- Feb 2

You should be using Dark Web Monitoring, here's why.

Updated: Feb 2

Cybersecurity Services - Cybersecurity Guides

Are you or your business currently using a Dark Web Monitoring service? If not, you should absolutely consider getting it. Cyber attack and breaches are not slowing down, unfortunately. Many times, you or your business may not even realize how a cyber breach affects you if the attack wasn't directly on your network. The truth is, many of these impacts stem from a 3rd party that you are working with or using a service they provide. Although that company likely has a responsibility to report this to you, it may take months for that to happen, or it's possible you miss the communication.

You should be using Dark Web Monitoring, here's why.

Dark web monitoring is a type of cyber security surveillance used to identify and protect organizations from threats and malicious activity on the dark web. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and accessible only with specialized software or authorization, making it a haven for criminal activity. Dark web monitoring involves scanning this area to detect any breaches from unauthorized access to an organization’s data and systems, as well as any suspicious activities by third parties such as hackers and malicious actors.

Once threats are identified, the organization can take appropriate steps to mitigate them. Dark web monitoring also provides organizations with valuable insights into their risk profile, giving them real-time visibility into threats against their networks, systems, and data. This information can be used to strengthen cyber defenses and prevent future attacks.

The importance of dark web monitoring has grown in recent years due to the increasing sophistication of hackers and other malicious actors. By understanding how these threats operate on the dark web, organizations can stay ahead of the curve in terms of protecting themselves against attack. Dark web monitoring is helpful in detecting potential cyber attacks because it provides insight into the illicit activities and data breaches that occur in the hidden parts of the internet. By monitoring the dark web, organizations can detect when their sensitive information has been compromised, allowing them to take action before the attackers can use that information for malicious purposes.

For example, if a dark web monitoring service detects a leak of an organization's login credentials or financial information, the organization can immediately change those credentials and take steps to protect their financial accounts. By doing so, they can prevent the attacker from using that information to launch a cyber attack, such as a phishing scam or a fraudulent transaction.

In addition, dark web monitoring can also help organizations identify trends and patterns in cyber criminal activity. This information can be used to improve their overall security posture and to better protect against future attacks. Overall, dark web monitoring is a proactive approach to cybersecurity that can help organizations detect and prevent cyber attacks before they cause significant harm.

To effectively monitor the dark web, organizations need specialized tools like threat intelligence platforms which provide automated scanning capabilities across multiple parts of the dark web.

A dark web monitoring service or tool typically includes the following features:

Continuous scanning of the dark web for personal or business-related data breaches and leaks.
This may include compromised data sets, account information (user names and/or passwords), email or physical addresses and any other personally identifiable information (PII).
Alerts and notifications sent to the users when any sensitive information is found.
Analysis and assessment of the threat level posed by the data breach or leak.
Recommendations and guidance on how to mitigate the potential risks associated with the data breach or leak.
Regular reporting and updates on the status of the monitored information.
Integration with other security tools and systems for a comprehensive view of the user's security posture.

Some examples of Dark Web Monitoring services include:

Keep in mind, many identity protection and credit monitoring services also provide Dark Web Monitoring. Many password managers also bundle Dark Web Monitoring with their services. There are also some good free resources you can find that allow you to perform manual one-time searches. This is a good example to check out: https://breachdirectory.org/

The key difference of a Dark Web Monitoring service, rather than a search engine/database that can be found, is that the paid services will continuously scan, monitor and alert you when there is something that needs attention.