Expert Opinion: Is your data on the dark web?

The dark web provides a threat to businesses of all sizes: Stockport-based IT support business, CTRL-S, explains the risks and how to protect your data. 

With a staggering 58% of SMEs experiencing a cyberattack in the last year, data breaches have unfortunately become a regular part of modern business. Many businesses focus on protecting their systems from external attack, with advanced technical controls and specialist monitoring, the threat of the dark web can be unknowingly stumbled upon by anyone within a business from any device. The dark web is a hidden corner of the internet and a marketplace for stolen credentials, sensitive data and other illicit goods. Many individuals and businesses are unaware that their information could already be exposed, leaving a vulnerability to be further breached. This post will unpack what the dark web is, how your data could have ended up there and how a proactive scan can help safeguard yourself and your business.

What is the Dark Web?

The internet is often visualised as an iceberg. The tip is the surface web, which is what we use daily and is accessible through search engines, social media, etc. Beneath the surface lies the deep web, which we also access daily. It contains data not indexed by search engines but is still critical to online operations such as private databases, online banking portals, or instances of cloud-based applications such as Office 365 and Xero. Finally, at the bottom, there’s the dark web, a hidden network that requires specialised software to access. Designed for anonymity, it has become a safe haven for illegitimate activities and cybercrime, acting as a marketplace for stolen data, including:

• Login credentials
• Credit card details
• Personal information
• Intellectual property

How Does Data End Up on the Dark Web?

There are many ways that data can be found on the dark web. However, it is often the result of a cyberattack:

• Data Breaches: These are the most common culprits. They can be caused for a variety of reasons and sometimes not even at the fault of the individual whose data is breached. This includes phishing and other social engineering attacks where data is breached through deception, weak passwords that are cracked, or host system compromise. It was found that 68% of breaches involved a non-malicious human element, such as social engineering, in 2024 by Verizon in their Data Breach study.
• Credential Stuffing: This is a practice done by cybercriminals to try and maximise the data they have from previous breaches. It involves taking data from a previous breach and trying it in other places. Any passwords reused across platforms are at risk of being attacked by this method.
• Insecure Websites, applications and Databases: Poor security practices can be easily exploited. Websites, applications, and databases that have poor security practices can easily be exploited by cyber criminals.

Every business can be a target for cybercriminals, including micro and small businesses, as Cybercriminals often see them as easy targets as typically there is a small budget and limited cyber security expertise.

Why a Dark Web Scan is Crucial

A Dark Web Scan acts as an early warning system. It proactively searches the dark web for your company’s compromised data. By identifying exposed data, you gain valuable time to mitigate risks and take action before significant negative consequences occur. These risks can include:

• Proactive Identification: Discover compromised data before it is used against you or your business.
• Early Warning: Receive alerts about potential breaches, allowing you to react quickly
• Risk Mitigation: Take steps to secure your systems, like changing passwords, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and patching vulnerabilities.

Reduce your risk of a data breach

There are practical tips you can follow to reduce the risks of a successful data breach, such as:

• Strong and Unique Passwords: Using complex and unique passwords for each account eliminates the risk of password cracking. An easy way to do this is by using a password manager, which will generate and store strong passwords automatically and securely.
• Enable Multi-Factor authentication: MFA adds an extra layer of security, requiring a second form of verification (such as a prompt in an app like Microsoft Authenticator) in addition to your password, providing an extra layer for a cybercriminal to have to unravel.
• Be Cautious of Phishing and Social Engineering: Be suspicious of communications from unknown senders or with unexpected content. Never open links or attachments from these, and verify authenticity before entering any sensitive data.