Dark web is that part of the internet which hasn't been indexed by the search engines.
You may have heard of ‘dark web’ being a hotspot for all illegal activities…
Well, it’s true!
In fact, two researchers, Daniel Moore and Thomas Rid of King's College in London studied 2,723 dark websites for five weeks only to find out that 57 percent of them host illegal material.
Most of this illicit material contains your personal information, your social security number, your company's details, your credit card number and more.
But the worst part is that anyone can buy all your personal and financial details off the dark web!
You can buy a hacked Netflix account or a software that will help you hack another PC.
You name it and it’s all there – from buying credentials to a $50,000 bank account for just $500 or paying only $6 for a Netflix lifetime premium account.
This is why it’s so dangerous!
Interested in a FREE Scan and Consultation?
Contact Xperteks® Today!
Common Scenarios and Information Sold on the Dark Web
No doubt, data breaches are quite common today.
But until your identity or bank's credentials are stolen and misused, you’ll never know that your personal information is in the wrong hands.
No prizes for guessing that a regular Google search is not going to reveal the illegal websites on the dark web.
This is because the USP of the dark web is that the identity of the host and user are hidden and encrypted.
The chances of an individual to trace their personal information in such a marketplace are null.
That said, there are a few signs that can help you detect data breach.
Dark Web Monitoring
Our Dark Web ID Credential Monitoring detects compromised credentials in real-time on the Dark Web and notifies you immediately when these critical assets are compromised, before they can be used for identity theft, data breaches, or other crime.
Our Dark Web ID Credential Monitoring detects compromised credentials in real-time on the Dark Web.
7 Ways Your Information can be Compromised
1. Database Dumps
Most people are hacked in one way or the other.
There’s plenty of stolen information in database dumps from all over the internet.
Whether it’s from a healthcare organization, financial institution or dating websites.
These database dumps are being sold on the dark web.
2. Doxing or Doxxing
Doxing, also spelled as Doxxing refers to the practice of researching and broadcasting confidential information about an individual or an organization online.
This is often done with the intention of using the information illegally.
3. Fraudulent IDs
Fake IDs – this is what you’ll find in abundance on the dark web.
It is home to all kinds of fake IDs, from driver's license to a passport.
Hence, it becomes easy to use someone else's details without their knowledge.
This is what identity theft is all about.
4. Fake Payment Cards
Your credit/debit cards are always at a risk due to carding, skimming and other techniques.
So, once these details are copied, it can be easily sold on the dark web.
This information is used until the bank or the owner of the account notices suspicious activity.
5. Fraudulent Accounts
When felons have your personal information and your ID, it’s the easiest way for them to open other accounts in your name like loans, credit cards or agreements for rent.
In fact, there are a number of guides that are available on the dark web that they follow.
6. Disgruntled Employees
Many organizations across the world are grappling with the fact that their own employees can be a source of leaking confidential information.
Unfortunate as it may sound, it’s true!
Gartner, a global and research advisory firm says, “Insider threat is alive and well on the dark web.”
7. Source Code Dumps
Another favorite activity of disgruntled ex-programmers, or successful hackers looking to make some good money or prove a point is dumping proprietary source code on the dark web.
How to Detect if Your Data Has Been Compromised?
If the information is too sensitive then it can be worth millions of dollars.
Always make sure the access to such critical information is limited to a few employees and goes through tons of security.
Another thing that you can do is contact Xperteks®.
They offer a FREE scan and consultation as part of their managed IT services.
Their expert solutionists will be able to guide you and tell you what’s compromised and what’s safe.
Call them at 212.206.6262 today.
In the meantime, there are a few things that you can do to avoid fraud.
5 To Dos to Avoid Fraud
- Always check what you’re agreeing to when signing up for a new service, and untick any boxes giving permission for your data to be sold to third parties.
- Create strong passwords (include symbols, upper and lower case letters, numbers) that are different for each account and don’t store them all in one place (such as on your phone).
- Never respond to unsolicited emails or phone calls or click on unknown links, and always report suspected fraud to your bank or card issuer.
- Limit the amount of information available on your public social media profiles, including date of birth and address (Facebook has comprehensive security settings that allow you to tailor what strangers can see).
- Encrypt hard drives that contain personal information. You can easily do this for free on Windows PCs and Macs.
If you are looking for a managed service provider in Hoboken, then contact Xperteks® for their excellent services.
They have been in the line of business for over 20 years.
You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates on dark web and how to stay safe.