What is Dark Web Monitoring?
What We Monitor:
• Compromised Credentials: Leaked usernames and passwords from data breaches and combo lists
• Session Tokens: Active authentication tokens that bypass Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Infected Devices: Infostealer malware infections exposing corporate data through infostealer channels
• Third-Party Breaches: Vendor breaches affecting your data through supply chain compromises
• Threat Actor Chatter: Discussions on dark web forums about your organization
Why It Matters:
By detecting these signals early, you can reset passwords and terminate sessions before attackers exploit the data. Dark web monitoring serves as an early warning system for your security team.

Real-Time Breach Detection and Prevention
Easy Integration with Your Security Stack
Instant Alerts for Rapid Response
Trusted by Fortune 500 Enterprises, MSSPs, and Security Teams Worldwide
Our team uses Breachsense data to gain initial access during pen testing and red team engagements. The API is simple to use and the support is always helpful and responds quickly.
Our Security Colony platform relies on Breachsense data as part of our dark web monitoring service. The data is continuously updated and high quality. Highly recommend!
We rely on Breachsense for a lot of data. Their frequent database updates, constant availability, and handling of big and small breaches alike means we are always covered.
Essential Dark Web Monitoring Resources
Explore our most popular guides and tools to protect your organization
Dark Web Search Engines
Our #1 most-read guide. Learn how dark web search engines work and how cybersecurity professionals use them to find leaked data.
Learn MoreFree Dark Web Exposure Scan
Check if your organization’s credentials have been compromised. Get instant results from our database of billions of leaked records.
Learn MoreDark Web Monitoring Guide
Complete guide to implementing dark web monitoring for your organization, including best practices and integration strategies.
Learn MoreIs Dark Web Monitoring Worth It?
Cost-benefit analysis of dark web monitoring services. Learn why early detection saves millions compared to breach response costs.
Learn MoreDark Web API
Automate threat detection by integrating our API into your security stack. Real-time alerts when your data appears on the dark web.
Learn MoreCompromised Credential Monitoring
86% of breaches involve stolen credentials. Learn how to detect and reset compromised passwords before attackers exploit them.
Learn MoreDark Web Monitoring Tools
Compare the best dark web monitoring tools and platforms. Features, pricing, and implementation guidance for security teams.
Learn MoreDark Web Markets
Understand where stolen data is bought and sold. Learn about the criminal marketplaces that drive cybercrime economics.
Learn MoreDark Web Identity Theft
How cybercriminals use stolen credentials for identity theft and account takeovers. Prevention strategies and detection methods.
Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Dark web monitoring scans criminal marketplaces and leak sites where cybercriminals trade stolen data. It detects compromised credentials and security threats related to your organization, sending alerts when your data appears.
Do You Need It? Yes, if you want to prevent cyber threats. Billions of credentials are available on the dark web and stolen information often ends up for sale on dark web marketplaces. Dark web monitoring helps you detect these risks early. This lets you reset leaked passwords before cybercriminals exploit your data.
Dark web monitoring for business helps protect your company data by alerting you when sensitive information appears on the dark web. Early detection lets you take action like changing passwords. This reduces the risk of identity theft and financial fraud. By protecting customer data, businesses improve their reputation and avoid compliance penalties. Dark web monitoring acts as an early warning system against cyber attacks, helping you prevent them before they happen.
Yes. Dark web monitoring is worth it for any organization handling sensitive data. According to IBM’s 2025 Cost of Data Breach Report, the average breach costs $4.44 million and takes 241 days to identify and contain. Early detection through dark web monitoring is far less expensive than breach response.
Every day cybercriminals trade stolen credentials and sensitive data on dark web marketplaces. This puts organizations at risk of financial loss. Dark web monitoring services help detect exposed data early so you can respond quickly with password resets. It adds a critical layer of security by alerting security teams before credentials are exploited.
Yes, Dark Web Monitoring is safe when provided by reputable cybersecurity companies. These services use legal methods to search for stolen data on the dark web without exposing your personal information. They monitor criminal forums and criminal marketplaces where criminals trade stolen data. The process is passive, meaning your data is not actively shared or uploaded during monitoring. Reputable providers follow strict privacy and security standards, ensuring your sensitive information stays protected. Dark Web Monitoring helps you stay informed and secure your assets before they’re exploited.
Dark Web monitoring involves scanning hidden parts of the internet where cybercriminals trade stolen data. These areas are not indexed by standard search engines and require special tools to access. A Dark Web monitoring service continuously searches underground forums and marketplaces for compromised information. The most common types of data leaked include login credentials and financial records. When exposed data is found, the service alerts users so they can take action before criminals exploit it.
A dark web scan searches criminal marketplaces and breach databases for your organization’s exposed data. Unlike continuous monitoring, a scan generates a one-time dark web report of leaked credentials.
For ongoing protection, dark web monitoring services provide 24/7 surveillance with real-time alerts. A scan shows what’s already leaked. Continuous monitoring catches new exposures as they happen. Most organizations use both: an initial scan to assess exposure, followed by continuous monitoring.
Dark web monitoring works in 4 steps:
1. Continuous Scanning: Monitor dark web marketplaces and leak sites 24/7 for compromised data
2. Data Detection: Identify credentials and sensitive data related to your organization using specialized crawlers
3. Real-Time Alerts: Get notified immediately when your data appears on the dark web
4. Immediate Response: Reset passwords and terminate sessions before exploitation
Dark web monitoring continuously scans hidden websites and marketplaces where attackers trade stolen information. Specialized tools search for leaked credentials and session tokens. When matching data is found, the service sends an alert to your security team for immediate action.
Dark web monitoring services scan the dark web for stolen personal and business data. Common types of leaked data include login credentials and credit card numbers. These services search hidden websites and marketplaces where cybercriminals trade sensitive information. If your data is detected, you receive an alert with details about the breach. Businesses use these services to protect customer data and intellectual property. Dark web monitoring acts as an early warning system, helping reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud. For a detailed comparison, see our guide to the best dark web monitoring services.
Dark web marketplaces host various types of stolen information. Personal Identifiable Information (PII) like names and Social Security numbers are used for identity theft. Financial data like credit card details and bank account numbers are common. Login credentials for corporate accounts enable account takeovers. Medical records are valuable for healthcare fraud. Trade secrets and intellectual property are sold for corporate espionage. Government documents like passports are used for creating fake identities.
A Dark Web Monitoring Alert is a notification you receive when your organization’s sensitive information is detected on the dark web. This includes email addresses and passwords. These alerts indicate that your data may have been exposed through data breaches or cybercriminal activities. Receiving an alert lets you take action like changing passwords or enabling two-factor authentication. The alert helps your security team reduce the risk of identity theft.
Dark Web Monitoring Software is a cybersecurity tool designed to detect and alert users when their sensitive information appears on the dark web. It continuously scans hidden websites and online marketplaces where cybercriminals trade stolen data. When a potential data breach is detected, the software sends alerts so users can take corrective actions like changing passwords. Businesses use this software to protect customer data and maintain regulatory compliance. It serves as an early warning system for identity theft and fraud. Compare the leading options in our best dark web monitoring tools guide.
Dark web monitoring is essential for businesses because it helps protect sensitive company information from cybercriminals. It provides early detection of breached data, alerting you when employee credentials or customer information appear on the dark web. This early warning lets you prevent fraud and data theft before they cause reputational damage. Dark web monitoring plays a crucial role in protecting company assets and maintaining customer trust.
Monitoring the dark web requires specialized tools that aggregate and analyze data from hidden services on Tor and I2P networks. Dark web monitoring platforms use automated crawlers to scan dark web marketplaces and breach repositories for exposed credentials and sensitive business data. These platforms provide threat intelligence feeds and real-time alerting. Enterprises can integrate dark web monitoring into their SIEM systems through the Dark Web API for centralized threat detection.
Dark web credential monitoring is a service that scans the dark web for exposed login credentials and leaked company data. It continuously monitors dark web forums and underground marketplaces where cybercriminals trade stolen data. When compromised credentials linked to your accounts are detected, the service triggers an alert. This lets you take immediate action like resetting passwords or enabling multi-factor authentication. Credential monitoring solutions often integrate with corporate security systems, helping prevent account takeovers. Security teams can mitigate the risk of leaked data before criminals exploit it.
Yes, most organizations can benefit from dark web monitoring. If your business handles sensitive data like customer records or financial information, dark web monitoring is essential. It helps detect exposed credentials and data breaches before they escalate into major incidents. Cybercriminals frequently target businesses of all sizes. For organizations subject to data privacy regulations, dark web monitoring also supports compliance efforts by identifying breaches early. Learn more about whether dark web monitoring is worth it for your organization.
Automating dark web monitoring provides continuous threat detection without manual intervention. Automated systems use web crawlers and AI to scan dark web forums and marketplaces 24/7. This ensures faster detection of exposed credentials and data breaches. Faster detection means faster response times. Automation reduces human error and provides actionable alerts with contextual threat intelligence. For businesses, automated monitoring improves incident response through API integration with existing security tools.
Yes, automating searches through dark web search engines is possible but requires specialized tools. Standard search engines can’t index the dark web, so automated searching relies on custom-built web crawlers designed for dark web environments like Tor and I2P. These tools continuously scan criminal marketplaces and forums for specific keywords and exposed credentials. However, automation must avoid detection to maintain access to private channels. Most organizations use dark web monitoring services, which offer automated monitoring with real-time alerts and API integration.
Data breach tools are software solutions designed to detect and alert you to unauthorized access to your sensitive information. They monitor your network and the dark web for suspicious activities, helping you protect your data from being misused or stolen.
Dark web monitoring helps you detect data breaches in real time, notifying you when sensitive information related to your organization appears. While you can’t delete these mentions on the dark web, you can apply preventative measures like canceling accounts and changing passwords to mitigate damage. CISA recommends detecting and responding to breaches within 72 hours to minimize damage.
Use Breachsense’s dark web scanner to check your exposure. This tool searches across data breaches and infostealer logs to identify if your information has been exposed. If your data is found, the service provides detailed breach information so you can take action like changing passwords or terminating sessions. For ongoing protection, continuously monitoring the dark web for leaked data helps prevent breaches.








