How Does Dark Web Monitoring Work?

April 18th, 2022 by admin

A hacker in a gray hoodie typing on two keyboards with the word 'Vulnerability' written in orange letters overlaid

The dark web is a crucial part of the internet. It provides secure and anonymous communication means. However, it is often misused, thereby making it home to numerous illicit activities such as:

  • Drug trafficking
  • Illegal sales of weapons
  • Trafficking stolen confidential information such as social security numbers and passwords
  • Identity theft

Did you know that in 2019, there were $1.9 billion frauds with approximately 600K identity thefts? Furthermore, identity thefts were up by 14 percent in 2019.

The web is like the sea. The surface waves on the top make the internet that we use every day. However, this surface contains millions of sites underneath that surface and deep down in the dark web. It is unknown to the regular web user and exists in a more secure and secretive location, often used and accessible by cybercriminals and hackers.

The Dark Web - What's on It?

Cybercriminals use the dark web to sell crucial information. The confidential information of different people and businesses can help them make hefty profits while leaving the victim feeling helpless. Therefore, the things that are found on the dark web are:

SSN (Social Security Numbers)

SSNs are the most vital yet typical information found on the dark web. By using an SSN of a person and other information, cybercriminals can easily steal the identity of the victim and open lines of financing and credits by that person's name. Before they know it, the damage is usually done.

Email Addresses

Email accounts are private and contain sensitive information. However, they are easier to hack by cyber-attackers than financial and bank accounts. A simple dark web scan can quickly help you find out whether your email address is floating around the dark web or not.

Passport Details

A passport is a backup ID if you lose your ID or driver's license. On the other hand, cyber-attackers take advantage of passport details and numbers to add validity to your stolen identity.

Medical Information

Under HIPAA, medical information is confidential and private. However, cyber-attackers have the tools and strategies to steal that information and float it on the dark web.

Bank Account Number

It is perhaps one of the most common items stolen. Once stolen, it is re-circulated on the dark web. Please note that this is highly dangerous and can damage your finances considerably. Once your account number is circulated on the dark web, it can be accessed quickly, and the criminals can steal the money out of it without you knowing about it.

Passwords

The dark web is the place where cybercriminals sell passwords. This includes passwords of bank accounts, government accounts, and social media. With more than 5 billion passwords currently floating on the dark web, keeping your confidential information and passwords secure has never been crucial.

All this requires intelligent dark web monitoring services. Dark web surveillance allows you to keep tabs on the dark web by carefully monitoring and looking for specific information related to you or your business.

Dark Web Surveillance - How Does it Work?

A dark web scan is vital to keep a lookout for crucial information. This helps detect things that match your own such as:

  • Email addresses
  • Passwords
  • SSN
  • Bank account numbers

This further ensures that you are knowledgeable of cybercriminal attacks sparing you from being at risk and realizing that your information has been stolen until it is too late. Dark web monitoring can indeed spare you from the far-reaching effects of identity theft, which otherwise can ruin your life. This is because if your information is wrongfully used to commit a crime, you could face jail time and penalties. Moreover, the money and time spent proving yourself not guilty and recovering your identity can leave you out of work and despair.

Hence, with the help of dark web monitoring, you can ensure 24/7 surveillance and keep your business and identity 100 percent safe. Dark web monitoring:

  • Lowers the amount of time between the occurrence of data breach and finding of it
  • Reduces the margin of opportunity provided to criminals to sell your confidential information
  • Minimizes the threat of losing your company's confidential data
  • It prevents your clients, high-profit personnel, and employees information from being exploited on the dark web

Therefore, consider investing in dark web monitoring services. For more information or assistance, contact us today.

Posted in: Solutions, Services


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