A common consequence of successful cyberattacks and ransomware incidents is that sensitive company information ends up on the dark web. Sometimes it is offered for sale as part of a large collection of stolen records; other times it is simply posted in plain text for anyone to access. Ransomware attackers frequently threaten to leak a company’s data if their demands are not met.
At best, the exposed details could be names and addresses, which are useful to identity thieves. At worst it could be credentials, bank details, or credit card numbers.
In this article we cover what the dark web is, the risks of your information appearing there, and the steps you can take to prevent it happening in the first place, as well as what to do if it already has.
What Is The Dark Web?
Content hosted on the internet that cannot be accessed without specialized software like the Tor Browser. While much of the dark web is benign, significant portions are devoted to illegal activities, including online marketplaces for hacking tools and stolen credentials.
What Information Gets Posted There?
Any type of data can end up on these hidden networks, but the records cybercriminals are most interested in include:
- Contact details such as addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses
- Bank account information
- Username and password combinations
- Health records
- Insurance details
- Passport information
What Happens When Your Information Is Exposed?
Criminals can use stolen personal details to commit identity fraud, applying for loans or mobile contracts in your name. If login credentials have been leaked, attackers will try them across every service they can find in case you have reused the same password elsewhere. This is another strong reason to have a robust password policy in your organization.
Not every attacker on these hidden networks has a financial motive. Some are simply looking to cause disruption.
Why Is It a Risk For My Business?
Having your records appear on these platforms increases your risk of suffering another attack. Threat actors looking for targets are more likely to pursue a company if they already hold credentials from a previous breach. The fact that your information was exposed at all signals that your defenses were not strong enough to stop the original attack. You may not even be aware that a breach occurred, and may not have updated credentials or improved your security posture since the incident.
How To Keep Your Data Off The Dark Web
Secure Your Network
Sensitive information ending up in the wrong hands is a symptom of weak data security. Properly protecting your networks, email systems, and devices reduces the risk of information being stolen in the first place.
Prevent Ransomware
Much of the stolen data circulating on hidden forums originates from ransomware attacks. Investing in prevention tools can significantly reduce your exposure. Through a combination of ransomware protection software and effective firewall management, it is possible to block compromised machines from transmitting your information outside your network.
Use a Password Manager
A password manager helps prevent login credentials from being leaked or reused. These tools generate strong, unique passwords and store them in an encrypted vault secured by a single master passphrase. When you use one, you do not need to remember individual passwords, and it is much harder to accidentally expose credentials you have never seen in full.
Partner With a Managed IT Services Provider
At Carden IT Services we offer ransomware protection, firewall management, and password management tools as part of our comprehensive cybersecurity package.
How Do I Know If My Information Is On The Dark Web?
Warning signs that your records may have been exposed include suspicious activity on your email accounts, unexplained charges on company bank accounts, and customers reporting that they have received communications from you that you did not send. Even if none of these apply, it is worth checking whether your details have appeared online.
It is not advisable to use the Tor browser and attempt to find your own data on these hidden networks. Doing so can actually increase your risk: regularly searching for your organization’s name or your CEO’s details on dark web search engines can attract attention from criminals monitoring those searches, raising your overall threat exposure.
Instead, speak to a managed IT partner like us. We use specialized software to conduct automated, AI-driven scans of dark web networks for mentions of your organization, email addresses, and associated credentials, without the security and legal risks of accessing these platforms directly.
Can I Remove Sensitive Information From The Dark Web?
Unfortunately, unlike mainstream platforms, hidden networks are not in the habit of responding to takedown notices or legal threats. If your records have already appeared in these places, there is very little you can do to force their removal. However, you can assess what has been exposed and take steps to reduce your ongoing risk.
You should immediately replace any credentials that have been leaked. This includes not just the accounts directly affected, but any other accounts that shared the same password. Reusing passwords across multiple accounts is poor practice at the best of times, so a breach like this is a good opportunity to overhaul your credentials and start using a password manager.
Need Help Keeping Your Information Off The Dark Web?
Hopefully this has been a useful overview of the risks that dark web exposure poses to your organization, as well as the steps you can take to prevent it. If you would like professional help with your data security, our team is here to assist. We have helped companies in the US and the UK protect their critical information from falling into the wrong hands. Book a call with us today to find out how we can help protect your organization.
