The cost of dark web monitoring and surveillance can vary greatly based on several factors, such as the scope of the service, the size of the business, volume pricing and the level of customer support required. The prices for Dark Web monitoring services could range anywhere from $10 per month for basic individual packages, up to several thousand dollars per month for comprehensive enterprise-grade solutions.
These best dark web protection plans services usually include continuous surveillance of dark web forums and marketplaces, alerts for when sensitive corporate or customer information appears on the dark web, and guidance on next steps if a breach is detected.
Here is a rough estimation of Dark Web monitoring pricing based on features:
- Basic Monitoring Services: These services often include monitoring of Personal Identifiable Information (PII), financial data, and account credentials. They typically offer alerts when such data is detected on the dark web. These services might cost around $10-$50 per month for individuals.
- Advanced Monitoring Services: These services include everything in the basic package, plus monitoring of corporate data, health records, and other sensitive information. They may also include more comprehensive alert and response features. Pricing for businesses can start from a few hundred dollars per month and go into the thousands, depending on the size of the organization and the scope of monitoring required.
- Brand Monitoring: This premium feature involves monitoring for brand-related threats on the dark web, such as counterfeit goods, brand defamation, phishing kits, and stolen corporate information. The cost of this service is often custom quoted based on the specific needs of the business.
- Integrated Services: Some providers offer integrated services that combine dark web monitoring with other cybersecurity services, like threat intelligence, incident response, and more. These packages can cost thousands of dollars per month, depending on the scale and complexity of the services provided.
Types of Sensitive Information Leaked on the Dark Web
The dark web can be a hotbed of illicit activities, including the sale and exchange of various types of leaked information like internal communications, customer databases, intellectual property, trade secrets, etc. From a dark web monitoring pricing perspective, it’s crucial to understand the types of data that might be leaked and sold on the dark web. Each of these categories represents data that is highly sensitive and valuable, both to the individual it pertains to and potentially to cybercriminals. That’s why it’s crucial to consider dark web monitoring as part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.
| Type of Information leaked on Dark Web | Examples |
|---|---|
| Personal Identifiable Information (PII) | Full names, home addresses, email addresses, social security numbers, passport numbers, driver’s license numbers, telephone numbers |
| Financial Information | Credit card details, bank account numbers, online banking credentials |
| Corporate Information | Intellectual property, trade secrets, internal communications, sensitive customer data |
| Account Credentials | Usernames and passwords for email accounts, social media profiles, and other online services |
| Health Information | Medical history, insurance information, social security numbers |
| Identity Documents | Passports, driver’s licenses, social security numbers |
| Account Logins | Email, social media, or corporate account usernames and passwords |
| Medical Records | Patient’s full name, address, social security number, medical history, and insurance details |
| Certifications | Professional or academic certifications and degrees |
| Credit Card Information | Card number, cardholder’s name, expiration date, CVV security code |
Personal Identifiable Information (PII)
PII includes any data that could potentially identify a specific individual. It often includes information such as full names, home addresses, email addresses, social security numbers, passport numbers, driver’s license numbers, telephone numbers, and other similar identifiers. Cybercriminals often target PII because it can be used for various nefarious activities, such as identity theft, fraud, or even more targeted attacks such as spear-phishing.
Financial Information
Financial information, like credit card details, bank account numbers, or online banking credentials, is highly sought after on the dark web. This information can be used to conduct unauthorized transactions, create fraudulent accounts, or sell to other criminals. In some cases, entire databases of financial information are sold en masse, affecting thousands of individuals or more.
Corporate Information
Corporate information can range from intellectual property and trade secrets to internal communications and sensitive customer data. The sale of such information can lead to severe financial losses and reputational damage for companies. Furthermore, this kind of data can also be used for corporate espionage, where competitors gain an unfair advantage through the use of stolen information.
Account Credentials
Stolen account credentials, such as usernames and passwords for email accounts, social media profiles, and other online services, are frequently traded on the dark web. Once a criminal gains access to an account, they can carry out a variety of malicious activities, from spreading malware to stealing more personal information or conducting harassment or fraud.
Health Information
Healthcare records contain sensitive data, including medical history, insurance information, social security numbers, and more. Such records are often targeted due to their high value; healthcare data can be used for identity theft, insurance fraud, and even blackmail in some instances.
Credit Card Information
This category can include full card details, such as the card number, the cardholder’s name, the expiration date, and the CVV security code. Stolen credit card information is often used for fraudulent purchases, identity theft, or even sold to other cybercriminals on the dark web. In some instances, credit card information is bundled with other personal information to create what’s known as “fullz.” These comprehensive identity packets are more valuable because they allow for more extensive and varied fraudulent activities.
Identity Documents
Fraudulently obtained or duplicated identity documents such as passports, driver’s licenses, and social security numbers are a big business on the dark web. These documents can be used for a multitude of criminal activities, including identity theft, money laundering, illegal immigration, or even terrorist activities.
Account Logins
As mentioned earlier, account logins for various platforms (like email, social media, or corporate accounts) are frequently traded on the dark web. These stolen credentials can be used to gain unauthorized access to services, steal sensitive data, commit fraud, or launch further attacks.
Medical Records
Medical records are particularly prized in the darker corners of the internet because they contain a wealth of sensitive personal and health-related information. This can include a patient’s full name, address, social security number, medical history, and insurance details. Stolen medical records can be used for various forms of fraud, identity theft, or even blackmail.
Certifications
Professional or academic certifications and degrees can also be found on the dark web. These are often used to bolster fake identities or to fraudulently gain employment or access to restricted areas or information.
