The dark web is the hidden collective of internet sites only accessible by a specialized web browser. It is used for keeping internet activity anonymous and private, which can be helpful in both legal and illegal applications.
If your personal information is spotted on the dark web, it could mean someone took the information without your permission. Criminals steal information in various ways, like hacking, malware, phishing scams, SIM swaps, and even digging through the trash to look for documents containing personal data.
What You Should Know
Even without any direct interaction, companies need to be mindful about their exposure to the dark web. Posts on dark web forums frequently reference plots to conduct ransomware or denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, while hacker marketplaces provide a platform for cybercriminals to sell leaked client data.
Proactive Steps for Businesses
Regular threat monitoring is important to review content that is being published on the dark web that might make them vulnerable to cyberattacks or data breaches. Consistent assessments being done in your workplace is a necessity in order to ensure that your information is safe.
There were more than 4.1 billion records breaches just in the first half of 2019, a 54% increase over the first half of 2018, according to Norton. Some of the most notable have been Capital One, DoorDash, and the American Medical Collection Agency—all of which exposed sensitive information to hackers.
Protecting Your Employees
It’s important to educate your employees of the current cyberattacks that have been happening, seeing they have been at an all-time-high. In June 2021 alone, it was reported that 9.8 million records have been breached. Most of these can be found from phishing attacks as well as lack of updated passwords.
Here are some key solutions to implement:
- Always use sophisticated passwords
- Change passwords regularly
- Have different passwords for each account
- Install firewall, anti-spyware and antivirus software
- Have strong company guidelines on internet use
- Consider installing a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Use two-factor identification
- Make sure the websites you use are secure
