The Dark Web has become synonymous with leaked credentials and employee password reuse, making it a significant threat to cybersecurity professionals. In fact, the Flare platform has reported over 12 billion leaked credentials in the past six years alone. As cybercrime continues to evolve, so does the Dark Web, with an expanding variety of criminal activities taking place within its depths. That’s why monitoring the Dark Web has become increasingly important in order to stay ahead of potential risks.
One of the most significant threats on the Dark Web is infostealer malware. Infostealers like RedLine, Raccoon, Vidar, Titan, and Aurora infect computers and steal browser fingerprints, which include saved passwords. These stolen credentials are then sold on Dark Web marketplaces or Telegram channels. Threat actors use these stolen credentials for account takeovers, stealing cryptocurrency, or as an entry point for ransomware attacks. Flare is currently monitoring more than 20 million infostealer logs and adding 1 million new logs each month. Alarming as this may sound, it is estimated that only 2% to 4% of these logs contain access to corporate IT environments. However, compromised credentials for even a small percentage of these environments could pose significant risks if exploited.
To detect malicious actors distributing these logs, companies can monitor for logs that contain access to internal corporate domains. This can help identify if any internal systems have been compromised and prevent further unauthorized access.
Another threat to watch out for on the Dark Web is initial access brokers (IABs). These individuals establish initial access to companies and then resell that access on Dark Web forums. The price for these listings can range from $10,000 to $500,000, depending on the company and level of access being offered. The listings usually include information such as the number of compromised devices, the victim company’s industry, the antivirus or endpoint detection and response platform being used, the company’s revenue, the number of employees, and the geographic location of the company. Threat actors can purchase this access to deploy ransomware, steal sensitive data, or access financial resources. By monitoring IAB forums, companies can gain early warning that their devices may have been compromised, allowing them to take immediate action.
Ransomware has also evolved on the Dark Web. Ransomware groups have become decentralized, with many groups providing the source code for ransomware and outsourcing the infecting process to affiliates. Instead of focusing solely on encrypting data, these groups are now using data theft and disclosure as tactics for extortion. They target individual employees or third parties associated with the victim organization, and ransomware extortion and data breach blogs are used to publicly shame and extort victims. This tactic has proven to be highly effective, as organizations fear the legal and reputational consequences of a data breach. As a result, many organizations end up paying the ransom, perpetuating the cycle of cybercrime. By actively monitoring these ransomware blogs, companies can detect any unauthorized data exposure and initiate incident response procedures promptly.
To effectively address the threats present on the Dark Web, organizations need to be able to detect potential risks across both clear and Dark Web channels, as well as illicit Telegram channels. A comprehensive solution should integrate seamlessly into existing security programs and provide advanced notice of high-risk exposure in a single platform. This includes identifying high-risk vectors that could allow threat actors to access corporate environments, continuously monitoring for infected devices, identifying ransomware exposure, and detecting leaked credentials or public GitHub secrets. Flare is one such solution that offers Threat Exposure Management as a Service (TEMS) to help organizations detect Dark Web threats and take proactive measures to protect their data and systems.
In conclusion, the Dark Web continues to pose significant risks to organizations, with leaked credentials, initial access brokers, and ransomware groups being the major threats. By monitoring the Dark Web for these risks, companies can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals and take proactive measures to safeguard their data and systems. It is essential for organizations to leverage advanced solutions like Flare’s TEMS to detect and address Dark Web threats effectively. With proper monitoring and proactive response, businesses can mitigate the potential damage caused by these threats and maintain a robust cybersecurity posture.