The Growing Threat of the Deep and Dark Web

The deep and dark web continues to provide a breeding ground for illicit activity. As cybercriminals, extremists, and data thieves become more sophisticated, these online underworlds have evolved into major hubs for bad actors and nefarious online behavior.

The dark web has grown to serve as a breeding ground for ransomware attacks, data breaches, and a variety of other malicious activities that can strike at the heart of any organization.

In August 2024, a cybercriminal group known as USDoD leaked a database on the dark web, offering it for sale at $3.5 million. The compromised data, originally gathered by National Public Data, includes sensitive details like names, addresses, Social Security Numbers, and information about siblings. A class-action lawsuit was filed against National Public Data in Florida, accusing them of failing to adequately protect the data and collecting information from non-public sources without consent.

This is just one of the many recent security incidents tied to activity on the dark web. The issue is no longer whether threats are lurking in these spaces, but rather how businesses can keep an eye on them in an ever-evolving landscape.

What Is the Dark Web?

Many people mistakenly believe that the dark web is a single, cohesive network, but this is inaccurate. It is a sprawling collection of decentralized platforms, each built with the intention of preserving anonymity and secrecy. These platforms are essential to understand if companies are to effectively monitor and mitigate potential threats.

• Tor (The Onion Router): The most widely recognized of dark web networks, Tor provides users with layers of encryption designed to conceal their online activity. This network serves as a key venue for cybercriminals to operate undetected.

• I2P (Invisible Internet Project): Though less well-known, I2P offers a similarly anonymous environment that’s often used for secure communication, particularly in covert operations or illicit dealings.

• ZeroNet: An alternative to traditional web hosting, ZeroNet uses peer-to-peer hosting technology, which further complicates monitoring efforts due to its decentralized nature.

What Is the Deep Web?

While the dark web tends to grab the headlines, the deep web encompasses a much broader and more general collection of online content that is not indexed by search engines. This content is not inherently dangerous, but it often includes areas where illicit activities take place.

• Paste sites like Pastebin or Ghostbin are often used to dump and share large datasets, including sensitive or stolen information.

• Encrypted messaging apps, including platforms like Telegram and Discord, have become favorites among criminals for their ability to facilitate communication in relative secrecy.

• Alternative social media platforms, such as Gab or BitChute, have carved out spaces for extremist groups and the spread of misinformation, far removed from the moderation standards of more mainstream platforms.

• Breach forums like Cracked and Nulled have emerged as key marketplaces for stolen credentials, malware, and hacking tools, further fueling the dark web ecosystem.

The Challenge of Accessing and Monitoring the Dark Web

For most businesses, monitoring the deep and dark web is a daunting task. First, internal network policies often block direct access to these areas, leaving security teams with limited insight into potential threats.

Even when access is available, security professionals may lack the specialized tools or expertise necessary to navigate these murky waters.

The sheer volume and unstructured nature of data on these platforms add another layer of complexity. Without the proper resources, businesses can easily miss critical indicators of a cyberattack, a data leak, or a vendor compromise.

Why an Enterprise OSINT Platform Is Essential

This is where an enterprise-level OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) collection platform like Signal becomes an indispensable asset. A robust OSINT solution gives security teams the ability to proactively monitor threats across the deep and dark web without exposing themselves to unnecessary risks. Here's how a comprehensive platform can support your organization:

• Secure, Compliant Access: OSINT platforms like Signal offer compliant, secure access to restricted content. This ensures that security teams can gather intelligence on potential threats without violating company policies or compromising internal network security. They can analyze dark web content without needing to actually access the dark web.

• Automated Data Collection: Instead of relying on manual searches and outdated methods, OSINT solutions automate the process of tracking emerging threats. This includes everything from detecting stolen credentials and tracking extremist threats, to identifying ransomware incidents in real time.

• Advanced Search and Filtering: With advanced tools for parsing and analyzing vast amounts of unstructured data, an OSINT platform enables analysts to cut through the noise. They can extract relevant intelligence with precision, helping them focus on the most immediate threats.

• The Rising Importance of Dark Web Monitoring

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated and frequent, simply relying on internal cybersecurity measures is no longer enough. Threat actors can infiltrate via third-party vendors, supply chains, or business partners. A breach in a vendor's system and subsequent dump on the Dark Web, for example, could put your organization at risk, but you might not even know until it’s too late.

Organizations can no longer afford to wait until after the fact to find out if their partners or suppliers have been compromised. As the business landscape becomes more interconnected, proactive intelligence is essential to understand where the vulnerabilities are—and whether your organization is at risk.

Conclusion

The deep and dark web continue to evolve and fuel a vast range of cybercrime and malicious activity. For businesses, this reality requires a shift in how threats are monitored. Relying on traditional methods to keep track of digital dangers is no longer sufficient. The need for comprehensive, proactive OSINT collection solutions is clear.

By incorporating tools like Signal into your security strategy, you gain the ability to navigate the shadows of the internet. It’s a necessity for any organization committed to staying one step ahead of emerging risks.

At Signal, we empower organizations to take control of their cyber defenses with OSINT solutions, enabling you to monitor and respond to dark web threats with speed, accuracy, and confidence.