While the Dark Web can be dangerous for the personal information of unaware users, it is merely a part of the broader Internet. Therefore, it is possible to protect yourself against these dangers. Let’s explore what the Dark Web is and the actual threats it can pose to a company’s sensitive information.

What is the Dark Web?

The Dark Web is a part of the Internet that contains pages not indexed by traditional search engines like Google. It’s estimated that about 5% of the Internet’s content resides on the Dark Web. This leaves a large submerged and less known part. These unlisted pages can anonymously present all sorts of content, both legal and illegal. Since traditional browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari do not index the Dark Web, it is not accessible through them. To access it, you need to download a specialized browser, the most well-known being Tor (short for The Onion Router), which offers a high level of data encryption.

In reality, the mode of data transmission on the Dark Web differs significantly from that of the traditional Internet. On the conventional Internet, data transmission rules ensure security and traceability, such as through secure sites that use HTTPS. However, this is not the case on the Dark Web. During every step of exploration on the Dark Web, users are protected by layers of anonymity. This phenomenon allows for the anonymous exchange of all kinds of information, facilitating the trade of both legal and illegal substances, as well as dubious or even criminal activities. In short, the Dark Web is a part of the Internet where it is easier to hide your location, identity, and activity.

What dangers can the Dark Web present?

The Dark Web can pose a danger to the security of your confidential data, as it hosts a thriving market for buying and selling stolen information. This includes:

• Bank data (such as online banking passwords and credit card numbers)
• Personal data (such as addresses, phone numbers, or social security numbers)
• Login credentials for websites, social networks, and online services
• Confidential business information

Without adequate protection while browsing, you risk exposing your information and becoming a victim of fraud, ransomware, or hacking. Cybercriminals have the skills and tools to detect and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems to their advantage. However, there are measures you can take to prevent your data from being compromised by intrusions or other forms of online crime.

Cybersecurity to counter some Dark Web risks

To protect against these threats, it is crucial to remain vigilant about the security of your sensitive data. Cybersecurity solutions provide continuous monitoring of your computer systems, constantly on the lookout for any anomalies. Unusual connections or access from unknown locations are situations that can be identified and quickly managed.

Additionally, using protection software is essential. These tools block malware that could corrupt your files or block access to them. They also enable you to encrypt your information ensuring the confidentiality of your exchanges. Furthermore, they can restrict your employees’ access to unsecured sites or those with expired certificates, thereby strengthening your network’s overall security.

The expertise of an IT security company

To protect your sensitive information from various threats, the first step is to ensure that your protection systems, such as your firewall and antivirus, are up-to-date and fully functional. On a company scale, this work can be entrusted to a cybersecurity company, which offers several advantages.

Firstly, it ensures optimal and continuous protection of your IT infrastructure. Monitoring systems can be implemented to detect abnormal activities within the computer network. By utilizing advanced threat detection technologies, cybersecurity teams can take necessary actions as soon as suspicious activity is identified. For instance, by managing access to the company’s systems and data, IT security professionals can effectively block intrusions.

To ensure a high level of security for all incoming and outgoing communications in the company, it is essential to integrate a data encryption solution. Data encryption makes sent or received messages unreadable to anyone without the decryption key, thus protecting confidential information such as customer and staff data, as well as the company’s financial data. Cybersecurity services can also include a Dark Web trend analysis cell. The information gathered through this analysis helps in staying vigilant against potential attacks by improving or modifying existing protection systems. If an attack is already underway, cybersecurity professionals can act quickly to limit damage—such as infections, fraud, or data theft—by isolating part of the system. After an attack, their support is invaluable for analyzing what happened, drawing conclusions, and determining necessary improvements to the protection system. Finally, IT security specialists can also offer training to employees, helping them prevent incidents and thereby contributing to the overall protection of the company’s data.

Hacker services on the Dark Web

It’s important to note that the Dark Web hosts a variety of services offered by hackers, such as:

• HaaS (Hacker as a Service): renting hacking services
  • Website hacking
  • DDoS (Denial of Service attack)
  • Social media account hacking
  • Custom malware
  • Grade modification
  • Personal attacks
  • Location tracking
  • Computer and phone hacking
  • Email hacking
  • Debts or credits

Hackers also rent out hacking, allowing other cybercriminals to access advanced techniques without having to develop them themselves. This practice simplifies the execution of attacks for less experienced individuals, thereby expanding the range of threats. These tools are available for rent over flexible periods, tailored to clients’ specific needs, whether short-term or long-term.

Prices on the Dark Web

Prices for services and data on the Dark Web vary widely. According to Privacy Affairs, the price indices practised by cybercriminals in 2022 were revealed for the second consecutive year:

• Credit card details: between 10 and 120 dollars
  • Cloned American Express with PIN code: 25 dollars
  • Visa or Mastercard: 20 dollars
• Hacked accounts:
  • Facebook: 45 dollars
  • Instagram: 40 dollars
  • Gmail: 65 dollars
  • Twitter: 25 dollars
  • Netflix: 25 dollars
• Fake passports: 3,800 dollars
  • Maltese passport: 6,500 dollars
  • European ID card: 160 dollars
  • Photo of a passport or ID card: between 2 and 5 euros
• Lot of 10 million American email addresses: 120 dollars
• Cloned credit card in Europe: between 25 and 70 dollars
• Bank account access: between 100 and 3,000 dollars, depending on the accessible amount
• VPN access: up to 5,000 dollars for administrator access to a corporate network

Cybercrime rating systems

Cybercrime rating systems assess the reputation and credibility of hackers and their services. These ratings assist buyers in selecting reliable and high-quality providers, thereby enhancing trust during illicit transactions. Criteria for ratings typically include service quality, delivery speed, and discretion level.

Cybersecurity professionals, your allies in protecting your data

By identifying vulnerabilities in your IT system, cybersecurity experts from a reputable company can protect you with customized solutions. They can handle updates to your IT protection systems, provide guidance on enhancing data security, and leverage their expertise to train your employees in cybersecurity practices. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them for further information and support.