Dark web monitoring searches for important information that may indicate that your business’s data is at risk or has already been stolen.
At its best, dark web monitoring helps your cybersecurity service to identify new threats and prevent cyberattacks. But, if the worst has happened, and your organisation’s information is already being offered for sale, it can still be helpful. For example, it will alert you to the need for a fresh look at your business’s online security, allow you to assess and mitigate the risks you’re exposed to, and gives you an opportunity to take steps to prevent the data from being used by criminals.
Of course, most people don’t use the dark web, so this explanation of what dark web monitoring is might not seem particularly helpful. A little background information is in order.
What is the Dark Web?
We can categorise the entire web into three categories. The surface web or World Wide Web consists of information that anyone can access. Search engines index it, making it possible for users to quickly find the information they need.
A big portion of the information on the web isn’t on the surface web and isn’t indexed by search engines. That doesn’t mean that the deep web is a scary place. For example, your Facebook profile won’t appear in regular searches because it’s on the deep web.
The dark web is altogether different. It isn’t indexed by search engines, and it’s encrypted so that you have to use a specific type of browser. The Tor Browser is the one that is most commonly used because it routes traffic in such a way that users can remain completely anonymous.
Because it allows people to do business online without leaving clues to their identity, the dark web is often used by people conducting illicit activities. For example, “The Silk Road,” closed down by the FBI in 2013, was a marketplace where products, mostly highly illegal ones, were sold for bitcoin.
The Silk Road may be a thing of the past, but the dark web, and sites that allow people to conduct shady “business deals,” continue to pose a threat.
How Does Dark Web Monitoring Work?
Specialised dark web monitoring tools can continuously scan the dark web for information indicating that your data is at risk or has been stolen.
For example, if a hacker has managed to steal employee credentials that give access to business systems, they may decide to sell the information to fraudsters rather than using it themselves. Since neither they nor their customers want to be identifiable, they will use the dark web to advertise what’s for sale and to get in touch with one another.
A good dark web monitoring tool will search for compromised information on the dark web, identify what the data pertains to, and alert the user in real time. The breach reports it generates can help cybersecurity professionals to identify the vulnerability that was exploited, helping them to secure your business’s information against future attacks.
Meanwhile, your business and its cybersecurity service can work to prevent stolen data from being used or to address the problems stakeholders may experience if their data has been leaked.
Depending on the nature of the breach report, that may mean changing login credentials, switching encryption keys, and taking the necessary steps required by law to alert anyone who may be affected.
How Does Sensitive Information Get on the Dark Web?
You might be wondering how sensitive information gets on the dark web in the first place. Three common methods people use to steal sensitive information are phishing, malware attacks, and brute force attacks.
Phishing
Phishing attacks come in many forms. However, they all use some form of trick to lure people into providing sensitive information or to offer bad actors an opportunity to install malware. For example, a phishing email with an unsolicited attachment hides a keystroke logger that will capture a key employee’s credentials the next time they log in.
Malware
There are many types of malware attacks but if an attacker’s aim is to gain access to your systems and steal information, the type of malware used can broadly be described as spyware.
Often, employees inadvertently open the door to an attack, and some attackers are very sly indeed, even spending time gathering information to make them seem legitimate. To combat this, combine effective cybersecurity measures with employee training.
Brute Force Attacks
In brute force attacks, hackers use software to try and guess login details. That’s why strong passwords are so important. Other helpful ways to foil brute force attacks include blocking access if there are too many failed login attempts and using multi factor authentication.
What Does it Mean if Your Information is on The Dark Web?
If your information is on the dark web, it means that you must urgently remedy the situation to limit damage while simultaneously redoubling your vigilance. It will be important to find out what type of data is involved. If your customers’ information has been stolen, you will have to alert them and tell them what you are doing about the situation.
Besides this, you need to know how the data breach occurred so that you can take the necessary steps to prevent further malicious activity. You should also change passwords, ensure that multi factor authentication will block unauthorised activity, and notify the authorities.
Because this is such a sensitive situation, you should get help from cybersecurity experts and you may need legal help to comply with data protection laws. If you have cyber-insurance, let your insurance company know about the breach.
Benefits of Dark Web Monitoring for Business
There are many reasons why businesses and organisations of all sizes should implement dark web monitoring. These include:
- Early threat detection
- Rapid data breach mitigation
- Identity theft and fraud prevention
- Provision of evidence that cybersecurity is receiving due diligence
- Protecting your customers and employees
Stay Safe With Advantex
It’s a data-driven world, and information is an extremely valuable asset. If it isn’t stored safely and protected well, there will be people who will steal it for gain. Nonprofits, the NHS, and the British Library are among the high-profile organisations that have been targeted.
Prevention is better than cure. Advantex is an accredited cybersecurity provider in the UK with organisations ranging from businesses to schools relying on us to keep their information safe. We work with you to ensure that your employees know how to implement safe practices, help you to search for vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, and implement a suite of best-in-class cybersecurity services on your behalf.
It pays to be extra-cautious, even when you’re doing everything in your power to safeguard data. We implement round-the-clock dark web monitoring and our personnel are there to support you 24/7.
Advantex provides bespoke online cyber awareness training programmes tailored to each employee’s skill level. These personalised programmes allow companies to monitor progress, identify areas for improvement, and address ongoing risks plus help detect when stolen user credentials are found on the dark web that could be used to launch targeted phishing attacks.
Strengthen your defences and achieve peace of mind with us. Book your consultation today.
