Monitoring the Dark Web: Why It’s Essential for Cybersecurity

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It’s often associated with illegal activities, such as the sale of stolen data, weapons, and drugs. However, it can also be a valuable source of information for cybersecurity professionals who know how to navigate it.

Why Dark Web Monitoring Matters

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a network of websites that are not indexed by search engines and require special software to access. It’s often used by individuals and organizations who want to maintain their privacy and avoid surveillance. While there are legitimate uses for the dark web, it’s also a breeding ground for criminal activity.

Define Monitoring Parameters

Why Monitor the Dark Web?

Monitoring the dark web can help organizations stay ahead of potential threats and protect their sensitive data. Here are some reasons why it’s essential for cybersecurity:

Is Dark Web Scanning Free?

A designated Mandiant intelligence analyst will help triage, prioritize, and provide contextual analysis to alerts so you can effectively mitigate the effect of data leaks, ransomware, and other cyber threats. Managed Digital Threat Monitoring maximizes the integration of industry-leading Mandiant Threat Intelligence; the designated analyst can leverage the full suite of Mandiant resources to provide context on threat alerts. The system includes workflows and machine learning to detect anomalous behavior on the network. It then references the external source or destination of that internet traffic with its Dark Web Scanner and threat intelligence database to identify the malicious actor participating in the suspicious activity.

• Early threat detection: By monitoring the dark web, organizations can detect potential threats before they become serious incidents. This can include the sale of stolen data, the development of new malware, or discussions about planned attacks.
• Brand protection: The dark web is often used to sell counterfeit goods and services, which can damage an organization’s reputation and result in financial losses. By monitoring the dark web, organizations can detect and take action against counterfeiters.
• Insider threats: Disgruntled employees or contractors may use the dark web to sell sensitive data or trade secrets. By monitoring the dark web, organizations can detect and mitigate insider threats.

How to Monitor the Dark Web

Mobile ID Protection

Monitoring the dark web requires specialized tools and expertise. Here are some ways to do it:

• Experian IdentityWorks offers Dark Web surveillance alerts starting with its Premium plan.
• ZeroFox also provides immediate activation of remediation services or Request for Information (RFI) through their digital risk platform, ensuring organizations are well-equipped to manage and mitigate dark web threats.
• Litigation, lost brand reputation, regulatory penalties and auditing costs may be at stake.
• Europol and the US Department of Justice launched a sting operation to seize two of the biggest dark web marketplaces and identify thousands of dark web criminals.
• If nothing else, dark web monitoring gives you the opportunity for action and damage control.

• Use dark web monitoring tools: There are several tools available that can help organizations monitor the dark web for potential threats. These tools can scan forums, marketplaces, and chat rooms for specific keywords and alert organizations to potential threats.
• Partner with a cybersecurity firm: Many cybersecurity firms offer dark web monitoring services. These firms have the expertise and resources to monitor the dark web effectively and can provide organizations with actionable intelligence.

This team will guide you step-by-step through the process of retaking your identity and minimizing the damage. Their reports track where and what type of your personal and credit information appears online. They’ll notify you if they detect suspicious activity or any changes to your profile. As a search engine, Intelligence X is unique because it works with “selectors”—specific search terms such as email addresses, domains, URLs, IPs, CIDRs, BTC addresses, IPFS hashes, and more. Aura will also let you know if they find another party using your SSN or other sensitive information online.

• Train employees: Employees can be a valuable source of information about potential threats on the dark web. By training employees to recognize and report suspicious activity, organizations can improve their dark web monitoring capabilities.

However, this reference can result in a lot of false-positives because there is a lot of legitimate traffic on the Tor network. Manby types of threats such as DDoS attacks, phishing, and spam email do not use the Tor network – they use source address spoofing instead. Progress WhatsUp Gold is a network device monitoring system that has add-on modules to watch over other resources.

Conclusion

Further, it comes with scanning options that help users easily collect and search for compromised accounts across the dark web. You can even run unlimited checks and identify undiscovered data theft using the self-service tool. For dark web monitoring, this is a great option with a user-friendly interface.

Monitoring the dark web is essential for cybersecurity. By detecting potential threats early, protecting their brand, and mitigating insider threats, organizations can improve their overall security posture and protect their sensitive data. While monitoring the dark web requires specialized tools and expertise, it’s a critical component of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.