You may be familiar with the term “the dark web” but its definition is sometimes unclear. The dark web is more often than not described as a dangerous aspect of the internet, causing the question ‘can the dark web be monitored’ to arise.
You may be familiar with the term “the dark web” but its definition is sometimes unclear. The dark web is more often than not described as a dangerous aspect of the internet, causing the question ‘can the dark web be monitored’ to arise .
In this blog we explain both what the dark web is, and how dark web monitoring is used to track the dark web.
What is the dark web?
The dark web is a decentralised network of internet sites that anonymises its users.
The dark web can’t be accessed through traditional search engines such as Google and Bing. Instead, the browser Tor is used. And it’s this anonymising browser that makes user IP addresses unidentifiable and untraceable.
Due to its user’s anonymity, this may make the question ‘can the dark web be monitored’ tricky to answer. But Team Metalogic does have a solution.
What is the dark web used for?
The dark web has a reputation of being used for solely illegal purposes. The existence of the dark web isn’t illegal, nor are all of the sites or users. Investigative journalists harmlessly use the dark web, and there are plenty of safe blogs and forums which exist there too.
However, much of the activity that takes place on the dark web is criminal. The dark web is often used for the sale of illegal firearms or drugs, or allow you to access child pornography.
The dark web offers extreme privacy and protection from surveillance. And because of this extreme anonymity, it is commonly a place to buy and sell important personal information.
This includes, but is not limited to addresses, credit card and passport details, passwords, medical records and phone numbers.
With this personal information, criminals are able to purchase items using your bank details, open new accounts, take out loans and much more.
Not only can these information breaches affect your personal life, they can also cause huge problems to businesses. Data breaches that can occur through the dark web can cause irreparable damage and the effects can be long-lasting.
These effects include the sharing of your business information, email addresses and logins to work accounts, and bank details, as well as personal customer information.
Although the dark web sounds alarming, there are measures that can be put into place to monitor it.
Can the dark web be monitored?
The dark web can be monitored through a process called dark web monitoring. Dark web monitoring scans the dark web for your personal information and notifies you if you’ve had an information breach. The dark web can’t ever be 100% securely tracked. But dark web monitoring and scans are the best methods to monitor the dark web.
How to monitor the dark web
The dark web is monitored using software provided by IT support providers. This software scans collections of stolen personal information, and alerts you if your information has been found in the dark web.
While dark web scans can’t track everything on the dark web, these scans are the best way to discover when your data was exposed and shared.
What is dark web monitoring?
Dark web scans search for identity information on a one-off basis. Dark web monitoring, however, is more of an ongoing process where scans continually take place.
Dark web monitoring helps you consistently monitor activity on the dark web, and better keep track of your personal information and security.
The type of information that dark web monitoring will scan for includes, but is not limited to:
- Email addresses and passwords
- Physical addresses
- Passport information
- Bank and credit card details
- Driver’s license
- Phone numbers
Once receiving notification of your information breach, you are then in control to increase your security.
If your information is found, we recommend changing your passwords as a minimum, but may also suggest notifying your bank, freezing all credit and debit cards, and monitoring your recent credit card statements.
How can Team Metalogic help with dark web monitoring?
At Team Metalogic, we have a commitment to dark web monitoring and reporting. We aim to always give you visibility into your business accounts that are in circulation on the dark web.
If you’re asking yourself ‘can the dark web be monitored?’, Team Metalogic says yes. We use industry-leading technology as part of our dark web monitoring service. This means we can trace dates, contacts and sources of a privacy breach.
Upon finding a security breach, we will then work to refine your cybersecurity strategy so you know you and your business are in safe hands.
Get in touch with Team Metalogic today to discuss how we can keep your data secure from breaches on the dark web.