If company or employee information ends up on the Dark Web, it can have disastrous results. Like any cybersecurity breach, you have to know about the leak to respond to it, which presents a problem. Many people may not know how to find their information on the Dark Web.
It’s entirely likely that your information is on the Dark Web already without your knowledge. In early 2020, experts found 80 access points to major companies’ networks for sale on the Dark Web. With cybercrime trending upward, this issue demands attention.
Finding Your Information on the Dark Web
The Dark Web is vast, and not all of the information on it is reliable. As a result, finding your information on the Dark Web isn’t always a foolproof process. On the plus side, you can access an abundance of tools and companies to help.
Dark Web scanners like Echosec Beacon or Spycloud ATO Prevention are the most effective approach to discovering leaked data. These scans search through Dark Web databases for your information, either manually or via an automated program. If they find anything, they’ll alert you.
Some network traffic monitors, like WhatsUp Gold, can find Dark Web activity connected to your network. While Dark Web traffic is anonymous, these programs can identify Tor entry and exit nodes. These won’t tell you what information is on the Dark Web, but they can alert you that something’s going on.
There are some free tools available, like Have I Been Pwned?, but these offer limited functionality. They typically only look for email addresses in known breaches, so they’re not helpful for early response.
Mitigating the Damage
Once you find company information on the Dark Web, you need to respond to it. While you can’t wipe info from Dark Web sites, you can take action on your end to render the leaked data useless. The first step is changing any leaked access credentials you find.
If you find one employees’ credentials on the Dark Web, there’s a chance there are more on there. Consequently, you should require all employees to change their passwords and authentication questions if you discover any amount of leaked data. Next, run some scans for any malicious or unsanctioned activity on your network.
You don’t know how long your info has been on the Dark Web. As a result, a cybercriminal could have already used it to breach your network. To find and respond to these threats, scan for them on your network, looking closer than you normally do.
Prevention
As you probably know, prevention is better than a cure. Whether or not you find your information on the Dark Web, you should take steps to prevent future breaches. Given the severity of these threats, adopting a zero-trust approach to cybersecurity may be necessary.
Adopters of the zero-trust model include Google and the Department of Defense. Retrofitting your network with multiple encryption levels and new access controls isn’t easy, but it may be crucial. Pursuing this level of security can substantially reduce your risk of a Dark Web leak.
Verify the security of all partners before engaging in business with them to prevent third-party leaks. You should also limit employee access and provide thorough cybersecurity training to prevent insider threats. Finally, run Dark Web scans frequently so you can stay in-the-know about any breaches.
Stay Safe From Dark Web Threats
The Dark Web isn’t something to take lightly, but you don’t need to panic about it, either. With careful and consistent monitoring and prevention methods, you can stop and mitigate any Dark Web threats. The sooner you act, the better prepared you are to protect your company and employees.
