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What happens when your data, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), is found on the Dark Web?
First, what is the Dark Web?
It’s an illegal online e-retail space where criminals can exchange services and money. Approximately three million people visit the Dark Web daily.
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
Cyber criminals often begin by examining an organization’s infrastructure, seeking vulnerabilities in its 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? Perhaps a coworker clicks on a malicious link in a convincing email that appears 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 about 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 attempt to log into your other accounts. Many people reuse passwords, so one breach can unlock multiple “doors.”
Once the attacker gains control of the network and extracts your sensitive data, they export your files in a format that can be easily sold or shared 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. Intelligent systems can scan the scope and source of the attack and initiate any automated recovery processes. Meanwhile, the instant notifications enable security experts to initiate 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 specific 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 a database dump
- The software is configured to alert your IT team when it detects matches, such as your 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 you 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.
- Be vigilant for suspicious activity on your accounts. Report any suspected fraud to the relevant authorities or superiors.
- Consider credit monitoring services to help flag unauthorized transactions.
- Place fraud alerts on your credit reports to notify creditors that your information may be at risk of compromise.
- 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 encountering trouble.
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 grave data breach.
Ultimately, knowledge is also the best prevention. Stay informed about current cyber threats and best practices for mitigating them. Good cyber hygiene and practiced security awareness can help keep your data off the Dark Web altogether.
Commonwealth Sentinel can help your organization stay secure by implementing robust password policies, utilizing practical multi-factor authentication tools, and providing comprehensive in-person cyber training for your entire staff. It only takes one lucky cyber criminal to cause damage, so your team must always remain vigilant. To schedule a consultation, click here or contact us at (502) 320-9885.
At Commonwealth Sentinel, we are focused on cyber security so that you can focus on other things.