It\u2019s no secret that the dark web is a dangerous place. While many organizations have beefed up their security programs in response to growing cyber threats, most are still behind the curve.<\/p>\n
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Is it worth your time to actively monitor the dark web and ensure your data stays out of the hands of cybercriminals? Absolutely. But if you\u2019re unfamiliar with the dark web and how it works, you may not know where to begin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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In this blog, we\u2019ll discuss the most pressing dark web risks and share the best ways to combat them effectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Some people believe that the dark web is nothing more than certain parts of the internet, but that would be misleading. The truth is that many use the terms \u201cdark web\u201d and \u201cdeep web\u201d interchangeably, but this is inaccurate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The \u201cvisible\u201d internet that most people know today only makes up about 10% of all websites. But below the surface layer, there are two more sectors \u2013 the deep web and the dark web.<\/p>\n
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The deep web, which sits below the surface of the internet, accounts for approximately 90% of all websites. There are all sorts of examples of deep web content<\/a> that aren\u2019t malicious, such as content behind paywalls or forums that require registration.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The dark web is specifically hidden for increased privacy. Thanks to new technology like encryption and anonymous browser software, nearly anyone can access the dark web if they\u2019re interested \u2013 making it a breeding ground for illegal activity. Cybercriminals take advantage of the increased privacy to engage in illegal drug trade, fraud and much more.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n If your organization holds a significant amount of valuable intellectual property or handles personal data, it is vulnerable to criminal dark web risks.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Many illegal products and services are sold on the dark web. For example, cybercriminals offer \u201cDDoS-for-hire\u201d services<\/a> to the highest bidder, allowing an individual or company to drive a company offline for their own personal or professional reasons.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Here are some items that are commonly sold on the dark web:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Drugs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Weapons<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Counterfeit money<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Credit card information<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Hacking services<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Forged documents<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The anonymity of the dark web poses unique geographical and technical challenges<\/a> for law enforcement.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to understand why companies are investing in cybersecurity. Some of the most powerful companies in the world have been hacked, including Sony Pictures in 2014<\/a> and Equifax in 2017<\/a>. In fact, a dark web destination recently exposed 1.3 million stolen credit cards, in what analysts are claiming is the largest credit card cache<\/a> uploaded to the dark web in history.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Organizations in every industry need to take precautions when it comes to dark web security. After all, this isn\u2019t just about personal data \u2013 losing intellectual property can easily put an organization out of business.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n What steps can you take to make sure your data is protected?\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n One way to combat dark web risks is to implement a strong password policy. Choosing a well-known password manager like True Key, Keeper or LastPass helps you create a unique and encrypted password for each site that you need access to, which can help protect your company\u2019s information against dark web security threats.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\nWhat Gets Sold On the Dark Web?<\/h2>\n
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How To Combat Dark Web Security Threats<\/h2>\n