Stop Monitoring An Email Address
Understanding Dark Web Monitoring
Even as cybersecurity budgets have increased dramatically over the past decade, ransomware, phishing and other cyber threats have grown in intensity and frequency. For example, Flare’s Research team identified a surge in ransomware attacks from 2020 to 2021 – a total increase of 437%. Naturally, the number of victims of ransomware attacks have also been rising rapidly. Clearly, a vast and opaque underground economy has developed that deals in stolen passwords, stolen credit card numbers, ransomware as a service, and other illicit goods and services.
- Criminals can buy credential breaches for less than the cost of data from legitimate sources and though some are given away freely, other types of data are more lucrative.
- The information can be about an organization, its users or malicious actors on the dark web.
- With monitoring included in the Breach Prevention Platform (BPP), this natural extension focuses on total end-user security.
- NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring is a cybersecurity feature designed to prevent others from exploiting account information leaked to the dangerous dark web.
- Rather than focusing on account protection, this service protects both the image and trade secrets of the companies that it serves.
Dark web monitoring is an essential component of cybersecurity for individuals and organizations alike. It involves scanning the dark web—sections of the internet not indexed by traditional search engines—for sensitive information that may have been compromised or leaked.
Offering dark web monitoring solutions also makes you much more competitive. It gives you a solid advantage over other providers who haven’t offered it to their clients yet. It’s a great way to attract these clients to your business over your competitors.
What is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and inaccessible through standard web browsers. Users typically access it via specialized software like Tor, which anonymizes their connections. While it is often associated with illegal activities, the dark web also hosts legitimate forums and platforms.
By proactively engaging in dark web monitoring, businesses, and security teams can tap into a wealth of threat intelligence, giving them a strategic edge in threat hunting and cyber defense. Dark web monitoring involves using specialised software and tools to search for and analyse data on the dark web. This can include monitoring for specific keywords or phrases related to a company or individual, such as login credentials, financial information, or personal data. The goal of dark web monitoring is to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by cybercriminals. Dark Web Monitoring alerts contain detailed information about compromised credentials, credit card details, PII, and the covert communication threads, thus enabling organizations to take informed decisions on remediation.
Dark Web Monitoring is an invaluable tool to assist organizations in detecting stolen data and protecting their brand reputation. Tracking the dark web can be time-consuming for businesses that must monitor multiple websites for breaches and leaks. With your Social Security number and other personal information, an identity thief may be able to open a credit account, file a tax return or claim health insurance benefits in your name.
Why is Dark Web Monitoring Important?
Vision, by DarkOwl, is a Dark Web scan tool that indexes the content of malicious sites all over the World Wide Web to identify data stolen from its clients. We download the dark web data we use in Dark Web Monitoring to our servers. We do not transfer this data, or the email addresses you add to Dark Web Monitoring, to anyone else. When you add an email to Dark Web Monitoring, we only use the address to perform the dark web scan. Automatically monitor for compromised passwords and immediately address at the organizational level. Identity Guard is a reputable security company with great technology and a very low pricing tier.
It can encompass a spectrum of departments, including marketing, legal, human resources, and fraud prevention teams, ensuring a swift and coordinated response to emerging risks. Illicit forums and markets facilitate threat actors in buying and selling stolen data and hacking tools. Their actions generate data points that can then provide your CTI team with actionable intelligence to protect assets. Going beyond the dark web, SpyCloud researchers infiltrate criminal communities to access data early in the attack timeline and use proprietary technology to cleanse, curate, and transform the recaptured data into action.
It could be through a drop in sales, penalties from regulatory authorities, or fraud transactions. Bolster is able collect, analyze, and cache data and then organize reports in a comprehensive visualization for companies to get actionable insight. With better insight into where threats truly exist, you can take better action against dark web threats.
Monitoring the dark web is crucial for several reasons:
The support representative was not particularly helpful or attentive to our concerns, cutting off our explanation. The entities practicing under the PKF O’Connor Davies brand are independently owned and are not liable for the services delivered by any other entity providing services under the PKF O’Connor Davies brand. Our use of the terms “our Firm,” “we,” “us” and similar terms denote the alternative practice structure of PKF O’Connor Davies LLP and PKF O’Connor Davies Advisory LLC. You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence’s blocking tools, or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence. There’s three ways to get the ball rolling today and be one step closer to complete Microsoft 365 protection.
- Data Breaches: Companies and individuals may become victims of data breaches, leading to personal information, financial data, or corporate secrets being sold on the dark web.
- Identity Theft: Stolen identities can be sold and misused, resulting in severe financial and reputational damage.
- Proactive Security: Regular monitoring enables organizations to take proactive measures before potential threats escalate.
How Does Dark Web Monitoring Work?
The process of dark web monitoring generally involves the following steps:
- Scanning: Automated tools search hidden forums and marketplaces for leaked information.
- Data Collection: Gather relevant data, including email addresses, credit card numbers, and usernames that appear in compromised format.
- Alert Systems: Businesses are alerted to any findings that may endanger user accounts or organizational security.
- Response Procedures: Develop strategies to mitigate risks and respond to potential threats based on findings.
Benefits of Dark Web Monitoring
Investing in dark web monitoring offers numerous advantages:
- Peace of Mind: Knowing your data is being monitored helps alleviate concerns regarding safety and security.
- Minimized Risk: Identifying compromised data early can reduce the extent of damage through quick action.
- Enhanced Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to security can improve trust among customers and clients.
Common FAQs about Dark Web Monitoring
1. How often should dark web monitoring be conducted?
The frequency depends on the sensitivity of the data. For businesses handling a significant amount of personal data, continuous monitoring is recommended.
2. Is dark web monitoring legal?
Yes, dark web monitoring is legal; however, the information accessed must not involve illegal activities.
3. Can individuals benefit from dark web monitoring?
Absolutely! Individuals can use monitoring services to check if their personal information is being sold or exposed.
4. What should I do if my data is found on the dark web?
Upon discovery of leaked data, immediately change passwords, improve security practices, and consider financial monitoring services.
Conclusion
Dark web monitoring is a critical aspect of modern cybersecurity strategies. By staying ahead of potential threats, individuals and organizations can better protect themselves from the risks associated with data breaches and identity theft. Engaging in proactive monitoring is not just advisable; it’s essential in today’s digital landscape.
