What is the dark web
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not accessible to standard search engines and browsers such as Google.
On the Dark Web we find several websites and networks that use encryption and anonymization software to hide the identity of users and site owners. There sale of drugs, weapons and other illegal goods and services are just some of the criminal activities that take place on the dark web.
The Dark Web is deliberately kept hidden and can only be accessed using special software, of which the Tor browser is the best known.
Go to the Dark web guide
What is the deep web
The part of the Internet that is not indexed by search engines is instead called the Deep Web. These are websites, networks and technologies that require access software and specific skills. This includes secret, governmental and corporate databases, private networks and other content not accessible to the general public. More commonly, in the deep web we find all the web pages behind a form, a login or a payment system. All these sensitive data such as passwords, emails, bank accounts, online subscriptions are stored in the Deep Web for obvious security reasons.
Dark web monitoring
By means of dark web monitoring tools, one can discover stolen or leaked information, including credentials, intellectual property and other sensitive material that is traded and sold by criminals using the dark web. Corporate cybersecurity specialists scan the dark web on a timely basis to detect, track and mitigate the effects of a data leak.
Dark web monitoring is used to find out if any sensitive company data is being traded illegally. To gather accurate information it is necessary to continuously monitor and follow millions of websites on the dark web in real time.
Identity theft and the dark web
Identity thieves buy and sell personal information on the dark web. If your data is stolen, there is a chance it will end up on the dark web. It's vital to keep an eye out for any indications that your information has been stolen and is being marketed on the dark web to protect you from identity theft. Identity theft can have very serious financial and social consequences that last for years.
How to monitor the dark web
Companies use dark web monitoring services to find out if their confidential data, passwords, contact information, or intellectual property has been exposed. Dark web monitoring is the process of searching dark web forums and websites. If any irregularities are discovered, the dark web monitoring service will alert you and suggest how to take appropriate action.
Activities used in monitoring:
- Do real-time tracking and continuous monitoring of millions of dark web domains.
- Inform companies about the duration of data exposure and the access methods used.
- Have a response model that you can implement quickly to minimize risk and apply a response strategy
- Use the advanced technical tools that are used in cybersecurity to assess the extent of the threat
- Make a classification of threats to establish the mitigation strategy and risk profile
Risks that can be detected on the dark web
Dark Web monitoring activity is able to identify a number of risks such as:
- Data leaks
- Attempts of fraud and impersonation
- Planned attacks
- Exploits, software that takes advantage of a flaw in the computer system
- Phishing and whaling attacks
- Password
- Credenziali
- Intellectual property
- Domain spoofing and misuse of trademarks and other sensitive data that is shared and sold among criminals using the Dark Web.
Dark web and personal information
Personal information can end up on the dark web in a variety of ways, including data breaches, phishing scams, malware, and other cybercrime activities. Data filtering in most cases occurs due to careless or superficial conduct of personnel, or due to outdated software or programming interfaces that are not adequately protected.
The computer pirates, after having entered the computer system, try to put together as much information as possible about people, unifying confidential and non-confidential information, in order to form a package that completely profiles the person's identity, so as to be able to market everything to a higher price.
How to protect yourself safely
To protect your data, use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication. Additionally, you need to be aware of attempts to Phishing and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from them. To further protect your device from cyber threats, install antivirus software and update your operating system. Hire a professional from cybersecurity to, among other things, install a firewall and keep an eye on the dark web for signs of a breach of your information.
Maintaining the security of your data is an ongoing process, so it is vital that you are always vigilant to keep it safe.