The Internet is an ever-growing network of information and communication. It has enhanced and expedited many aspects of our lives and continues to flex new strengths and promises.
The Internet is also home to numerous caverns of fears and fakes. In particular, the Dark Web has gained infamy as a most offensive place, riddled with criminals.
As a business or organization, you’re especially prone to cyber-attacks. Companies must consider steps to protect themselves and Dark Web solutions that can proactively deflect cyber-attacks.
Dark Web, Deep Web, Surface Web: What’s What?
As with so many great and powerful inventions, the Internet can be a tool for good and bad. Our day-to-day interactions through cyberspace benefit and enhance us in immeasurable ways.
Most of these interactions exist in the realm of the Internet, commonly referred to as the Surface Web. The Surface Web is the Internet’s most readily accessible and navigable part. Although the most visited, the websites and search engines operating in this part of cyberspace represent only 5% of Internet websites in cyberspace.
A small percentage, statistically, this 5% makes up 99% of the websites most people visit. Think of sites like Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, or various news outlets as examples. These larger sites are safe and readily available to the general public.
One will find the Deep Web just beyond the safety of the Surface Web. The Deep Web represents almost all of the remaining 95%. With a vast network of support sites, IntraWeb networks, private servers, and databases, the Deep Web is not as accessible unless you know what you’re seeking.
Most Deep Web pages won’t appear in web browser search engines. For instance, you’ll access information and material on the Deep Web when larger sites redirect you. Or you may be given access to databases not found by search engines but used by academic sites.
You’ll also find the Dark Web within the confines of the Deep Web. The Dark Web contains encrypted content not indexed by conventional search engines. The majority of the activity on the Dark Web occurs anonymously.
How to Protect Your Business Against Dark Web Exploitation
Even if you never visit the Dark Web, you can still be affected by emerging threats to businesses and organizations. The Dark Web is, in essence, where scammers and hackers maliciously plan new attacks. Simply protecting against the next potential attack may not be enough. In this day and age, it’s necessary to be proactive.
Identity Theft Monitoring
When using ACID proactive cyber protection, you benefit from Dark Web monitoring to detect any signs of sensitive information about your organization that is being discussed or mentioned. Even the planning stages of a cyber attack can give away clues that AI tracking systems will detect and monitor.
By using proactive Dark Web solutions, a company can direct its protection toward certain vulnerabilities or potential hacking before they occur. By anticipating the next hack, a company gains the upper hand on cybercriminals.
Antivirus and Anti-Malware Protection
ACID’s detection system differs from other virus and malware blocking systems. Instead of just setting up a perimeter and keeping malicious software at bay, ACID identifies and monitors potential threats and provides real-time alerts with all available information about the planned attack to its targeted client, to enable preparing and implementing effective countermeasures that will thwart the attack or mitigate its harmful consequences. ACID thus works to keep threats from even reaching the perimeter.
Predict and Protect
ACID’s unique system, which uses AI algorithms and bots, constantly scans for threats and security issues targeting its client companies and organizations. They can thus proactively protect their business, sensitive data and other critical business information.
Accessing the Dark Web: What Should You Know?
If you want to dive deeply into uncharted waters, some safety precautions will help avoid detection and information theft, potentially leading to cybercrime.
- Don’t divulge or use any personal information or current emails or passwords. You’ll need to create an alias for safety on the Dark Web. Use new and disposable credentials, which you can deactivate or abandon if required.
- Use a prepaid, non-traceable credit card. Assume all transactions and payments will be scrutinized by scammers and malware looking to steal your identity or valuable personal information.
- Avoid downloading anything while on the Dark Web. The files are more than likely corrupt or will expose a weakness in a network or computer security inside.
- Set Java and ActiveX to be disabled while on the Dark Web. These software frameworks are often vulnerable to attacks from malware, which litter the Dark Web landscape.
- Dedicate a device as your Dark Web-specific computer and enable a Tor network browser on the device. The Tor browser allows users to surf the Dark Web without creating direct links to their activities, which helps protect identities.
- Activate, install, or use active monitoring systems to assess personal or financial information threats. More and more online security companies offer identity protection. These companies work to prevent malware or hackers from infiltrating your system and should be implemented when visiting the Dark Web.
Although serious threats are associated with using the Dark Web, there are also some legitimate reasons, mainly within the realms of anonymity. If one chooses to operate in this space, take all necessary precautions to avoid identity theft or access to your primary computing systems.
Is It Illegal to Visit the Dark Web?
Since there is a higher proclivity of illegal activities on the Dark Web, many people also assume gaining access to it is also unlawful. In truth, no, it’s not illegal to go there. Numerous legal entities regularly operate within the Dark Net.
Just because something isn’t illegal doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. For the less savvy surfers, there is a real chance you may become intertwined with an unlawful aspect of the Dark Web.
What Happens When You Visit Websites on the Dark Web?
Visiting sites on the Dark Web can be a similar experience to the Surface Net because users can access sites that look and act like many other websites. The main difference is the number of eyes watching and how they’re reacting to your actions.
Using Tor network browsers allows users to bounce to different nodes during their web surfing. These nodes are like mile markers or landmarks which are encrypted. The encryption helps to mask user identification and, in turn, helps to resist hacking and malware.
Threats on the Dark Web: How It Can Be Dangerous to Use?
Choosing to search through the Dark Web may offer access to normally hidden sites and information. It can also seriously put your personal information at risk. Some of the more likely threats are:
Malware
While a user is searching the Dark Web, hackers and various malware software constantly look to trace back leads to their real-world credentials. Once a user’s true identity is discovered, their personal identification and access to financial institutions become compromised.
Loss of money, identity theft, or even ransom attacks can all take place once privacy is breached. If passwords and PINs are exposed, a user may be forced to cancel all existing accounts and start over from scratch.
Government Monitoring
Since many government organizations have taken notice of the anonymity of the Dark Web, they have also established numerous tracking and monitoring devices to keep tabs on activities occurring on the Dark Web. By infiltrating certain illegal sites, law enforcement agencies obtained valuable intel about how illegal activities were managed on the Dark Web.
Since there is currently a greater anti-crime presence on the Dark Web, some users might be targeted or singled out simply because of their use of Tor-based sites. Curiosity can prove to be a danger to more than just cats.
Scams
Some individuals work hardest at creating new methods for stealing from others. Scams on the Internet aren’t new, but the ferocity of the scams on the Dark Web takes things to a new level. Users should be cautious and skeptical of any promises or opportunities while visiting the Dark Web.
Help reduce costs associated with cyber attacks and potential monetary losses stemming from cybercrime. Contact ACID’s team of professionals today to request a demo and see how they can enhance your level of security. ACID’s Dark Web solutions will help you keep criminals at bay.