The dark web is a host for all sorts of nefarious activity. It has been linked to terrorist groups, money laundering, sales of drugs and weapons, pornography, credit card fraud, assassination services, and other horrifying things. It’s easy to see why this dark corner of the Internet has garnered such a negative reputation over time.
What is the dark web?
The dark web is the deepest part of the Internet. The first layer is the clear web, in which information is readily available to the public. Secondly, there is the deep web, which requires users to log in before accessing content. Finally, the last (and shadiest) part is the dark web.
The dark web, at its core, is an overlay network that requires specific software to access it, much like how one can only see Google Maps with Internet access.
What’s unique about the dark web is that it uses non-standard communications protocols and is designed for user privacy, which means that there are no middlemen involved in transactions between its users.
Most notably, user identities are hidden, so they cannot be tracked through traditional means.
How data is being sold on the dark web
Many dark web marketplaces sell all sorts of personal data. One website called TheRealDeal even claimed it had hacked into several darknet users’ computers and mined their hard drives for potentially incriminating documents to publish on its marketplace.
Just how much data is for sale? What information is most sought after by cybercriminals? Here’s a small list of trends we’ve noticed:
- Fake IDs
- Stolen credit card numbers and bank accounts (some with PINs)
- Social media account logins (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Academic credentials (college diplomas)
- Stolen online identities
- Personal health records
How to prevent your data from making it on the dark web
Numerous cyber security firms specialize in dark web monitoring to ensure your data isn’t being traded online.
But this isn’t just for people who are worried about their dark web footprint — you can also use it to monitor employees in the workplace, especially those with access to company data. Dark web monitoring can help you keep track of any darknet activity that might be taking place during work hours.
Companies that offer dark web monitoring services use a search engine to crawl dark websites. Then, they gather stolen personal information and feed it back to you so you can check if your dark web footprint is growing.
Dark web monitoring solutions search the darknet for your name, email address, phone number, and other incriminating information that could be linked back to you. The software then sends you notifications if it has found anything related to your darknet activity.
Final thoughts
It can be challenging to keep up with all of your online activities on the dark web. But, while it can be a scary place, dark web monitoring can help you detect suspicious activities and find marketplaces where your information may be sold.
With cyber security firms using automatic dark web monitoring tools as part of their service, you can rest assured that your data will be protected from the threats of the dark web.
