Dark Web Scanning: Protect Your Business and Job

There is a lot of talk about the dark web – and for good reason. If you’re wondering ‘should I get dark web monitoring’, we’re here to tell you that it’s an essential part of your business. Dark web scanning is a major player in keeping your business safe.

Dark web sites are a place where criminals can buy and sell anything they want, without any fear of being caught. This makes it a huge threat to businesses all over the world.

However, just because the dark web is dangerous doesn’t mean that you should ignore it. You should be doing regular deep and dark web scans to protect your business from these threats.

That’s why it’s important to understand what it is, and how you can protect yourself from its dangers.

Who Made The Dark Web?section_1

The dark web was created by the US military to allow for secure communication between government officials during the Cold War. For the past 30 years after the cold war, it’s use has quickly changed and spread all over the world.

Although, the dark web has also quickly became a haven for criminals and illegal activity. Dark web marketplaces have become a regular starting point for law enforcement agencies to look for criminal activity.

What Is The Dark Web?section_2

The dark web is a network of websites that are not accessible through regular search engines. They are only accessible through specific software, such as The Onion Router (TOR browser). This is the original dark web websites.

You will not find the websites on the world wide web, as they are not a surface web sites. The dark web is now open to anyone who wants to use it. This means that anyone can buy and sell anything they want, without any fear of being caught.

Unless, you utilise deep web and dark web monitoring.

Activity on The Dark Web

The dark web is used for a variety of illegal activities, including drug dealing, money laundering, and child pornography. However, it’s important to note that not all activity on the dark web is illegal.

There are also many legitimate uses, such as journalism and political activism. But, the vast majority of activity on the dark web is illegal. This makes the dark web dangerous for a variety of reasons. Although not many countries count the dark web illegal.

You Can’t Use A Search Engine for Information

As the dark web is not indexed by search engines like Google, it’s very difficult to track down who is behind any given website.

This anonymity makes it a popular place for criminality.

As there are no search engines, it is very difficult to find anything on the dark web without knowing where to look.

What Information Can Be Sold on The Dark Web?section_3

In your business, so much of the sensitive information you have can be sold for a profit. Your email address will be sold so that it can be cloned and used for illegal activities. Your address and your phone number can be sold. You will definitely find that your bank details can be sold as well. All your details can be sold for the profit of somebody else.

But not only that, but your customers’ or employees’ information may also be sold online. From their email address, their phone number, their address, and their bank details. All of it can be sold, without you noticing. Stolen data has a massive network on the dark and deep web, don’t get yourself caught up in it.

Customers Information Leaked

This can leave your business in a very bad position. Your customers’ information being sold can also lead to them being targeted by scammers. They may receive phishing emails or calls pretending to be from your business, trying to get them to hand over more sensitive information.

Or, even worse, if their bank details have been sold they could find that money has been taken from their account without them knowing. Your identity theft may cause them to lose everything, all because you weren’t careful and monitoring the dark web.

Employees Information Leaked

If your employee’s information is sold, and they use the same password for their work email as they do their personal email, then the person who bought their information can easily access your business’ email.

From there, they can read all of your emails, access any confidential information, and even send emails from your business’ account masquerading as you.

Illegal Activitysection_4

The dark web is full of illegal activity, from selling email addresses to people trafficking. The dark web has it all. One of the most famous criminal cases from the dark web was one called ‘Silk Road’.

Silk Road was a drug trafficking website turned gun smuggling website. The website was eventually shut down by the FBI, but not before it had done a lot of damage. Silk Road was done under everybody’s noses, so what do you think could be happening when nobody is watching?

Your email address is not at the top of the FBI’s list, so you never know if your details are under threat if you don’t use dark web monitoring.

You Never Know Who Uses Dark Web Sites

The worst part about the dark web or even the deep web is that it’s not just criminals who are using it. Your employees could be visiting the dark web right now and you wouldn’t even know. They could be buying illegal drugs, or worse.

You never know what is happening on the dark web, so you need to protect your business from everybody.

As you never know who would sell your details, you need to initiate dark web scanning. Dark web scanning is an essential part of keeping your business safe.

You have no idea of the dangers that are lurking in the corners of the internet. You could lose your job or your business before you even know it.

How Your Employees Can Affect Your Businesssection_5

Your employees can be the worst for your business when it comes to the dark web. They have access to all of your systems, and can easily access sensitive information. This way, they can sell your information on the dark web without you ever second-guessing it.

Your stolen data can go a long way on the dark web without being noticed.

Although your employees don’t always have to be purposefully selling your information. Your employees are one of the most likely to put your business in danger, especially by accident.

Employees can leave their laptops unlocked, leave their phones lying out, use the same password across all their devices and more. All of this can lead to unknown people accessing your sensitive information, and selling it for anybody to buy. Leaving your business in a bad position.

Your employees may not mean to put your sensitive information on the dark web, but that doesn’t stop it from happening.

Why You Need To Do Dark Web Monitoring Servicessection_6

Your business information can be sold so easily, without you ever knowing. That’s why dark web scans need to be repeatedly done. You need to know when your information has been placed on the dark web, so you can change your passwords and secure your devices.

Or else, there could be dire consequences for your business. Everything that you’ve worked hard for, will be gone at the touch of a button.

What Can Happen If You Don’t Use Dark Web Scannerssection_7

If you choose not to use dark web scanning, then you could be putting your business at risk. People will be able to sell your information online, able to get access to your customer’s or employees’ information. Leaving you and others in a dangerous position.

If criminals gain access to any of the sensitive information you hold, you never know what could happen. You may lose your customers, lose your employees – but ultimately, you could lose your business or your job.

You’ve worked too hard, too many long hours for somebody to swoop in and steal it all away from you. The best way to stop this from happening is to stop it in its tracks. Monitor the dark web now.

How You Can Get A Dark Web Scansection_8

There are many providers of dark web scanning in the UK. These companies will keep an eye on the dark web for you and send you alerts if your business’ information is found. That means that emails, phone numbers, passwords and more will be found quickly, and usually before anything has happened.

This being the case, you should be able to change your information or secure it without much harm being done.

Who Are The Different Providers of Dark Web Scanning In The UK?section_9

There are many different providers of dark web scanning in the UK. Dark web monitoring tools all have different features, so make sure to do your research before choosing one.

Key Factors to Look For Include:

• How often the service scans the dark web
• If the service offers 24/7 monitoring
• If they also monitor deep web sites

The Most Popular Dark Web Monitoring Service:

• Experian
• ClearScore

Overall: ‘Should I get dark web monitoring?’section_10

Yes. Both personally and professionally, you should always check for your information to be on the dark web. You need to protect both you and your business. Don’t fall victim to hackers stealing your information, it’s not worth it when you can get a simple check.

Your sensitive information (such as email addresses, customer information, and bank details) can be sold online on the dark web. To stop this from happening, you need to make sure you are consistently monitoring the dark web to keep your information safe from falling in the wrong hands. Don’t let your business be swiped from under you – you need to keep your job! Use Dark Web Scanning now.

If you’re looking for more information about how to keep your business safe from hackers, contact us today. We are happy to speak to you about more ways you can keep your sensitive information safe online.

Here at Onestop IT, we are cybersecurity specialists for small to medium businesses (SMBs). We are here to help with all your business needs.