The Dark Web: A Growing Menace that Demands Continuous Monitoring

Monitoring the Dark Web: An Essential Tool in the Fight Against Cybercrime

The Growing Threat of the Dark Web

In recent years, the Dark Web has emerged as a hotbed for cybercriminal activity. It has become synonymous with leaked credentials, a significant threat to online security. According to the Flare platform, over 12 billion leaked credentials have been counted in the past six years, highlighting the scale of the problem.

Cybercrime has diversified alongside the Dark Web, extending its reach beyond private communications platforms like I2P and Tor to include clear websites and Telegram channels. This rapid growth necessitates taking proactive measures to counter the evolving threat landscape. Monitoring the Dark Web is increasingly seen as a valuable tool for identifying potential risks and staying ahead of cybercriminals.

Threats to Watch For

There are several distinct threats that organizations should be vigilant about when monitoring the Dark Web.

Infostealer Malware

Infostealer malware, such as RedLine, Raccoon, Vidar, Titan, and Aurora, poses a significant risk in terms of data breaches and ransomware attacks. These malware variants infect computers and exfiltrate browser fingerprints, which contain saved passwords. The threat actors behind these attacks sell the stolen credentials on Dark Web marketplaces or Telegram channels.

These leaked credentials can then be used for account takeover attacks, cryptocurrency theft, or as initial access for ransomware attacks. Flare, a Threat Exposure Management SaaS solution, monitors and adds millions of infostealer logs each month, many of which contain access credentials to multiple corporate applications. It is estimated that between 2% and 4% of these logs contain access to corporate IT environments, highlighting the potential risk.

To detect malicious actors distributing infostealer logs, organizations can monitor for logs that contain internal corporate domain access, such as sso.companyname.com. This proactive approach can help identify compromised credentials and mitigate the associated risks.

Initial Access Brokers

Initial access brokers (IABs) are another threat that operates on the Dark Web. They establish initial access to companies and then resell this access on forums and auction platforms. The price for such access can range from $10,000 to $500,000, depending on various factors like the company’s size, industry, and level of access.

The IABs provide enough detail in their listings to potentially identify victim organizations without explicitly mentioning the company’s name. Monitoring IAB forums can provide early warnings that malicious actors have compromised devices and gained unauthorized access. IABs are also actively seeking out infostealer logs as a means to gain access to corporate IT infrastructure.

Ransomware Extortion and Data Breach Pages

Ransomware groups have evolved their tactics in recent years, becoming more decentralized and focusing on data exfiltration rather than just encryption. These groups often outsource the work of infecting companies to affiliates in exchange for a share of the ransom payment.

Additionally, ransomware groups have resorted to creating extortion and data breach blogs to publicly shame and extort victims. By threatening to leak sensitive data if the ransom is not paid, these groups exert immense pressure on organizations. The fear of legal and reputational consequences pushes many victims to pay the ransom, perpetuating the vicious cycle of cybercrime.

Proactively monitoring ransomware blogs, such as the one used by the LockBit group, can help organizations identify potential data exposure from third parties and initiate incident response procedures swiftly.

The Importance of Detecting Dark Web Threats

As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for organizations to have the capability to detect threats across the clear and Dark Web, as well as illicit Telegram channels. A comprehensive solution is needed that seamlessly integrates into existing security programs and provides advanced notice of potential high-risk exposure.

Organizations should seek to identify high-risk vectors that could enable threat actors to access their environments. Continuous monitoring for indicators such as infected devices, ransomware exposure, public GitHub secrets, and leaked credentials is essential in effectively combating cybercrime.

Flare, a Threat Exposure Management SaaS solution, offers organizations a way to detect Dark Web threats and provides the necessary tools to take proactive measures against cybercriminals. For those interested in learning more about using Flare, a free trial option is available.

About the Author

Eric Clay, the author of this article, possesses extensive experience in governance risk and compliance, security data analysis, and security research. As the Vice President of Marketing at Flare, a Threat Exposure Management SaaS solution, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, assisting organizations in their fight against cybercrime.

Keywords: Surveillance, Dark Web, Cybersecurity, Online Security, Internet, Monitoring, Threat Intelligence, Cybercrime, Data Privacy, Online Privacy