What Is The Dark Web?
You recently heard that businesses and individuals suffer tremendous losses when their information gets stolen and later found on the Dark Web. Can this happen to you, and is this a genuine threat you need to investigate further?
Is The Dark Web Fact or Fiction?
The online world is filled with tall tales, horror stories, fiction, and fantasies. But there is one area, not seen on the surface, lurking in the shadows, known as The Dark Web. Its very name has a sinister sound that instills deep fear and caution and brings great concern for IT service providers. Or is this just another internet prank being played on all of us?
Watch Our Latest Video and Decide is This Real or an Elaborate Hoax:
What is the Dark Web?
The Dark Web resides on the internet that does not get indexed by search engines. It is indeed a location that is part of the internet. It’s visibility to search engines is always hidden, and users are anonymous. To journey into the dark web, don’t expect your regular internet browser to work. You have to use an anonymizing browser known by hackers as TOR, short for The Onion Router, to access.
What is a Tor Browser?
According to CSO Online contributor Darren Guccione: “The Tor browser routes your web page requests through a series of proxy servers operated by thousands of volunteers around the globe, rendering your IP address unidentifiable and untraceable. Tor works like magic, but the result is an experience that’s like the dark web itself: unpredictable, unreliable and maddeningly slow.” – Source CSOOnline.com
What Takes Place on the Dark Web?
Primarily the dark web is a host of criminal activity. If you have access and a means to pay, you can buy usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. You have hacked bank accounts and software that lets you break into other people’s computers. But there are other areas of the dark web where individuals go to play chess and socialize online, such as the BlackBook, it’s the Facebook of Tor.
Where On The Internet is the Dark Web?
To answer that, you must first understand the internet is the backbone, and the Web is just one way of swapping information and data over the internet. Overall the internet has three sections.
- Surface Web – This section is where all web-based content gets found by search engines
- Deep Web – This section of the internet search engines will not find
- Dark Web – This section is not found in search engines, has anonymous users, using anonymizing software
Why Is This Important To Know?
Knowing the difference between the three internet web sections gives you a clear idea of planning and building proactive and reactive cybersecurity programs. By understanding the differences, you and your management team can determine the right course of action. You can either remediate an incident or identify information belonging to your organization if indeed it has been compromised and leaked.
How To Ensure Your Data Stays Off The Dark Web?
There’s only so much you can do by yourself to protect your company’s information. When you contact Compunet InfoTech, we have more direct ways to examine your data. Our Dark Web ID solution can quickly uncover compromised credentials that may show up on the dark web. It is another level of high-end data theft protection, keeping you and your information safe.
Contact Compunet InfoTech’s team of experts to assist with all your security needs. Click here or call (604) 986-8170 to get in touch with our representatives.
