The Comprehensive Guide To Third-Party And Supply Chain Risk
Cybersecurity service providers have a more precise definition of the Dark Web. In contrast, the clear web is the publicly accessible portion of the internet that standard search engines index and search. It consists of websites and resources that are openly available to users without any special access requirements or encryption protocols. The deep web includes all the pages that search engines don’t index including password-protected websites and websites that choose not to be “crawled” by search engines. The deep web contains content that’s stored in databases that support services on the clear web, such as social media platforms or subscription streaming services.
Understanding Dark Web Monitoring
Data breaches happen every year, some leaking hundreds of millions of user profiles. Still, hackers often go a step further and compile all the personal information they can find into sets (known as “fullz”). These sets are especially dangerous since they may include names, addresses, bank accounts, phone numbers, social security numbers, and potentially even credit card numbers. This is particularly useful when individuals or businesses want to improve their defenses after sensitive information has already fallen into the wrong hands. While the best identity theft protection tools will alert you if there’s any suspicious activity online, cybercriminals could still be sitting on a host of credentials without you knowing.
The dark web refers to a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. While it can be a space for privacy and anonymity, it is also home to illegal activities. This is where dark web monitoring comes into play.
That’s why any website or app that stores your personal information could one day fall victim to a cyberattack, phishing scam, or data breach, exposing your sensitive information to hackers and scammers. Often used as a tool for illegal activities, the dark web needs monitoring. Yet, most organizations completely leave this out of their security strategy. Secrets such as API keys, access tokens, passwords, encryption keys, and access credentials often make it to the dark web and put your organization at severe risk. The bottom line – you need to scan the dark web to check if your secrets are exposed.
What is Dark Web Monitoring?
Dark web monitoring is the process of scanning the dark web for stolen data, personal information, or compromised credentials. Organizations and individuals conduct this type of monitoring to protect themselves and their data.
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. Email addresses can be coupled with business data to enable business identity theft. Monitoring of the darknet occurs in real time, with constant searches pulling raw intelligence. Every day, millions of websites are scanned for either specific data (such corporate email addresses) or broad categories of data (e.g., the company name and industry). For example, in April, 2021, Facebook suffered a leak of 533 million users leaked online.
The goal of dark web monitoring is to identify any potential threats before they can escalate into a breach or identity theft. By being proactive, users can take steps to mitigate the risks posed by this hidden part of the internet.
Importance of Dark Web Monitoring
It searches for pieces of your personally identifiable information (PII) on websites frequented by cybercriminals. The deep web is an internet section that is not indexed by web crawlers or search engines, and the dark web is a part or division of the deep web that can be accessed only with special software. Although the former is used mainly for legitimate daily online activities, the latter is more anonymous and known as a haven for illegal transactions.
The sooner you learn about a compromise that’s made your data vulnerable to hackers, the faster you can reset passwords or identify and fix other security gaps. By proceeding with this scan, you agree to let IDStrong run a Free Scan of supplied parameters of your personal information and provide free preliminary findings in compliance with our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice. You consent to us using your provided information to complete the Free Scan and compare it against our records and breach databases or sources to provide your Free preliminary findings report.
Flare monitors thousands of cybercrime channels across sources as diverse as Telegram, the traditional dark web (Tor) and I2P. Our platform automatically collects, analyzes, structures, and contextualizes dark web data to provide our customers with high-value intelligence specific to their organization. Flare sets up and integrates into your existing security program in 30 minutes and can be easily picked up by junior analysts in a matter of minutes. Digital Threat Monitoring is part of Mandiant’s wider multi-vendor XDR platform, which is comprised of multiple tools aimed at identifying high-risk attack vectors, malicious orchestration, and attack campaigns on the open web. This platform also provides contextual information on threat actors and their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), allowing organizations to remain vigilant in securing their digital assets, supply chain, and brand.
Dark web monitoring is essential for several reasons:
- Identity Theft Prevention: Many individuals and organizations fall victim to identity theft. Monitoring can help detect if personal information is being sold.
- Data Breach Awareness: Organizations can respond swiftly if sensitive data is discovered on the dark web.
- Brand Protection: Companies can safeguard their reputation by monitoring for unauthorized use of their brand or products.
- Financial Security: Discovering credit card information or banking details on the dark web helps in preventing financial loss.
How Dark Web Monitoring Works
Dark web monitoring generally involves the use of specialized tools and services. Here are the key steps:
- Data Collection: Various sources on the dark web are scanned for information pertaining to the individual or organization.
- Analysis: The collected data is analyzed to determine its relevance and severity.
- Alerts: Stakeholders receive alerts if compromised information is found, allowing them to take immediate action.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Continuous monitoring ensures that new threats are detected in real-time.
Choosing a Dark Web Monitoring Service
- Search engines use a type of software, called a “web bot.” In Google’s instance, those programs are called “Googlebots”.
- Information Security teams can identify which systems were compromised and how exactly vulnerabilities were manipulated by attackers.
- PKF O’Connor Davies LLP and PKF O’Connor Davies Advisory LLC practice in an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations and professional standards.
- That’s why dark web monitoring should be a part of every business’s cybersecurity protection suite.
- The relevant source and text of the discovered content is then posted in the Scout dashboard.
When selecting a dark web monitoring service, consider the following factors:
- Comprehensive Coverage: Ensure the service scans a wide range of dark web sources.
- Real-time Alerts: Look for services that provide immediate notifications when potential threats are identified.
- Reputation: Research the service’s reputation and reliability through customer reviews and industry rankings.
- Customer Support: Evaluate the level of support offered, especially in case a breach is detected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of information can be found on the dark web?
The dark web can host a variety of illicit information, including:
- Personal identification information
- Credit card numbers and financial details
- Login credentials for various platforms
- Confidential business data
Is dark web monitoring only for businesses?
No, dark web monitoring is beneficial for both individuals and businesses. Individuals can protect their personal information, while businesses can safeguard sensitive corporate data.
How often should dark web monitoring be conducted?
It is advisable to conduct dark web monitoring continuously or at regular intervals to ensure timely detection of any potential threats.
Conclusion
In an increasingly digital world, understanding the importance of dark web monitoring is crucial for both individuals and organizations. As the risks associated with the dark web continue to grow, proactive measures can make a significant difference in protecting personal and sensitive information.
