The dark web is the mysterious backroom of the internet. While it has legal uses, it’s a destination where cybercriminals often congregate to buy and sell stolen data.
This data can include everything from login credentials and customer information to intellectual property and financial details.
In fact, according to recent reports, over 15 billion credentials from more than 100,000 data breaches are available on the dark web.
Cybercriminals can use this information to gain unauthorised access to your systems, launch targeted attacks, and cause some serious financial and reputational damage.
Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect your business from dark web threats.
Read on to learn how to protect your business from threats emanating from the dark net.
The Risks Posed by the Dark Web
It’s very difficult to quantify the risks posed by the darknet. While this under-hive of internet activity does have legitimate uses, such as avoiding censorship, there is no doubt that a significant proportion of darknet activity is dedicated to criminal activity.
Business data is traded openly on marketplaces and forums, with credentials selling at budget prices – often less than a dollar per login. From there, it’s not difficult for threat actors to breach your systems and wreak untold havoc upon your business.
It’s much more common than people assume. In the UK, small and micro businesses are by far the most likely to be targeted by cyber attacks, with 39% reporting incidents each year. Experts believe more attacks are being solicited through the dark web than ever before.
Here’s an overview of how stolen data is commonly misused:
- Unauthorised System Access – Exposed credentials give hackers direct entry into corporate networks, allowing them to bypass security measures and manipulate internal systems.
- Phishing and Social Engineering – Cybercriminals use leaked employee or customer details to create convincing scams, tricking users into revealing even more sensitive information.
- Identity Theft & Financial Fraud – Attackers can impersonate executives or employees to initiate fraudulent transactions, take out loans, or steal company funds.
- Intellectual Property Theft – Proprietary research, trade secrets, and confidential documents can be sold or leaked, putting your competitive advantage at risk.
- Ransomware & Extortion – Criminals often threaten to publish stolen data unless a ransom is paid, disrupting operations and damaging trust with customers and partners.
The bottom line is that a single compromised credential can open the floodgates to larger attacks. That’s why monitoring and proactive cybersecurity are essential to minimising risk.
Protect Your Business From The Darknet
So, what can we do about it? Fortunately, there are methods for protecting your business from the risks posed by the dark web.
Some involve good cybersecurity hygiene, while others are targeted at protecting your data from being leaked or replicated.
Consider implementing the following measures:
- Dark Web Monitoring: Dark web monitoring services that continuously scan for any leaked credentials or sensitive information related to your business. If any compromised data is detected, you’ll be alerted promptly, allowing you to take immediate action to mitigate potential damage.
- Robust Cybersecurity Infrastructure: A strong cybersecurity foundation is essential to prevent unauthorised access to your systems. Hive Communications can assist you in implementing advanced firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and endpoint protection tools. We’ll also ensure that your servers, networks, and workstations are securely configured to minimise vulnerabilities.
- Employee Cybersecurity Training: Educating your employees about cybersecurity best practices is crucial in preventing breaches. We can provide cybersecurity training programs covering phishing, social engineering, and safe online habits. Your staff are your frontline protection versus cyber threats emanating from both the surface and dark web – training them can have a huge impact.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA adds an additional layer of security to your accounts, preventing unauthorised access even if a password is compromised. We can help you set up secure MFA solutions, such as Microsoft Authenticator, to protect your critical systems and data.
- Data Encryption: Encrypting sensitive data, both in transit and at rest, is essential to protect it from unauthorised access. We provide data encryption services to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your business documents and emails.
Hive is ready to assist you in protecting your business against threats emanating from the dark web. Indeed, most of these strategies are general best practices, too – such as protecting passwords and other sensitive data from being leaked in the first instance.
Assess Your Exposure with a Free Dark Web Audit
Hive Communications offers a complimentary dark web audit to help you understand your business’s current exposure on the dark web.
Our team will thoroughly scan the dark web to identify any compromised credentials or sensitive information associated with your organisation.
We’ll provide a detailed report of our findings and recommend actionable steps to mitigate any identified risks.
Don’t wait until a breach occurs – take the first steps to safeguard your business from the dark web.
To schedule your free dark web audit or to learn more about our cybersecurity services, please contact our friendly team.
