What Is Dark Web Monitoring? Is it Needed?
Dynamix Solutions
What Is Dark Web Monitoring? Is it Needed?
Did you know that your data is probably up for sale on the dark web? And not for much money either.
Recent research into dark web activity shows that cybercriminals can purchase someone’s identity on the dark web for as little as $7.50 – that’s information like your email address, password, driver’s license data and even personal health records.
Data can find its way to the dark web in numerous ways: data breaches, data leaks and social engineering scams are just some of the ways malicious actors procure sensitive information.
Of course, for businesses the sale of personal data on the dark web spells trouble. Attackers can use this information to break into your business or conduct eerily convincing fraud scams, all of which can cost you money, reputational damage and lead to compliance fines.
Given the prevalence of this threat, dark web monitoring is undoubtedly important. Let’s take a look at why.
What Is Dark Web Monitoring?
Before we give you an overview of dark web monitoring, it’s first important to define the dark web. Essentially, the dark web is the digital underbelly of the online world. It’s a place where criminals go to conduct illegal activities, ranging from purchasing weapons to selling drugs to cybercrime.
You can’t access the dark web via Google. You need a special browser to get to it. It’s easy to understand why. Criminals don’t want to be found. The browser you need to use hides your IP address, making it difficult for crime enforcement units to find perpetrators.
However, while it might be difficult to find the people who use the dark web, you can find your data on it – thanks to dark web monitoring.
Dark web monitoring is an online service that scans the dark web’s marketplaces for your personal data so you can ensure that another company’s data breach doesn’t impact you or your business.
Here’s how dark web monitoring works in practice:
Monitor
Using the power of automation and artificial intelligence, dark web monitoring tools monitor all corners of the dark web for evidence of your personal information being exposed. They do this through pattern recognition technologies that match the information you’ve provided the solution with similar data that appears on the dark web for sale.
Alert
Should the tool discover your information on the dark web, you’ll immediately receive an alert letting you know your data has been compromised via email or in your browser, depending on the solution you have opted for.
Protect
From there, the tool will ask you to make changes to the compromised account, so you can keep your online identity safe. This will likely involve changing your password to the compromised account or, in the case of financial information, letting your bank know so you can ensure no fraud is committed.
What Types Of Personal Information Are At Risk On The Dark Web?
It’s scary to think but all types of personal information are vulnerable on the dark web, depending on a hacker’s intent. For example, if a cybercriminal wishes to comprise a company, they may look to purchase an employee’s email address and password.
In other cases, a malicious actor may want to commit fraud, so they’ll look to purchase credit card data or PayPal login details.
Personal health information (PHI) is also very valuable. Criminals may use it to falsely purchase prescriptions or seek out medical treatment under your name.
What Are The Features Of A Good Dark Web Monitoring Tool?
Dark web monitoring is undoubtedly a great tool to use both in your personal and professional life. However, not all solutions are created equal. You should look for the below features in a dark web monitoring tool:
- 24/7 monitoring
- Real-time alerting to exposed information
- Ability to analyze all areas of the dark web, not just a select few marketplaces
- Password generation capabilities that make it simple and easy to update your password in the event of compromise
- Monitor and prevent phishing and malware data harvesting activities on your servers
- Watch business networks and inform you of any potential leakages that occur while sharing sensitive data between systems
Note, too, that to make the most of dark web monitoring, you’ll need an IT expert that can manage your solution for you. For time-pressed SMBs, it often makes sense to lean-on an outsourced IT provider with dark web monitoring solutions. Your provider can implement and manage your service for you, so you don’t have to worry about being exploited by malicious actors.
Why Should My Business Use Dark Web Monitoring Services?
In today’s climate, it’s not a case of if your data will end up on the dark web, but when. It’s therefore vital to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. You don’t want to discover that your data has been stolen only after a successful credentials compromise attack or scam. You need to get ahead of attackers.
This is where dark web monitoring services come in, empowering you and your employees to react to data leaks and data theft before they cause disruption to your personal life of your business.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that hackers aren’t interested in your company or your personal data. They are. And they will use it to their own advantage at your expense.
Ultimately, dark web monitoring is an effective and inexpensive way to protect your online identity and your business from malicious actors. Don’t wait. Deploy dark web monitoring today and keep your data safe.
Keep Your Data Safe With Dynamix Solutions’ Dark Web Monitoring Services
Dynamix Solutions is your one-stop dark web monitoring service in Toronto and Calgary. Our team is always on hand to give you the very best in dark web monitoring for your business frameworks.
We have some of the best experts to keep watch on your systems and servers every step of the way. Simply call us at our Toronto office (416) 657-2449 or our Calgary office (403) 456-2183 to get started.
This post What Is Dark Web Monitoring? Is it Needed? first appeared on Dynamix Solutions and was written by James
