There are three layers to the internet, and in general most people do not leave the “Surface Web”. This where you are now, reading this blog. It is where you will shop online and check Facebook or other social media channels, along with a whole host of other daily internet activities.
The next level is called the “Deep Web”, and it is easiest to think of this as a place where activities requiring passwords and security logins takes place – things like internet banking, admin access to access and amend websites, for example.
And then there is the “Dark Web”, which has a pretty bad reputation. You cannot access the Dark Web via Google or the usual search engines. The content of the Dark Web does not show up on them.
You need to use something called a Tor browser, as activity is untraceable. Transactions on the Dark Web are all made in bitcoin and the Dark Web is considered to be the playground of criminals as the opportunities for money laundering are significant.
Whilst some people on the Dark Web are not participating in illegal activities, there are a significant amount of people who are.
There are a lot of illegal things for sale on the Dark Web including:
Drugs
People, such as hired hitmen
Stolen credit card details
Stolen subscription logins and passwords (Netflix and social media accounts, for example)
Fake passports
PayPal account logins
Stolen government documents and classified information
Every time there is a data breach against a business, whether it is due to cyber-attack or failures in password management, any information that is stolen is normally put up for sale on the Dark Web.
It’s important for businesses to keep a track on what, if any, information of theirs is available illegally on the Dark Web. LP Networks can monitor activity on it associated with your business email domain name, which will alert you if any passwords become available for sale. Dark Web monitoring services - LP Networks - IT Specialists - LP Networks
Strong password management, and adding an extra layer of authentication wherever possible, such as 2FA or MFA How secure is your password? - LP Networks - IT Security - LP Networks are considered essential layers of security to protect you against your information ending up on the Dark Web.
Over recent years there has been a move away from advising people to change their passwords regularly, to instead using password vaults. Password vaults keep password and login details secure, contain a secure password generator, and also have an alert system in case of issues.
Accidently giving away your logins, credit card details or your banking details is unfortunately quite common. Cyber criminals pose, either online, in your emails or via text and phone as recognisable companies or organisations that you do business with. These attacks are often referred to as phishing attacks (link).
User Cyber Security Awareness training is another additional layer of protection businesses use to keep their data and systems safe.
LP Networks is your local B2B IT and Cyber Security solutions provider
Lee Pepper
LP Networks
3 Southwood Road,
London,
SE9 3QE
0800 970 8980
Comments