Welcome to the uncharted territories of the internet, where the mysterious dark web resides. Before navigating the security concerns surrounding it, let’s demystify this enigmatic space. What exactly is the dark web? How does it operate in the shadows? And most importantly, what secrets lie within its encrypted depths?
What Is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a part of the Internet hidden from public view and accessible only through specialized tools. The key distinction between the dark web and the regular web lies in its purportedly more security-oriented architecture, though this aspect is subject to debate, influenced by factors such as end nodes and their controllers.
Given its security emphasis, accessing the dark web requires a specific tool, with TOR, also known as the Onion Router, serving as the designated key to explore its depths.
What Is TOR?
As mentioned before, TOR is a tool used to anonymize users’ interaction with the ‘open internet’. Messages sent through TOR don’t go directly to their recipient. Instead, messages go through different nodes. At each node, a layer of encryption is removed, and the message is then sent on to the next.
Each node knows the identity of the previous node and the one that comes next but does not know the others in the chain. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to track a message’s entire journey or to work out where it started and who sent it.
Why Do People Use the Dark Web?
People use the dark web for several reasons: anonymization, hidden services, and engaging in illegal activities.
1. Anonymization:
Certain individuals find the need to safeguard their identity, and the reasons for this can vary. In essence, they feel the necessity to protect their identity due to prevalent dangers in their country or censorship preventing their voices from being heard.
2. Hidden Services:
Hidden services are usually inaccessible through the standard open internet. These services make significant efforts to remain anonymous, which includes concealing their IP addresses.
3. Illegal Activity:
Regrettably, individuals exploit the dark web for the illicit trade of substances, weapons, counterfeit money, and various other illegal activities.
Cyber Security and Dark Web
At this point, we have gained a much clearer understanding of what the dark web is and how it operates. We’ve even had a brief introduction to the potential uses of the dark web. With that said, cyber security and the dark web are interconnected in various ways.
Things we can find on the Dark Web are as mentioned above:
- Drugs
- Credit Cards
- Weapons
- Counterfeit money
- Data Breaches
With that in mind, we arrive at the question: How can we protect ourselves?
Safeguarding Our Cyber World
In the current digital environment, cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving and becoming increasingly sophisticated. As individuals and business owners, we must take proactive steps to safeguard ourselves from these threats.
One effective approach to staying ahead of potential cybersecurity breaches is by monitoring the dark web.
Use a reliable dark web monitoring service to proactively identify and mitigate cybersecurity threats to your business. These services specialize in monitoring and infiltrating hubs of cybercriminal activity, such as illicit marketplaces and forums frequented by cybercriminals.
They keep a watchful eye out for any stolen data or information related to your organization or employees.
Additionally, they keep tabs on dump sites like Pastebin, where anonymous individuals can post a wide array of sensitive information, including stolen confidential documents, emails, databases, and other critical data.
Consider using the following dark web monitoring services:
- LastPass.
- Usecure.
- Flashpoint Intelligence Platform.
- Progress WhatsUp Gold.
- Flashpoint Physical Security Intelligence (formerly Echosec)
- Argos™ Threat Intelligence Platform.
- InsecureWeb
- Dark Web ID
Conclusion
In conclusion, protecting ourselves from the ever-present dangers of the dark web requires proactive measures. Utilizing a reliable dark web monitoring service is an essential component of any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.
By staying vigilant and taking advantage of advanced technologies available today, we can safeguard our businesses against cyber threats and ensure a secure digital environment for all stakeholders involved.
About Author
Luka Bojovic is an aspiring Junior Offensive Security Engineer, focused on maximizing clients’ data security. Constantly perfecting his penetration testing expertise and other business skills – from programming languages to networking – he’s always on the lookout for the newest industry trends, updates, and innovations.