Monitoring the Dark Web: Why It Matters and How to Do It

Dark web monitoring can also be used to track the exchange of malware and attacker behavior, which can be useful in developing preventative cybersecurity strategies and faster incident response. 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. Dashlane offers separate subscription tiers to individuals, families, and businesses. It does provide some Dark Web monitoring to all paid accounts, but it saves the most valuable features for its business accounts.

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and data breaches. As a result, monitoring the dark web has become an essential task for many organizations, including law enforcement agencies, cybersecurity firms, and businesses.

The Deep Web

Why Monitor the Dark Web?

Monitoring the dark web can provide valuable insights into potential threats to an organization. For example, cybercriminals may sell stolen data or offer services for hire on dark web forums. By monitoring these forums, organizations can identify potential threats and take action to mitigate them before they cause harm.

Additionally, monitoring the dark web can help organizations stay informed about the latest trends and techniques used by cybercriminals. This knowledge can be used to improve cybersecurity measures and protect against future attacks.

Leveraging Dark Web Monitoring Services For Enhanced Threat Intelligence

How to Monitor the Dark Web

One of the most common transactions on the dark web involves the sale of people’s stolen personal information. When you think of the internet, search engines like Google, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo probably come to mind. These are the traditional gateways to search results, websites, and other information stored online.

This service operates on the premise that potential adversaries may lurk in your system’s shadows, ready to exploit vulnerabilities. Daily, millions of compromised user records, credit card numbers, intellectual property, and login credentials are added to the Dark Web by cybercriminals. The point is, the dark web is not readily accessible to the average internet user and monitoring the goings on is not a one-person job. This is why businesses turn to special services to monitor the dark web for their own sensitive information. There is no point in scheduling a total scan of the Dark Web say, once a month because as soon as credentials on your network are published, your business is exposed.

Monitoring the dark web can be challenging, as it requires specialized tools and knowledge. Here are some steps that organizations can take to monitor the dark web effectively:

Use Dark Web Monitoring Tools

There are several tools available that can help organizations monitor the dark web. These tools can scan dark web forums and marketplaces for specific keywords, such as a company’s name or a particular type of data. Some popular dark web monitoring tools include DarkOwl, Webhose, and Sixgill.

Integration With Existing Security Infrastructure

Partner with Cybersecurity Firms

Cybersecurity firms often have the expertise and resources necessary to monitor the dark web effectively. By partnering with a cybersecurity firm, organizations can gain access to advanced monitoring tools and experienced analysts who can help identify potential threats.

Credential breaches are the equivalent of giving a front door key to a hacker, potentially allowing them to access your network and carry out further attacks. The real-time nature of dark web monitoring allows for proactive threat mitigation. When compromised data is identified, businesses can take swift measures to address vulnerabilities and prevent cybercriminals from exploiting the information. This proactive approach reduces the timeframe for potential attackers, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or fraudulent activities. In 2023, the dark web had over 2.5 million daily users, and more than half of those visitors were involved in illegal activities.

Stay Informed About Dark Web Trends

Easily Integrates Into Ticketing & CRM Platforms

Staying informed about the latest trends and techniques used by cybercriminals on the dark web can help organizations identify potential threats. This can be done by reading industry publications, attending cybersecurity conferences, and following relevant social media accounts.

FAQs

What is the dark web?

The part above the water is the “surface web,” where you can find webpages using search engines such as Google or Bing. Empower the inevitable part of your cyber defense mechanisms with the ability to identify and neutralize threats at the very beginning of the cyber kill chain. Choose from multiple implementation options and require action on exposures according to your users’ tolerance for friction. When using SpyCloud’s recaptured data for consumer alerts, choose what data points to share for education and action.

• Organizations that are committed to protecting their business and customers with a comprehensive security strategy should evaluate the potential benefits of deploying dark web monitoring in their security stack.
• In addition to dark web surveillance, there are other ways that identity monitoring can help protect against identity theft.
• They can scan millions of sites in real-time to give you deep and valuable insights into dark web activity.
• The dark web will also expose you to extreme, graphic content and can also alert security authorities about your access.
• Antimalware and antivirus programs aim to prevent malicious code from running from the start, but they do not help after the fact.

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, and data breaches.

Why is monitoring the dark web important?

Dark Web Monitoring notifies you when your data is discovered, allowing you to respond quickly to security breaches, helping to minimize their impact. When you set up your monitoring profile in Google One, your profile info is used to check whether a match was found on the dark web. You can find guidance on how to protect your personal information on the Google One website and app. Businesses that monitor the dark web can find out if they’ve been breached or find indicators that they are likely to be breached, as well as possibly learn who is attacking them and what methods the attackers may use. They troll through the non-surface level of the Internet to determine if your information has been compromised.

Monitoring the dark web can provide valuable insights into potential threats to an organization. By identifying potential threats early, organizations can take action to mitigate them before they cause harm.

How can organizations monitor the dark web?

Organizations can monitor the dark web using specialized tools, partnering with cybersecurity firms, and staying informed about dark web trends.