Introduction
What happens when your data is found on the Dark Web?
First, what is the Dark Web?
It’s essentially an illegal online e-retail space where criminals can exchange services and money. About 3M people visit the Dark Web every day.
From the initial attack to how your IT team fixes the issue, let’s dive into what happens when your personal information ends up for sale on the dark marketplace.
How CyberCriminals Steal and Sell Your Data
Cybercriminals often start by investigating the company’s infrastructure, looking for weak spots in employees, digital systems, or online networks. They might use phishing emails to trick employees into revealing login information or exploit vulnerabilities in the network.
What might this look like in real life? Maybe a coworker clicks on a malicious link in a convincing email pretending to be from “IT Support” or a trusted vendor. This could install malware or trick them into entering credentials on a fake login page. Hackers prey on urgency and fear to manipulate you into acting without thinking over the red flags.
Once they have the necessary credentials, they gain access to the system. Attackers often use stolen usernames and passwords from another breach (e.g., after exploiting your favorite retail site) to try logging into your other accounts. Many people reuse passwords, so one breach can unlock multiple “doors.”
Once the attacker takes control of the network and extracts your sensitive data, they export your files in a format that they can easily sell or share on the Dark Web. That’s when the real trouble starts.
How Security Experts Come to the Rescue
Automated monitoring can notify affected users and system administrators when the software finds an anomaly. The smart systems can scan the scope and source of the attack, and jump-start any automated recovery processes. Meanwhile, the instant notifications let security experts begin additional remediation processes immediately.
While your security team works to isolate the breach, you may notice disruptions to your workday. For example, they might shut down certain areas of the network or block access to certain websites and accounts. Prepare to switch to some manual operations until the issue gets resolved.
Dark Web Monitoring software allows for 24/7 scans of dark web forums and marketplaces. This technology finds any mention of your private data. These tools scan for specific keywords tied to your business, such as:
- Corporate email domains (e.g., @yourcompany.com)
- Employee names or customer data
- Leaked documents or database dump
The software is configured to alert your IT team when it detects matches, such as your personal credentials in a hacker forum or a leaked customer list for sale. Then your security team investigates the suspicious behavior.
What Can You Do to Keep Your Data Safe?
If either your automated software or your security team notifies your that your information has been compromised, take immediate action!
- Change any compromised passwords. Always create complex passwords for each different account. Consider using a password manager to keep them all straight!
- Set up multifactor authentication (MFA) on all accounts to add an extra layer of security.
- Keep an eye out for suspicious activity on your accounts. Report any fraud to the relevant superiors or authorities.
- Consider credit monitoring services to help flag unauthorized transactions.
- Place fraud alerts on your credit reports to warn creditors that your information may be compromised.
- Add protection against SIM-swapping to secure your phone number.
Do you have any questions about your current cybersecurity measures? Ask your supervisors about any concerns before you start running into trouble!
Conclusion
The Dark Web can be a scary place for your credentials to end up. Understanding how cybercriminals steal and sell your data on the dark marketplace is the first step toward preventing a very serious data breach.
Ultimately, knowledge is also the best prevention. Stay aware of current cyber-threats and best practices for avoiding them. Good cyber hygiene and practiced security awareness can help keep your data off the Dark Web altogether!
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