If you’ve read a headline about hackers dumping sensitive information that has been illegally obtained on the dark web, you may have realized instantly that this is a serious problem but not fully understood exactly what it meant. According to recent studies, 55% of adults in the U.S. and 70% globally did not understand the dark web. Simply put, the dark web is part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines like Google or accessible by typical web browsers. Knowing how the dark web figures in security breaches and what to do if you suspect your business’s data has ended up on the dark web is essential for protecting your company’s sensitive information and mitigating any damage.
Dark web technology is designed to keep users’ identities anonymous, allowing them to post, make purchases, and share files confidentially. Its layered encryption protocols mean that the identities and locations of dark web users can’t be tracked. Thus, although not all activity on the dark web is illegal, malicious actors have gravitated toward it as a convenient resource for buying, selling, and trading personally identifiable information (PII), login credentials, financial information, medical records, intellectual property and trade secrets, and more.
Accessing this deliberately hidden part of the internet is relatively easy. Although it requires specialized software, this is not hard to obtain. For example, Tor, a free, open-source web browser which was originally developed to protect users’ privacy online and combat censorship, has facilitated access to the dark web for both legitimate and illegal purposes. Cybercriminals can quite easily operate out of sight due to this easy accessibility, making it essential to monitor your business information for signs that it has been compromised.
Data breaches are the most common reason sensitive information like credit card or Social Security numbers ends up on the dark web. Hackers carrying out cyberattacks on companies will often steal customer information and business data to sell on the dark web (or to extort payment from the company by threatening to do so).
Malicious actors can also obtain passwords, financial information, or login credentials via phishing scams, where the criminal poses as a trusted source such as bank via email or text to trick an individual or employee into revealing sensitive information. Small and medium-sized businesses are often targeted for phishing attacks because they tend to have less sophisticated cybersecurity and their employees may lack the training to identify and avoid falling for these scams.
Unfortunately, if any of the many accounts a business manages are compromised—email, customer relationship management software, bank accounts, social media, cloud storage, and more—the associated data can quickly end up on the dark web. The financial and reputational health of your business could be the next casualty.
Unfortunately, once data is already on the dark web, it is almost impossible to get it removed. However, you can find out if your data has already been exposed and take steps to mitigate the damage. A knowledgeable cybersecurity and IT provider can scan the dark web for any breaches tied to your business data or accounts and provide ongoing monitoring so you can take swift, appropriate action.
If such a scan reveals that your data has been compromised, you should:
| Action | Description |
| Update Passwords | Change passwords for any affected accounts. Ensure all new passwords are strong and unique. |
| Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) | Add an extra layer of security to critical accounts to prevent unauthorized access, even if passwords are compromised. |
| Monitor Key Accounts | Keep a close watch on financial accounts, payroll, CRM software, and cloud storage to detect unusual activity early. |
| Consider Business Identity Theft Protection | Use monitoring services to track business credit and identity, receive alerts for suspicious activity, and assist in recovery if compromised. |
A strong cybersecurity posture is the best defense against having your business or client information end up on the dark web. This includes:
| Cybersecurity Best Practice | Description |
| Using Strong, Unique Passwords | Encourage employees to use password managers to track and manage complex passwords instead of reusing weak ones. |
| Providing Cybersecurity Training | Train staff to recognize phishing attacks to reduce the risk of sharing sensitive information or clicking malicious links. |
| Updating Software and Systems Regularly | Keep all applications, company software, and devices updated with the latest security patches to prevent vulnerabilities. |
| Monitoring Data Breaches | Use monitoring services to detect if your company’s data has appeared on the dark web and respond to alerts promptly. |
| Implementing a “Zero Trust” Model | Restrict employee access to only the data necessary for their roles, limiting privileged access to the fewest people required. Regularly review and adjust access levels. |
| Conducting Regular Security Audits | Perform routine audits to identify and fix security weaknesses before cybercriminals can exploit them. |
| Developing an Incident Response Plan | Create a clear response plan for data breaches or cyber incidents, and train employees with regular drills to avoid costly mistakes in a crisis. |
| Partnering with Cybersecurity Experts | Work with professionals to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen security, and access advanced cybersecurity resources beyond in-house capabilities. |
The best way to protect your business from having its sensitive data exposed on the dark web is to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. At Right Click, Inc., our IT and cybersecurity experts can provide the comprehensive support your business needs to ensure that your staff and systems are prepared to safeguard your information. Our highly trained team can respond around the clock to keep your systems running and safe. To learn more, contact us here to schedule a consultation.