Want to step ahead to protect your data on the dark web? Is there anything that you could feasibly do? Well, dark web monitoring is the best option. Here is everything you need to know about it.
What is Dark Web Monitoring?
Dark web monitoring is a service that scans, searches, and tracks your personal data that is found on the dark web markets, chatrooms, services, or forums. If your data is found, you receive a notification of your compromised account details. This process spaces where ransomware gangs, APT groups, and hacker cooperatives gather to trade stolen data, exploit vulnerabilities, and plan their next move. So, it’s like having a cybersecurity surveillance camera set up in the darknet.
How Does Dark Web Monitoring Work?
It includes different software built for monitoring and security experts who know about the tinges of online dangers of the hidden internet. It helps companies and individuals to step ahead of cybercriminals. Here are the details of how monitoring services work.
Data Crawling
The crawlers of dark web monitoring scan dark web forums, markets, chat rooms, data breach sources, credential stuffing, databases, social media, and public records to get sensitive data. They specifically look for the data, including:
- Passwords
- Social Security number
- Physical address
- Passport number
- Mother’s maiden name
- Bank account numbers
- Phone numbers
- Credit and debit cards
- Retail and membership cards
- Driving license
- Medical identification numbers
Data Matching
The monitoring tool matches the data gathered from the crawlers to customer records, employee credentials, or proprietary data. Businesses can use this to determine whether company information was compromised and, if so, respond properly.
Threat Intelligence Gathering
Dark web monitoring also gathers data from the dark web to know the tactics and actions of cybercrimes. It helps companies to prepare for any future attack by keeping an eye on how cyber threats are evolving.
Instant Notifications
If the compromised data is identified, the suspect will get the notification so they take instant action. It lets them take immediate action and reduce the damage the data breach will cause. The alerts include
- What data was leaked?
- Where it was found
- Risk level assessment
- Steps to protect
- Guidance for protecting compromised accounts
Non Stop Surveillance
Dark web monitoring tools search continuously for threats on this hidden part of the internet. That keeps the companies protected at all times. It is important to prevent data leaks from remaining hidden for a reasonably long time. Nonstop investigation boosts the overall security posture and reduces the number of exposures.
Best Dark Web Monitoring Tool
Many dark net monitoring software are designed for the security teams and companies that fight cybercrime. It offers insights into the current cybercrime and cyberattack trends on the dark web and offers actionable notifications for individuals and companies. Below, we mentioned dark web monitoring services. However, the features and functionalities can change slightly from each other, so decide on the tool that meets your needs.
ZeroFox Dark Web
ZeroFOX is one of the leading cybersecurity platforms that offer defenses against criminal activity and online threats. It avoids actionable alarms and provides early information. Here are the features Zerofox provides:
- Constantly keeps an eye on important data
- A platform driven by AI
- A service that responds to breaches
- Guards against dark web threats
ACID Intelligence
ACID Intelligence is also a dark web monitoring platform that keeps an eye on dark web forums and websites to catch attacks early in the planning phase. It provides data in real-time and plans a course of action to stop them in the future. The main features of ACID are;
- Advanced notifications that are actionable and real-time.
- Detect threats
- Monitor a broad range of credentials.
Aura
Aura is a secure password manager, a safe browser, and a tool for bank monitoring. Along with text and antiviral protection, Aura offers digital security features like:
- A round-the-clock, US-based help system.
- Accurate tracking of data breaches.
- It opens new accounts using your ID.
- Alerts you if your SSN or other private data is being used by someone else.
Dark Owl Vision
Dark Owl Vision is one of the most well-known dark web monitoring services, which has the biggest darknet database. Users may monitor, search, and analyze the dark web with the Dark Owl product, a vision user interface. Here are the additional features;
- An intuitive user interface.
- Customizable search options.
- API for feed integration
- Threat warnings.
Flashpoint Ignite
Flashpoint Ignite is an advanced intelligence provider that helps businesses identify, and address new online threats. It gives security teams the ability to make well-informed decisions, advance incident response, and strengthen their defenses against complex attacks in dynamic situations by offering real-time alerts, richer data, and customizable workflows. Here are some features Flashpoint offers;
- Complete dark web scans
- Real-time notifications of the compromised accounts
- Intelligence reports of threat analysis
- Account security protection
DigitalStakeout Scout
DigitalStakeout Scout is a darknet threat intelligence service that identifies unusual network activity with machine learning. It uses its Dark Web Scanner and threat intelligence database to look up the external source or destination of the internet traffic. Then it finds the malicious actor involved in the questionable activity. Feature DigitalStakeout provides
- Deeply monitor dark websites.
- Credentials theft identification
- Give alerts of threat intelligence on hacker campaigns.
CYRISMA
CYRISMA is a dark web monitoring tool that keeps tabs on the data of businesses on the dark web. It lets them spot data breaches and predict and stop probable attacks. This tool integrated a translator for tracking conversations in different languages and real-time email alerts for dark web activities.
- Give early reports of data leaks.
- Continuous dark net monitoring
- Guides on how compromised data may be misused
Webz.io
Webz.io is a complete dark web monitoring platform that gathers data across the surface, deep web, and the dark web. It provides both live and historical monitoring skills that make it preferable among cybersecurity companies and businesses. Here are the features it offers:
- Multi-Layered Web Coverage
- Provide structured data.
- Easily integrates with other security platforms
Have I Been Pawned
Have I Been Pwned is a dark web scanner. It detects data breaches by scanning known sites for compromised data. You can insert your email or phone number to determine if your data was compromised. Moreover, you can subscribe to a watchlist to be alerted of future data breaches.
Firefox Monitor
Firefox Monitor is Binge’s breach detection tool. It uses your email address to search the dark web for known breaches and notifies you if your data has also been compromised. Here are some features this dark web monitoring tool provides.
- Searches the data breaches.
- It will find your info if you are caught in the data breach.
- Guides you on how to avoid hackers, create strong passwords, and many more security tips.
FAQs
Q: What does it mean that your data is on the dark web?
If your data is on the dark web, it means that your identity, data, or asset is at risk. Your credentials and personal identifiers can be used for identity fraud or illicit access.
Q: What should I do if my information is on the dark web?
If you find out that your data is on the dark web, contact all sensitive data partners to start freezing your accounts and cards. It includes your bank account, credit card companies, and even the SSN administration. Moreover, change all your passwords!
Q: Who needs dark web monitoring services?
All firms that are accountable for protecting customer data, or that hold valuable intellectual property, or are a common target for hacktivists, nation-state actors, or criminal activity are good applicants for a dark web monitoring tool.
