Finding out that your information is on the dark web might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but unfortunately, it’s a too-common real-life scenario. Whether you’re a business owner, employee, or casual internet user, your personal information is constantly at risk of exposure. But what exactly is the dark web, and how can you protect yourself and your business from its threats? In a recent webinar, Cybersecurity Beyond Hardware: Focus on the Human Factor, experts from TechMD and Breach Secure Now shed light on the dangers lurking in the darkest corners of the web.
What is the Dark Web?
According to a 2023 survey, 70% of adults globally do not understand the dark web. It is an intentionally hidden part of the internet not indexed by traditional search engines, like Google. Users can surf, post, or make purchases while remaining anonymous. While not all dark web activities are nefarious, it’s a hub for cybercriminals to buy, sell, and trade personal identifiable information (PII), like passwords, credit card numbers, and social security information.
Is the Dark Web Hard to Access?
Accessing the dark web is easier than you might think. With software like the Tor browser, it’s surprisingly simple and inexpensive. Originally developed to protect privacy, Tor has become a gateway to the dark web, enabling both legitimate and illegal activities under the cover of anonymity. This accessibility is part of what makes monitoring your personal and business data so important, as cybercriminals can easily operate under the radar.
How Does Personal Data End Up on the Dark Web?
Sensitive data ends up on the dark web in several ways, most commonly through data breaches. When companies face cyberattacks, hackers often steal customer and business data to sell on the dark web.
Phishing scams are another route, where employees or individuals unknowingly provide sensitive information, such as passwords, financial details, or login credentials, directly to cybercriminals. Phishing attacks often target small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) due to their limited IT resources and lack of employee training.
Consider all the accounts you and your business manage, such as email, CRM, banking, cloud storage, and social media. If any of these accounts are compromised, that data can quickly end up on the dark web, risking putting your financial security and personal information seriously at risk.
Watch: Email Breach Signals: Top 5 Warning Signs Every Business Should Watch For
Is Your Data on the Dark Web?
Wondering if your PII or business information is already floating around on the dark web? Unfortunately, once data is leaked, it’s nearly impossible to remove. However, you can take steps to find out if your data has been exposed. Cybersecurity providers like TechMD offer tools to scan the dark web for any known breaches tied to your email, business domains, or sensitive data. These services can alert you and provide insights into the source of the breach.
What to Do If Your Business Data Is Exposed
For SMBs, monitoring company emails, employee accounts, and customer data is essential to quickly address potential leaks before they lead to significant damage. If a dark web scan reveals that your company’s data has been exposed, immediate action is required. Here’s what to do:
- Update all passwords. Start by having your team update passwords for any accounts tied to the compromised data. Make sure the new passwords are strong and unique for each account, including company-wide tools and applications.
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA). Add an extra layer of security to business-critical accounts by enabling MFA. This helps protect accounts even if passwords are compromised.
- Monitor business accounts. Keep a close eye on your company’s financial accounts, as well as key systems like payroll, CRM platforms, and cloud storage. Early detection of unusual activity can help mitigate damage.
- Consider business identity theft protection. Consider subscribing to services that monitor your business’s credit and identity. These services can alert you to suspicious activity and assist with recovery if your company’s identity or data is compromised.
Read more about MFA: MFA 101: A Cybersecurity Non-Negotiable
How to Prevent Future Exposure
Preventing your company’s data from being exposed on the dark web starts with practicing good cybersecurity hygiene. Here are a few key steps that SMBs can take to protect themselves:
- Use strong, unique passwords for every account in your business. Encourage employees to use a password manager to track and manage complex passwords across systems.
- Educate employees about phishing scams. Training staff to be cautious when clicking on links in unsolicited emails or sharing sensitive company information can drastically reduce the risk of phishing attacks.
- Regularly update software and systems. Ensure all devices, applications, and company software are kept up to date with the latest security patches. This helps to close any vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
- Monitor data breaches. Utilize monitoring services, like those offered by TechMD, that can detect if your company’s data, such as business accounts and passwords, appear on the dark web. Regularly review and respond to alerts regarding potential breaches or compromises.
- Limit access to sensitive data. Implement a model of least privilege or “Zero Trust” by ensuring that employees only have access to the data necessary for their roles. Regularly review user access levels and adjust them as needed.
- Engage cybersecurity experts. Consider partnering with a cybersecurity firm to assess your current security posture and implement advanced protective measures. Engaging professionals can provide valuable insights into your vulnerabilities and help develop a robust security strategy.
- Conduct regular security audits to identify weaknesses before they can be exploited. Additionally, consider utilizing proactive and reactive threat hunting and remediation services. These services monitor your environment for suspicious behavior, allowing for the early identification of potential compromises and swift response actions to mitigate risks. TechMD provides 24×7 threat hunting, detection and alerting services with a 97% true positive rating to identify real threats, so our clients spend less time investigating security incidents.
- Develop an incident response plan. Prepare a comprehensive incident response plan that outlines the steps to take in the event of a data breach or cyber incident. Conduct regular drills to ensure that your team is familiar with the response procedures.
TechMD has over 350 playbooks — incident response plans for 98% of common cyber incidents — with more added each year as new types of cyber threats are identified.
Stay Vigilant with TechMD
While you can’t completely eliminate the risk of your data appearing on the dark web, staying vigilant and adopting strong cybersecurity practices can significantly reduce your exposure. Remember, the best defense is a proactive one.
TechMD offers comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, including dark web monitoring, phishing simulations, and ongoing training to keep you and your team prepared for any potential threats. Don’t wait for a breach to happen, reach out to TechMD today to safeguard your information and ensure your business is protected from cyber threats.
