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What exactly is the dark web?
The internet is much bigger than what most people think.
The "surface web", which consists of websites accessible through search engines, is only a small portion of the entire internet. There are many more websites that are hidden and not easily accessible to the average user. This is because not all information online is intended to be public.
Did you know?
There are 2.5 million active users on the dark web daily.
Source: Tor Project
What's on the dark web?
Here is a list of some of the things that can be found on the dark web:
1. Black Markets: The dark web is known for hosting various online marketplaces where illegal goods and services are bought and sold, including drugs, firearms, stolen data, counterfeit money, and hacking tools.
2. Hacking Services: There are individuals and groups on the dark web offering various hacking services, such as hacking into social media or email accounts, launching DDoS attacks, or offering malware and exploit kits.
3. Stolen Data: Personal information, medical records, social security numbers, credit card details, login credentials, and even fingerprints.
4. Cryptocurrency Scams: The dark web is rife with fraudulent schemes related to cryptocurrency, including scams, fake exchanges, and pump-and-dump schemes.
5. Restricted Information: Since the dark web provides anonymity and privacy, it is often used to access and share restricted or censored information, conduct whistleblowing activities, or promote terrorism.
Bitcoin is the main form of payment used in dark web marketplaces.
Source: "Dark Web: A Web of Crimes"
Is my business data on the dark web?
Most likely, yes. If you have an email, use social media, own a home, or use a smartphone.
Let's discuss how your data ends up on the internet in the first place.
1. Metadata: This is the data you unintentionally leave behind while using the internet, such as your IP address and browsing history.
2. Voluntary Sharing: This is the information you willingly share online, including pictures, posts, and personal details.
3. Data Collection: This is the information disclosed by other entities, such as government organizations, credit report companies, and data brokers, who collect and sell your information to target you with advertisements.
If you want to check if your business's data is on the dark web, you can get a complimentary dark web scan. Simply provide an email address to retrieve a detailed report. Moreover, we offer the ability to actively monitor the dark web for your data, empowering you to promptly and preemptively handle any data breaches.
A cloned credit card with a PIN cost only costs between $25 to $35 dollars on the dark web.
Source: Privacy Affair's Dark Web Price Index 2021
Why should I monitor my business data?
Client data, employee social security numbers, and business records, once leaked, hold significant value on the black market. However, many businesses tend to disregard the risks associated with the dark web and fail to recognize the abundance of sellable data floating around on the internet. To prevent security breaches, it is crucial to have dark web monitoring in place.
By conducting dark web scans, businesses can proactively defend against account takeovers, network attacks, data loss, and breaches. These scans provide alerts for compromised accounts, enabling timely password changes and increased vigilance against suspicious activities. Most importantly, dark web monitoring empowers employees to be more cyber-aware and resilient.