Web and its encryption mechanisms, it poses unique challenges for law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity professionals in monitoring and combating cybercrime.
Why Use Dark Web Monitoring?
Carrying out a cybercrime has never been easier than it is today. With the rapid rise of the digital age, cybercriminals are spoilt for choice when it comes to hacking tools, exploits, and modes of operation within and beyond the web.
The dark web, with its hidden marketplaces, encrypted communication channels, and anonymous transactions, provides cybercriminals with a place to thrive. While the exact size of the dark net is unknown, it is estimated to constitute roughly 5% of the internet. What's more, it is a breeding ground for fraudulent activities with credit card data being sold for as little as $9.
In this dangerous landscape, businesses need to confront the immense risks of online fraud and data theft. A single data breach can have far-reaching consequences that go beyond mere financial losses. The effects can reverberate throughout an organization, damaging its reputation, compromising customer trust, and jeopardizing its very survival.
The scope and magnitude of the dark web's influence on cybercrime cannot be understated. Dark web monitoring provides a crucial layer of defense, enabling you to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. When you've got an extra pair of eyes on the dark web, you can identify any sensitive data that may be exposed, and respond swiftly to mitigate the threat.
Benefits of Dark Web Monitoring
- Early Threat Detection: Dark Web monitoring enables the early detection of compromised information, empowering you to respond swiftly and prevent potential cyberattacks.
- Protect Your Data and Reputation: Discovering and addressing data breaches before they become public knowledge helps safeguard your reputation and maintain the trust of your customers and stakeholders.
- Enhanced Incident Response: Dark Web monitoring provides valuable insights that strengthen your incident response capabilities, allowing for more effective and targeted mitigation strategies.
Who Needs Dark Web Monitoring?
Dark Web monitoring is not limited to specific industries or individuals. In today's digital landscape, where data breaches affect organizations of all sizes, anyone with an online presence can benefit from these services. Whether you're an individual concerned about your personal information or a business safeguarding sensitive customer data, Dark Web monitoring is a critical component of a robust cybersecurity strategy.
Anybody's data could end up on the dark web. It could be your own, your employees' credentials, or even your suppliers' information. In fact, dark web data is commonly used to breach companies through their supply chain.
As cybersecurity professionals, one of the recurring themes we've seen throughout a large number of successful attacks has been the ability of hacker groups to simply purchase stolen credentials from the dark web and then use those stolen credentials to login to an organisation and then launch an attack from that organisation against the companies partners/suppliers/clients.
Our Global Sales Manager, Damian Harvey, emphasizes the critical importance of monitoring both the cyber posture of your suppliers and the dark web:
"The key message is that whilst you must continually monitor the cyber posture of your suppliers, you must also be constantly searching the dark web for any stolen credentials/accounts that may belong to your suppliers or your supply chain companies, as these stolen accounts from your suppliers provide an easy path for hackers to attack you company.
The company that is under attack will find it almost impossible to detect that an authorised login from the supplier is actually a cyber attack."
The harsh reality is that the company under attack often faces immense challenges in detecting these cyber attacks. When an authorized login is used by an attacker, it becomes incredibly difficult to differentiate between a legitimate user and a malicious intruder. Without dark web monitoring, you could remain totally unaware of this attack until it is too late.
Dark web monitoring serves as an essential proactive defense mechanism that allows you to check for compromised credentials regularly before your network has been breached.
How Does Personal Information Get On the Dark Web?
In the dark web a number of commodities are traded illegally and among the most sought-after and lucrative commodities is personal and sensitive data.
Data can end up on the dark web in a number of ways. As long as you've got an online presence, you're at risk of having your data stolen.
One common method involves infiltrating databases that store sensitive data. Organizations that hold vast amounts of personal information, such as financial institutions, healthcare providers, or online retailers, become prime targets for hackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to valuable data. Hackers can access this data by exploiting exisiting vulnerability in the databases or by breaching the network through social engineering tactics. Malicious software like keyloggers and spyware can also be used to hack systems and gain access to sensitive information.
Cybercriminals can also scan social media websites for for publicly accessible information that can be used for identity theft, spear-phishing attacks, or other malicious activities.
And if your organization has been breached in the past, it's likely that your data is already circulating on the dark web.
So what happens once your information is out there?
What Does It Mean If Your Information Is On the Dark Web?
Discovering that your information has been compromised and is circulating on the dark web can be distressing.
Moreover, once your information is on the dark web, it's probably also up for sale. Once this happens, it's very difficult to remove the data from the dark web.
Once cybercriminals have a hold of your data, they can use it to do pretty much anything they want. For instance, open accounts in your name, apply for loans or credit cards, hack your social media, and commit many more serious crimes.
Protect Your Business from Threats on the Dark Web
Dark web monitoring is like having a strong shield to protect your business from the dangers lurking in the hidden corners of the internet. Leverage its power to shine a light on the shadows, and safeguard your digital presence.
With key features such as ransomware and C2 intelligence, spam and phishing intelligence, Tor and open proxy intelligence, attacks and brute-force intelligence, DDoS intelligence, and more,
EvolveCTI equips you with the tools needed to stay one step ahead of malicious actors. Don't wait until it's too late – strengthen your defenses today and ensure the safety of your valuable data and assets. Book a demo with one of our experts today to see how you can protect your business from dark web threats.
