Monitoring tools and services for the Dark Web can notify you of a breach in your personal data and give you time to take preventative measures like changing your passwords. The increasing amount of data that businesses store online makes them more vulnerable to cyberattacks. In order to monitor the dark web and determine whether any security breaches have revealed your personal information, you can set up a profile if you have a Google One membership.
Cyber defense costs rise in response to attacks, and that increase might be passed on to customers in the form of higher prices. Because of this, a growing number of companies are integrating dark web surveillance into their overall cybersecurity plans.
Dark Web Monitoring
Searching for and keeping track of data on the dark web is called “dark web monitoring.” It discovers stolen information, including credentials, passwords, intellectual property, and other private information that has been shared and sold by criminals using the dark web.
The dark web is a collection of anonymous websites that can only be accessed with the help of third-party programs. It is invisible to search engines and gives users the option to conceal their IP addresses for privacy or security reasons.
Features of Dark Web Monitoring
#1. Threat Intelligence
To help you avoid being hacked or mitigate the damage if you are, dark web monitoring tools create a map of the most useful parts of the dark web and identify the most crucial sources of threat intelligence. There is no need to hire a specialist to manually search for, aggregate, and analyze threat intelligence when you have a dark web monitoring tool to do it for you.
#2. Threat Hunting
A service that keeps tabs on the dark web can help you avoid fake hacking and other targeted attacks. The service will automatically begin investigating any suspicious activity on your system under the assumption that an adversary is responsible.
#3. Faster Incident Response
If you do not keep an eye on the dark web, you might not find out about a data breach for months. By keeping an eye on the dark web, you can quickly learn if and when your private data is compromised. In turn, this makes it harder for criminals to steal your private information and resell it.
#4. Platform-Security-Integration
Other security systems can use the information that a dark web monitoring platform collects. As a result, you can generate more reliable insights across the entire security stack.
How does Dark Web Monitoring Work?
Dark web traffic is tracked in real-time, and raw intelligence is continuously gathered through a series of searches. Millions of websites are scanned daily for various pieces of information, including email addresses for corporate employees and the names and industries in which those businesses operate.
When a risk is detected, users can create a custom alert to notify themselves and whoever else in the organization, such as the HR, legal, marketing, or fraud teams, needs to know about it.
Benefits of Dark Web Monitoring
#1. Prevent Data Breaches
Sometimes a company will suffer a data breach and have no idea it was compromised until it is too late. Companies can prevent widespread damage by using dark web monitoring services to quickly detect stolen data. Safeguarding your IT infrastructure, patching any security holes, and alerting affected parties can help mitigate the damage from data breaches.
#2. Constant Monitoring
To protect sensitive information and prevent hacking, businesses often use DWM services to monitor the dark web around the clock. It is constantly monitoring the dark web and can promptly notify you if any sensitive information has gotten into the wrong hands.
#3. Safeguards Interests
Keeping an eye on the dark web can help unearth sensitive information about customers, workers, and executives that has somehow made its way there. Knowing this could help businesses stop thieves from harming others with stolen information.
#4. Prevents Information Loss
Unfortunately, businesses do not always realize the severity of a data breach until it is too late. Monitoring services for the dark web can detect the theft of sensitive data immediately, limiting the company’s exposure to risk. If your IT infrastructure is secure, vulnerabilities are patched, and affected parties are informed, you can lessen the impact of a data breach.
Dark Web Monitoring Service
As part of their cybersecurity offerings, specialized companies provide a service to keep tabs on the dark web. The process entails searching the deep web for information about a specified business or employee. Information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and credit card numbers may fall into this category. If the service comes across any suspicious information, it will notify the user immediately.
Cybercrime and identity theft, premeditated assaults, publicly known vulnerabilities, and compromised data are all detected by dark web monitoring systems. You can protect your company from attacks using this material if you can locate it while it is still on the dark web.
A reliable dark web monitoring service must give you complete visibility into the underground network without requiring you to access it. This safeguards administrators from unnecessary risk or exposure to inappropriate material. The solutions should emphasize keywords that are significant to your business. You can then keep an eye on the developing threat and react accordingly.
Dark Web Monitoring Tools
Software designed specifically for keeping tabs on the dark web can help find threats to your business and provide insightful analysis and reports. Threat actors frequently use this area of the internet for illegal purposes, such as the purchase and sale of stolen personally identifiable information, because regular search engines do not crawl it.
Since no one wants to spend their time manually searching through every dark web source, monitoring software can make the process much simpler.
Even though monitoring tools for the dark web are legal, they do nothing to prevent your data from being shared on the dark web in the first place. Furthermore, they will not be able to stop anyone from using your stolen data. This is due to the lack of transparency, security, and customer service on the dark web.
#1. CrowdStrike Falcon X Recon
When it comes to cloud-based security, CrowdStrike is at the forefront of innovation because of the innovative threat intelligence and endpoint protection it offers. Falcon X Recon is CrowdStrike’s answer to scanning the three tiers of the internet for signs of intrusion, fraud, and the infrastructure and tools used by threat actors. This add-on works well with CrowdStrike’s other security solutions.
Falcon X Recon provides near-real-time access to stolen data and raw threat intelligence from multiple sources, such as the deep web, dark web, and underground networks. Businesses can use it to identify and stop supply chain fraud as well as the typical tactics employed by threat actors, such as data compromise, fraudulent activity, and executive impersonation.
Security teams can view the results of a search. Businesses can use it to identify and stop supply chain fraud as well as the typical tactics employed by threat actors, such as data compromise, fraudulent activity, and executive impersonation across historical and current data on cards that are easy to read and contain all pertinent contextual information. Teams can also use an adjustable dashboard and set up real-time alerts to be informed when new data is discovered to help with their investigation.
Pricing:
Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose between the Express and Enterprise versions of the Falcon X Recon. Express is designed for smaller businesses, while the more robust Enterprise plan is best for corporations. Falcon X Recon+ is a fully managed service that provides companies with a dedicated CrowdStrike expert, alert triage, mitigation recommendations, and a facilitated takedown service to help them remove malicious content such as phishing websites and fake social media profiles.
#2. The DarkOwl Vision UI
When it comes to monitoring dark web activity relevant to their business, the DarkOwl Vision UI makes it possible to do so in near real-time through the use of the company’s commercially available searchable darknet database.
Every day, tens of thousands of darknet websites contribute data to the DarkOwl database. These sites include chat rooms, forums, underground markets, and networks like Telegram, Tor, I2P, ZeroNet, and I2P. In order to make user searches easier, DarkOwl engines analyze the information they have collected using artificial intelligence (AI) and human labor. Users can refine their searches by filtering for specific variables, darknet sources, and queries, as well as 47 different languages. To be notified immediately upon any business data being posted to the dark web, users can set up “always-on” monitoring and alerts.
Security analysts, academics, and police departments all rely on the DarkOwl Vision UI because of how effective and simple it is for monitoring the dark web. However, there is no way to generate reports on this system. Medium and large businesses that want to search and monitor the darknet from multiple sources and have the manpower to invest in maintaining the product should consider adopting Vision UI.
Google Dark Web Monitoring
For US customers who subscribe to Google One, the company keeps an eye on the dark web. Instead, Google made the security monitoring available to all Gmail users for no additional cost at Google I/O.
It appears that the feature will only alert you to the possibility that your Gmail address—and not any other personal information, like your name, phone number, or physical address—may be exposed on the dark web. Paying for a Google One subscription will allow you to have more thorough dark web monitoring and have it checked to see if scammers may have access to your Social Security number. A one-time scan is all that non-subscribers receive; you can monitor more details and receive real-time alerts.
The dark web report security feature will soon be available to all Gmail users in the United States, allowing them to see if their email addresses have been posted on the dark web. Google advises Gmail users to check their email addresses on the dark web once they have enabled the feature. The Google One dark web report alerts you if your personally identifiable information (like name, address, email, phone number, and SSN) is discovered on the dark web.
Google One Dark Web Report
Subscribing users of Google One can activate the feature by going to their account settings and selecting “Set up > Start monitoring” next to “Dark web report.” If you no longer wish to have your profile monitored, you can do so in the profile’s settings for the dark web report or by deleting the profile entirely.
The Google One service Dark Web Report has the noble goal of preventing data breaches. Google announced this as one of two new security features for Google One in March 2023.
The ‘Dark Web Report’ tool, the newest addition to the Google One suite, allows users to search the dark web to see if their private information is being sold. Google claims that the service can look up the user’s name, address, phone number, email address, and Social Security number and get in touch with them if any of this data is discovered. In addition, Google will provide users with tips and tricks for keeping their data safe.
Users will be able to opt into receiving the Dark Web Report, but only after they actively enable the feature and give Google access to the data they want to track. The most recent update to Google One is fantastic, and it offers users a new layer of defense against the potentially devastating effects of a data breach.
Best Dark Web Monitoring
#1. Aura
Aura is among the most all-encompassing security options available today, with features like constant Dark Web scanning and nearly instantaneous fraud alerts. First, Aura is capable of monitoring more than just the deep web. In addition to monitoring credit and identity theft, their acclaimed service also maintains tabs on public records such as your vehicle and home titles, criminal histories, and the sex offender registry. Moreover, Aura keeps tabs on all of your money and investment accounts, such as your 401(k).
In addition, Aura includes comprehensive digital security tools like a virtual private network (VPN), password manager (password keeper), anti-virus software, and more. The Aura support team is based in the United States and is available around the clock, every day of the year. In case you ever become a victim of theft, you can rest assured that you will be cared for.
Finally, Aura includes many helpful tools that parents can use to keep their children safe while they are online. There are safeguards in place, such as a parental lock and chat monitoring for more than 200 games. Parental abuse, such as bullying, harassment, and grooming, is detected and reported.
Pricing:
- Individual plan: $9/month
- Couple: $17/month (covers 2 Adults)
- Family: $25/month (Covers 5 adults and unlimited kids)
#2. Identity Guard
Those who have their data published online can easily receive alerts about vulnerabilities from Identity Guard thanks to its affordable Value plan, which includes Dark Web monitoring. Identity Guard’s Dark Web monitoring is free of additional fees for features and security services, making it more affordable than some of the other providers on this list. Identity Guard’s Value plan provides full dark web monitoring for a low price, making it a good choice if that is all you care about.
Pricing:
Individual:
- $5/month Value Plan
- $11.99/month Total Plan
- $17.99/month Ultra Plan
Family: Covers 5 adults and unlimited kids
- $8.99/month Value Plan
- $17.99/month Total Plan
- $23.99/month Ultra Plan
#3. Identityforce
IdentityForce offers dark web monitoring with the same degree of precision as Aura and Identity Guard, and it also offers a fairly comprehensive set of additional monitoring services. This is an all-in-one solution that offers extensive tools for combating hackers and online threats in addition to monitoring the Dark Web. It is comparable to Aura and Identity Guard. In addition to keeping tabs on government documents and investment accounts, it also assists clients in restoring their identities after fraud has occurred.
IdentityForce provides some useful safeguards against Dark Web data leaks, but the full suite of protection it provides is more expensive than competing solutions. If you want to include kids, this becomes even more important.
It does not track home titles, but it does track a variety of other public documents. And it also includes checking in on your investment portfolio. IdentityForce provides a virtual private network (VPN), an identity vault, and a password manager, among other digital privacy tools.
Pricing:
Individual:
- $14.99/month UltraSecure
- $19.9/month UltraSecure+Credit
Family:
- $24.99/month UltraSecure
- $35.9/month UltraSecure+Credit
#4. Zander
Zander is an insurer that offers policies with a basic Dark Web monitoring feature. Compared to the other services on this list, this one is lacking in several key areas: investment account monitoring, criminal background checks, and so on. It is cheap and offers little in the way of protection against Dark Web dangers.
A $1 million theft insurance policy, round-the-clock customer support, and reimbursement for home title fraud are additional features of Zander. Its product is something to think about adding to an already-existing insurance plan. On the other hand, in comparison to other options at a comparable price, its capabilities are restricted. Unlike many of the other network security providers on this list, Zander does not have a dedicated incident response team.
Pricing:
Individual:
- $6.75/month ESSENTIAL
- $9.99/month ELITE CYBER
Family:
- $12.95/month ESSENTIAL
- $19.49/month ELITE CYBER
#5. IDX
A cybersecurity company offers IDX, a pricey but all-inclusive identity protection service. Dark Web monitoring is part of its comprehensive suite of services, and its identity recovery guarantee is unrivaled.
IDX is also a dependable firm that offers comprehensive data leak warnings. But considering the product’s high cost, the benefits might be difficult to argue with. Even though there are less expensive options for digital risk management, IDX is still something to think about if you are willing to justify the cost.
Pricing:
Individual:
- $9.95/month IDX Identity
- $12.95/month IDX Privacy
- $32.90/month IDX Complete
Family:
- $19.95/month IDX Identity
- $25.95/month IDX Privacy
- $64.99/month IDX Complete
What is Dark Web Monitoring?
Monitoring the dark web entails looking for and keeping tabs on any mention of your company that may appear there. A type of threat intelligence called “dark web monitoring” entails searching the Dark Web for your data.
Is the Dark Web Trackable?
The IP address of a user allows for detailed tracking and monitoring of all their online actions. The ‘Dark Web’ also employs intricate systems that hide a user’s true IP address, making it extremely challenging to trace a device’s online activity. Transacting over the dark web guarantees the highest level of security and privacy because users cannot be tracked. While it is feasible to maintain anonymity on the dark web, there are techniques for monitoring users.
What Is Illegal to View on the Dark Web?
Using the dark web is not illegal under any circumstances. On the other hand, using the dark web for illicit purposes can have legal repercussions.
Can Police Track You on the Dark Web?
To answer your question, the police can still find you if they want to on the dark web, but it will be very difficult. If you want to remain anonymous while surfing the dark web, the Tor browser is the way to go.
Can Google see the Dark Web?
Google Search and mainstream web browsers like Chrome and Safari are incompatible with the dark web. You should instead make use of specialized programs like Tor or I2P.
What does the Dark Web Look Like?
The dark web may superficially resemble the traditional internet, complete with browser-accessible websites and pages. These sites, however, may feature material and characteristics that are vastly distinct from those of the mainstream web.
Conclusion
It makes sense to monitor the dark web. Knowing what kind of private data can be found on the dark web can help you take precautions against potential harm. The Dark Web can be tracked and analyzed. Despite the dark web’s anonymity, law enforcement agencies have developed methods and resources to monitor and track illicit activity. It is crucial to use caution and adhere to the law because engaging in illicit activity on the dark web can have major legal repercussions.
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