What is a dark web alert? A guide for businesses

Nothing good can come from someone stealing your client or employee data and releasing it on the dark web. Fortunately, you can prevent hackers from exploiting your confidential business data. Set up dark web alerts to monitor the dark web for stolen corporate data and receive warnings if any compromised credentials, proprietary information, or sensitive business data is detected.

What is a dark web alert?

The dark web is the secret part of the internet that you can't access via standard search engines. This means that you cannot simply Google the name of a dark web website. To access it, you must use special tools, such as the Tor browser, which will take you to this hidden network area. This part of the internet is often used for illicit activities, including trading stolen data.

How does a dark web alert work?

Dark web monitor scans thousands of dark web websites for user's sensitive information, such as email addresses, passwords, or credit card details. If this monitor spots any of your company's data floating around, it'll send you an alert right away. You can imagine how hard it would be to do this process manually, right?

Even if the dark web monitoring service detects your company's or employee's sensitive data on the dark web and alerts you about the breach, that doesn't mean that someone has already exploited the data. A dark web alert is more like an early warning that your data might be in the wrong hands. It nudges you to change your passwords or check your financial accounts before something bad, such as identity theft or unauthorized transactions, happens.

What are the benefits of a dark web alert?

Dark web alerts can up your business's security when it comes to employee and client data safety. Let's look into the key benefits:

Detects data breaches early

Dark web alerts are designed to warn you about any compromised credentials linked to your business floating on the dark web. The dark web monitor checks hundreds of forums, marketplaces, and channels for references to your company or partners. If it finds data that can be traced back to you, you'll get an alert, allowing you to reduce the chances of someone using the data for fraudulent purposes.

Reduces risk of financial loss

When your business' financial data falls into the hands of cybercriminals, it can lead to unauthorized transactions or even identity fraud involving your employees or partners. Dark web alerts can help you identify these risks early and protect your finances.

Protects brand reputation

A data breach doesn't just affect your business — it puts your customers and partners at risk, too. If a stranger gets into your system and steals confidential client data, rebuilding trust can be tough. Securing your systems and setting up dark web alerts can help you stay ahead and avoid a messy PR crisis.

How does information appear on the dark web?

Information on the dark web usually appears due to a mix of unfortunate cyberattacks or just simple human error. Usually, hackers get into corporate systems through unpatched vulnerabilities and malware and extract data, like names, emails, passwords, or financial details. When criminals have this information, they sell it on dark web marketplaces.

The process doesn't always involve complex hacking, either. Simple human mistakes, such as weak passwords, lack of encryption, or a misconfigured server, are just enough to make your information accessible to strangers looking to sell it on the dark web.

What should you do if you receive a dark web alert?

If you get a dark web alert, you must first determine what information was exposed. Find out if it was employee login credentials, customer data, or your organization's financial information. Is this limited to one platform, or is it a broader issue affecting multiple accounts? As soon as you know what's been compromised, you can take your next steps:

Set up two-factor authentication

Sometimes, a password alone is not enough to protect your internal organization's system. Encourage your staff members to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on their most important online accounts and set it up across all critical systems. Then, even if a hacker has your password, they'll need that second factor (a code sent to your email or smartphone) to get in.

Change affected credentials

If a dark web alert notifies you about stolen passwords, update them. Start with the affected accounts. Create strong and complex passwords that mix letters, numbers, and special characters. Make sure every online account has its own unique password.

Scan for malware

Hackers sometimes use stolen data to install malware on a corporate network. Run a thorough antivirus scan on all company devices to catch potential threats before they do harm. Make sure your antivirus software is up to date and reliable.

Review and improve the company's security strategy

See the data breach as an opportunity to reevaluate your company's cybersecurity strategy. Look for areas that might need tightening. Maybe it's time for another round of security training for employees or an update to your incident response plan for future breaches.

How to prevent data from your business being exposed on the dark web

These proactive practices can help prevent breaches of your employee and client data:

• Train employees on cybersecurity. Your employees are usually the first line of defense against data breaches. Conduct regular cybersecurity training to teach them about the most common cyberattacks, including phishing and social engineering.
• Create a cybersecurity strategy. Develop an all-round cybersecurity strategy outlining policies, procedures, and protocols for protecting sensitive corporate data. Plan your company's access controls, incident responses, and regular security checkups to make sure your internal system is resilient against cyber threats.
• Use strong passwords. We won't stop repeating that creating complex and unique passwords for your business accounts is a must. Passwords like "password123" or "letmein" barely protect any account. Make sure they contain a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. To better manage your business passwords, use a password manager.
• Regularly update software and systems. The latest software and operating system updates include patches against known vulnerabilities. So make sure your systems are up to date to prevent your company data exposure.
• Conduct audits and penetration testing. Regular audits and penetration testing might help you detect system loopholes before a stranger exploits them.
• Use a dark web monitor. A dark web monitor can be invaluable for detecting data breaches. Cybersecurity solutions like the NordStellar dark web monitoring tool keep an eye on the dark web and notify you of leaked data.
• Work with reputable vendors. Make sure your third-party vendors follow strict cybersecurity standards when handling your sensitive data.

FAQ

What is the dark web?

The dark web is a hidden part of a network where people share information, trade goods, and browse anonymously. While it can be a harmless place to share information without revealing your identity, some use dark web forums, websites, and marketplaces for illegal activity, like trading or selling your personal data.

Can you remove your information from the dark web?

Once your business data appears on the dark web, removing it becomes nearly impossible. However, you can use dark web monitoring services like NordStellar to scan the dark web for your corporate credentials and receive alerts if your data is exposed.

How to find out if your information is on the dark web

The best way to find out if someone leaked your company data on the dark web is to use a dark web monitor. It will scan the dark web forums, marketplaces, and channels for any information associated with your business. If it finds something suspicious, it will immediately inform you.

Should you be worried if your data was found on the dark web?

Yes, you should be concerned about your company data floating out on the dark web. It might lead to identity theft, fraud, or cyberattacks on your network. If your dark web monitor detects a leak, change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, monitor your bank accounts for suspicious activity, and secure your systems. Notify your clients and partners if necessary so they can strengthen their cybersecurity, too.