As the internet continues to expand, so does the complexity of the digital world that organisations must navigate. Much of this complexity lies beneath the surface — in areas of the internet that cannot be accessed through normal search engines. These hidden layers, commonly referred to as the deep web, play an increasingly important role in cybersecurity risk assessments and intelligence gathering.

At the same time, both individuals and organisations frequently face another practical question: how to report a website that is fraudulent, harmful or impersonating a legitimate brand. Understanding how the deep web works and how to properly report malicious online activity is essential for modern digital safety.

This article explains what the deep web actually is, how it differs from the dark web, why it matters for cyber threat intelligence, and how to report unsafe websites effectively. It also highlights how data collection and platform integrations support these processes in corporate environments.

What is the deep web?

The deep web refers to all online content that is not indexed by standard search engines like Google, Bing or Yahoo. These pages cannot be found through simple searches. Instead, they require logins, authentication or specific URLs to access.

The deep web includes:

• private databases
• internal corporate portals
• subscription-based platforms
• banking and financial dashboards
• healthcare records
• cloud-based business tools
• password-protected accounts
• academic resources
• internal messaging systems

This means that most of what individuals and businesses use daily — email accounts, CRM tools, HR systems, project management platforms — all technically belong to the deep web.

Importantly, the deep web is not illegal or inherently dangerous. It simply contains content that is not publicly accessible.

For organisations focused on cyber intelligence, deep web data collection is essential for monitoring leaked information, exposed credentials and early indicators of targeted attacks. Modern platforms built for this purpose combine automated data gathering with security analytics. A real-world example of how data collection works in such systems can be found here: https://munit.io/data-collections/

Deep web vs. dark web: what’s the difference?

The terms deep web and dark web are often confused, but they refer to two very different parts of the internet.

Deep web

• Not indexed by search engines
• Requires login or direct access
• Mostly legitimate and used daily
• Includes cloud tools, databases, financial systems

Dark web

• A small part of the deep web
• Accessible only through special browsers (e.g., Tor)
• Frequently used for anonymity
• Contains legal and illegal content
• Often associated with cybercrime

While the deep web itself is harmless, the dark web often hosts:

• stolen credentials
• malware marketplaces
• data leaks
• fraud services
• ransomware forums
• threat actor communication

This makes monitoring both environments essential for comprehensive cybersecurity.

Why the deep web matters for cybersecurity

To secure their digital footprint, organisations need visibility across all environments, not just the visible web.
Cyber attackers frequently target deep web platforms and internal systems because:

• employees reuse passwords
• exposed internal information can lead to targeted attacks
• leaked documents enable more convincing phishing attempts
• compromised accounts may be sold or shared without detection
• business data stored in cloud tools may be misconfigured

Deep web intelligence helps security teams detect:

• password dumps
• leaked internal documents
• credentials exposed in third-party breaches
• early signs of targeted phishing
• confidential information being discussed in closed communities

Without monitoring these areas, organisations remain blind to many of the early indicators that precede major cyber incidents.

How to report a website: what individuals and businesses should know

Whether you encounter a fraudulent website impersonating a brand or discover a harmful page distributing malware, knowing how to report a website is essential.

Reporting malicious websites protects users, prevents fraud and helps reduce the spread of cybercrime.

Here are the most effective methods for reporting unsafe or suspicious websites.

1. Report the website to the hosting provider

Every website is stored on a server managed by a hosting company. If the website violates laws or terms of service, the host can remove it.

To report to a hosting provider:

• use a WHOIS lookup tool to identify the host
• find the provider’s abuse email or form
• include the URL and evidence of harmful content

Most reputable providers respond quickly to abuse reports.

2. Report to the domain registrar

If a domain is used for impersonation, phishing or fraud, the registrar can suspend it.
Registrars usually provide an abuse reporting page where you can submit:

• suspicious domains
• typo-squatting attempts
• URLs mimicking a legitimate brand

This is an effective way to prevent further misuse.

3. Report unsafe sites to search engines

Platforms like Google and Bing allow users to flag:

• phishing websites
• malware pages
• deceptive content
• hacked websites

When flagged, these sites may be blocked or display warnings in browsers, preventing users from visiting them accidentally.

4. Report the website to national authorities

Many countries operate dedicated cybersecurity agencies or CERT teams that handle online crime.
Examples include:

• US-CERT
• NCSC UK
• CERT-EU
• national police cybercrime divisions

Authorities can coordinate takedown efforts and investigate fraudulent activity.

5. Report malicious links on social media

If a harmful website is shared through a social media platform, you can report it directly:
Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and others have built-in reporting tools for fake accounts, scams and phishing links.

6. Internal business escalation

Inside organisations, reporting workflows may include:

• internal IT security teams
• SOC analysts
• platform administrators
• compliance officers

Many companies use automated tools that route website reports to the correct security team for investigation.

Integrating deep web intelligence with website reporting workflows

When dealing with cyber threats, manual processes are rarely enough. Organisations need automated systems that:

• collect intelligence across the deep web
• detect harmful or impersonating websites
• analyse risks
• escalate incidents to security teams
• integrate with SIEM, SOAR and ticketing tools
• trigger automated takedown workflows

This is where modern cybersecurity integrations become essential.
They ensure that information from different tools flows into a unified environment where analysts can respond quickly and consistently.

Examples of such integrations can be found here:
https://munit.io/integrations/

These integrations help organisations turn raw intelligence into actionable steps — including automated reporting of fraudulent websites.

How deep web monitoring supports website reporting

Deep web intelligence strengthens website reporting capabilities in several ways:

1. Early detection

Deep web data often reveals leaked credentials and copied brand assets before attackers use them to build malicious sites.

2. Context for investigations

Security teams gain insights such as:

• who is discussing your brand
• whether credentials are for sale
• if phishing kits mention your company

This context helps prioritise incident response.

3. Automated alerts

When suspicious domains appear, alerts can be generated immediately.

4. Improved reporting accuracy

Detailed intelligence allows teams to file more complete and effective takedown requests.

5. Faster remediation

Early awareness leads to faster reporting, reducing exposure time.

How individuals can stay safe online

While organisations rely on automated monitoring, individuals can protect themselves by:

• avoiding suspicious links
• verifying website URLs
• enabling multi-factor authentication
• keeping software updated
• being skeptical of too-good-to-be-true offers
• reporting harmful content when encountered

Awareness is a critical part of reducing the impact of malicious websites.

Deep web intelligence and proper website reporting strengthen online safety

The deep web is not a mysterious corner of the internet — it is the foundation beneath most digital services we use daily. Monitoring this hidden layer is essential for understanding risks, detecting leaks and anticipating attacks.

At the same time, knowing how to report a website remains crucial for both individuals and organisations. When combined with automated intelligence, integration capabilities and structured workflows, reporting becomes faster and more effective.

Together, these strategies help create a safer, more secure digital environment — one where threats are identified early and resolved efficiently.