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All it takes is one online store to be compromised for some of your most personal information — your full name, address, account number and password, even your credit card details — to leak and end up for sale on the dark web. The dark web is a place where identity thieves can buy or sell personal information on hard-to-find websites and forums. Norton™ 360 with LifeLock™ features built-in Dark Web Monitoring§ that carefully scans even the deepest parts of the dark web and notifies you if your information is found. Dark web monitoring tools are not illegal, but they do not take any action to remove your information from ending up on the dark web. This is because the dark web has anonymous users, several layers of encryption, and no customer service.
Understanding the Importance of Monitoring the Dark Web
BreachWatch performs constant, unlimited dark web scans of your Keeper Vault to keep your online identity protected. BreachWatch alerts you in real-time when stolen passwords match ones stored in your Keeper Vault so you can take immediate action. BreachWatch can also protect your company from credential stuffing and account takeover attacks. In cloud-native environments, the Wallarm API Security platform provides visibility, strong protection, and automatic incident response across your entire API portfolio. Identity threat prevention technology can partition identities to automatically enforce risk-based conditional access and promptly revoke access when risks are discovered.
Rather than having to keep track of breaches that could affect you — and then manually scan each time — a Dark Web monitor can do it all for you behind the scenes. In the wrong hands, this kind of data can be used to steal your bank account numbers, credit or debit card information, or worse — your identity. While not all Dark Web forums and sites are used for illegal activity, the Dark Web is notorious for its links to cybercrime and illegal content.
Monitoring the dark web is increasingly becoming a critical function for organizations and individuals concerned about cybersecurity. This hidden part of the internet hosts sites that are not indexed by traditional search engines, making them a hub for illicit activities, data breaches, and the trade of stolen information.
Our database contains information on over 15 billion breached credentials (usernames and passwords). This helps you see instantly whether your credentials can still be exploited by criminals to infiltrate accounts and systems. It works as an extension of the Firefox web browser, providing alerts when your username or password data appear on databases of known breaches.
By subscribing to a feed through a DWM program, you can save money on hiring a specialist to search for, consolidate, and analyze threat intelligence manually. When a threat is identified, users can set up a personalized alert to notify themselves and anybody else in the business who needs to be aware of the situation, including the marketing, legal, human resources, and fraud departments. The sheer volume of information made accessible by sites like Google and Yahoo might give the impression that the World Wide Web is far larger than it actually is.
Why is Monitoring the Dark Web Essential?
With dark web monitoring from Ntiva, you’re alerted to cybersecurity threats and suspicious activity early on, so you can prevent data breaches and attacks from harming your business. Dark Web Threat Intelligence helps you monitor breached data or mentionings of your organisation in the Deep- and Dark Web. This prevents even more severe breaches in the future – if you interfere before hackers can use the stolen data to escalate their attacks. Concerning employee behavior, you can create a teachable moment, reminding all employees about secure internet and email usage. Since the breaches also contain passwords, you will be able to identify users who use the same or similar passwords over multiple websites/applications. You also will be able to find risky users, i.e., users who register with their company email account on many different private websites.
Following a phishing attack or exploit, critical data such as credentials can get leaked and used for credential stuffing, identity fraud, illegal access, and other attacks. Track key forensic evidence such as leaked credentials, cybercriminal activity, and second stage ransomware attacks by gaining access to external threat intelligence. A Dark Web monitoring service helps any organisation that is responsible for securing sensitive customer data, owns valuable intellectual property, or could be a target for any kind of criminal cyber activity such as identity theft. Keyloggers, a specific type of malware, record keystrokes and capture sensitive information like login credentials. Malware can infect computers through infected websites, email attachments or malicious downloads, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity solutions to protect against these insidious threats. The first step for many fledgling cybersecurity programs is to get visibility into the types of data they collect, the amounts of data collected, and the security measures on their network.
The dark web can pose significant risks as it often serves as a marketplace for cybercriminals. Here are some reasons why monitoring the dark web is essential:
- The deep web is just a secure, back-end platform where you’ll find things like document-sharing sites, your email, and other secure log-in sites.
- Considering the rise in data breaches, cybersecurity threats, and the value of data in today’s digital economy, proactive monitoring provides an essential layer of protection.
- To initiate dark web monitoring (DWM) for your Sticky Account, simply choose either the Manual or Automatic setting in the dropdown box in the Security Dashboard.
- Key features of SpyCloud include continuous monitoring, rapid response, evolving data, and automated remediation.
- Data breaches are costing more and more companies money and intellectual property.
- Data Breach Detection: Organizations can quickly identify if their sensitive data is posted for sale.
- Proactive Cybersecurity: By understanding threats, companies can bolster their defenses before an attack occurs.
- Brand Protection: Monitoring can prevent reputational damage by catching unauthorized use of brand assets.
- Insider Threat Identification: Monitoring helps identify potential insider threats who may be selling sensitive information.
How to Effectively Monitor the Dark Web
Limitations Of Dark Web Monitoring
Effective monitoring the dark web involves various strategies:
- Use Specialized Tools: Many software tools can scan the dark web for compromised credentials and sensitive information.
- Engage Professional Services: Cybersecurity firms often offer dark web monitoring as part of their services.
- Regular Training: Training employees to recognize potential threats can enhance the overall security posture.
- Establish Alerts: Set up alerts to notify you immediately if your information is detected on the dark web.
What to Look For When Monitoring the Dark Web
When engaging in monitoring the dark web, focus on key areas:
- Personal Identifiable Information (PII): Check for theft of names, social security numbers, and credit card details.
- Company Credentials: Monitor for data leaks that may include employee emails and passwords.
- Intellectual Property: Look for instances where proprietary company information is being sold.
- Trade Secrets: Identify if confidential trade secrets are compromised or available for purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by standard search engines. It requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access, making it largely anonymized and untraceable.
Why do cybercriminals use the dark web?
Cybercriminals frequent the dark web to trade stolen data, sell illegal goods, and communicate anonymously without the fear of being monitored by authorities.
How can individuals protect themselves from dark web threats?
Individuals can protect themselves by using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly monitoring their accounts for suspicious activity.
Is dark web monitoring only for businesses?
No, while companies can greatly benefit from it, individuals can also utilize monitoring the dark web services to protect their personal information.
Conclusion
Monitoring the dark web is essential in today’s digital age, where cybersecurity threats are rampant. By understanding the risks and employing effective strategies, individuals and organizations can protect themselves from potential threats lurking in the depths of the internet.
