Dark Web Threat Intelligence Solutions
Table of Contents
The name "Dark Web" is apt as it perfectly describes a part of the internet that is invisible to the average internet user. The hidden websites on the dark web and the anonymity allow people to navigate and communicate surreptitiously; the result is a haven for illegal activities, including cybercrime. When a massive data breach occurs, the data is likely to end up on the dark web for sale and used in carrying out cyberattacks. Dark web threat intelligence solutions enable a company to detect dark web activity that could harm its business.
What is the Dark Web?
The internet is made up of three layers: The surface web, the deep web, and the dark web. Most people are familiar with the surface layer, which can be searched using common search engines, such as Google. However, the vast majority of information is held in the deep web, where items like email inboxes, research papers, and library databases are not indexed.
Which brings us to the dark web. This part of the internet holds a tiny amount of content. However, it is a place where resources are purposely hidden. The anonymous network Tor is commonly used to hide a dark web user's identity and location. Dark websites use the .onion suffix, and the Tor browser is used to access those sites. The dark web is used to anonymize and facilitate the sharing and selling of illegal and unethical content. However, it is also an outlet for people in countries that impose internet sanctions on journalists, political dissenters, and activists.
The Telegram messaging app is also used as an extension of the dark web.
In terms of cybercrime, the dark web provides a platform to facilitate cyberattacks, scams, and fraud.
How Do Cybercriminals Use the Dark Web?
The dark web is a place where cybercriminals can find the tools of their trade. Cybercriminals can use the dark web to purchase stolen data, gather information on attack methods and vulnerabilities, and acquire or subscribe to the tools necessary to carry out a cybercrime. The dark web has many areas that are utilized by cybercriminals, including the following:
Cybercrime Services
Cybercriminals no longer need to be software developers. Instead, anyone can buy or subscribe to hacking kits. These subscriptions will include all the necessary tools and support to conduct a cyberattack. For example, a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) subscriber may receive a hacking kit that contains guides, user manuals, ransomware, and encryption key management services, all needed for carrying out the attack and receiving the ransom. Cybersecurity Ventures found comprehensive business services for cybercriminals, including rentals and subscriptions to RaaS, 24/7 support, and user reviews. The researchers found RaaS kits for a wide range of prices, from as little as $100 to $84,000 for the sophisticated "Maze Ransomware kit".
Stolen Data
Data stolen in breaches usually ends up on the dark web for sale. Data stores provide buyers with intelligence and active data, such as login credentials and other sensitive information. Data leaks are massive. Around 7.6 million current AT&T subscribers and 65.4 million former AT&T account holders had their personal data leaked on the dark web. There has been a 429% increase in the number of corporate login details containing plaintext passwords exposed on the dark web. The data is used by cybercriminals to carry out follow-on attacks, like ransomware infection, and to gather intelligence to carry out targeted spear phishing attacks on companies that can lead to fraud and Business Email Compromise scams (BEC).
Forums
Communication is a vital cog in the cybercrime wheel. Dark web forums and other communication channels are used to share cybersecurity intelligence like zero-day vulnerabilities. Kaspersky found that over half of the posts (51%) on dark web forums and shadow Telegram channels discussed zero-day and one-day vulnerabilities. The communication channels were also used to buy and sell exploit kits, which helped cybercriminals attack these vulnerable systems and software.
Anonymity Services
Anonymity and obfuscation are essential tools for cybercriminals who wish to remain anonymous. Dark web marketplaces may specialise in supplying VPNs and encrypted communications.
Initial Access Brokers (IABs)
IABs have specialist knowledge in infiltrating networks, systems, or organizations. They also sell unauthorized access to other cybercriminals. They sell this knowledge and access on the dark web. IABs are believed to be behind a surge in ransomware attacks.
What Are Dark Web Threat Intelligence Solutions?
The dark web is filled with threats. Some of these threats are general, such as exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities or new RaaS kits. Others are targeted, as cybercriminals discuss and share information on company and employee targets. Companies need cybersecurity intelligence to counteract and prepare for these dark web threats.
Dark web intelligence solutions continuously scan the dark web, looking for indicators of compromise (IoCs) such as company login credentials or details about a company executive who has fallen under the watch of hackers. Dark web monitoring helps businesses detect exposed credentials, financial information, corporate data, and other security threats before they lead to fraud, cyberattacks, and financial and reputational harm.
Dark web intelligence solutions provide insights into :
- Data breaches and dumps of this data to dark web forums and chat rooms
- Accidental leaks that have been exploited and the data published to a dark website
- Brand misuse and targeting
- Executive impersonation
- Domain Spoofing
- Vulnerabilities and threats
Some advanced dark web threat intelligence solutions, like Sentinex, provide a single-pane-of-glass console to view the results of a scan. Reports can be generated to keep track of dark web intelligence. Alerts are sent out when a scan finds a match with monitored one variables like a domain or keywords/phrases.
The Four Pillars of Dark Web Threat Intelligence
Dark web threat intelligence is built upon four pillars:
Scan
Threat intelligence services are configured to scan for company data held within the dark web. These scans are automated and provide continuous monitoring of the dark web.
Notify
If company data or intelligence is being shared about a company, an alert is sent to key team members. Alerts are typically customisable to fit with business goals and cybersecurity focus.
Insights
Web threat intelligence should provide actionable insights, showing how cybercriminal activity can lead to cyber incidents. The insights should contain recommendations on effective security measures and policies.
Prevent
Ultimately, a dark web threat intelligence solution is designed to gather intelligence to prevent data breaches.
How Do Dark Web Threat Intelligence Solutions Work?
Dark web intelligence scanning tools enable administrators to configure specific searches. Some examples of data that can be scanned using these tools are:
- Company domains
- Employee login credentials
- Corporate credit and debit cards
- Tax IDs
- Bank accounts
- DBAs
- Personal data, including phone numbers, email addresses
- Customer passwords
- D&B numbers
- Other sensitive business information
The scanner will send an alert, such as an email or SMS text message, warning of a search match.
Web monitoring tools, like Sentinex, source threat intelligence from dark and deep web forums, breach dumps, hacker marketplaces, and underground data exchanges. The tools perform real-time, continuous scanning involving billions of data records, looking for your data to help keep your business safe.
Continuous monitoring provides real-time alerts whenever new exposures are detected. If an alert occurs, the company can mitigate the risk by resetting passwords, enabling MFA, or notifying the IT/security team. Alerts also help companies to identify gaps in security and risk areas and close the gaps.
Benefits of Monitoring the Dark Web
By continuously monitoring the dark web for evidence of data breaches and targeting of your company, you benefit in the following ways:
Threat Intelligence
The threat landscape is constantly evolving. New zero-day vulnerabilities and emerging tactics and techniques continue to appear. A positive cybersecurity posture relies on being aware of what you are up against. Dark web monitoring and threat intelligence provide the insights needed to develop an effective cybersecurity strategy and implement appropriate, robust security measures.
Early Warning System
Scanning and monitoring the dark web for evidence of incoming attacks gives your team fair warning. This early warning system gives them time to prepare for an attack and close off identified gaps in security.
Faster Incident Response
Continuous web monitoring and threat intelligence enable your team to respond quickly. By swiftly containing incidents, you are more likely to reduce the overall cost of an incident and mitigate any brand backlash from customers.
Protects the Company's Reputation
Data breaches involving customer data often lead to increased phishing attacks and scams targeting those customers. The result is that the company's reputation can be damaged, and customers may leave, never to return. The dark web forums can provide clues about which companies are being targeted, which vulnerabilities are being exploited, and whether unauthorized access can be gained via stolen login credentials and the advice of an IAB. Knowing the plans of cybercriminals gives a company the intelligence needed to protect its brand.
Helps Adhere to Regulations
Demonstrating the use of dark web threat intelligence shows a commitment to data security and privacy. Companies that use these web monitoring services can generate reports to demonstrate compliance and to prove they have a robust approach to data security. Adherence to regulations and standards such as SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS is helped by applying the capabilities of dark web monitoring.
Maintains a Competitive Edge by Protecting IP
Continuous monitoring of dark web forums and marketplaces can identify potential threats to a company's intellectual property (IP). Protection of IP is essential in keeping a business competitive and innovative. If IP threats are found, the IP can be further protected. Stolen IP can potentially be used to trace and identify the perpetrators.
Conclusion
The dark web is where stolen data is usually found. Your intellectual property (IP), company secrets, and customer data are bought and sold on dark web marketplaces. The data and IP form intelligence packages that are used to identify and target your company and employees. Cybercriminals use this data for follow-on attacks that often result in ransomware infections, larger data breaches, Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams, and other malicious activities. Dark web threat intelligence provides your company with a way to redress the balance by offering in-depth insights into the dark web. You can use these solutions to identify your data and shut down cyber threats before they become a cyber incident.
FAQs
How do dark web threat intelligence solutions help prevent a cyberattack?
The old saying "know your enemy" describes why threat intelligence and web monitoring are important in preventing a cyberattack. Dark web threat intelligence delves into the dark web, continuously monitoring events and discussions, alert to stolen data and proprietary information that has emanated from your organization. Alerts are sent if data, such as login credentials, is identified, warning your team of an imminent unauthorized access, allowing you to change access rights. Dark web monitoring also identifies threats from zero-day vulnerabilities and other attack vectors, allowing your company to protect itself from these threats.
What happens to login credentials for sale on the dark web?
Credentials end up on the dark web through many routes, including phishing, infostealer malware, Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks, and data breaches. Stolen login credentials are aggregated and compiled into lists, then sold on dark web marketplaces. Cybercriminals purchase these lists and use them for credential stuffing attacks - an automated process that tests credentials against multiple online applications and services. Cybercriminals also use stolen passwords to gain unauthorized access to networks and carry out attacks, such as ransomware infections.
Can the Dark Web be used for good?
Yes, the dark web has some positive uses. Journalists and activists in countries that have sanctioned internet use can remain anonymous while communicating and sharing information using the dark web. The UK national broadcaster, the BBC, uses an Onion site to provide access to content in countries with strict online censorship.