The global pandemic transformed the way we conduct business, and it’s unlikely that things will ever be the same again. With the increasing reliance on online platforms for both personal and professional transactions, geographical distances and time zones have become irrelevant. However, conducting business online also comes with inherent dangers and threats that we must be aware of.
One significant threat is data breaches, where cyber criminals manage to hack into legitimate commercial website databases. Well-known companies like Facebook and T-Mobile have fallen victim to such breaches, resulting in the theft of over 550 million records. In fact, the Identity Theft Resource Center reported a staggering 68% increase in stolen data in 2021 compared to the previous year.
When your email and password used to log into a website are stolen, they end up in the hands of highly skilled and destructive cyber criminals. These criminals may also obtain other personal information, such as addresses, mobile numbers, and credit/debit card details, that you have saved on the website.
So, what happens to your stolen data?
Your stolen credentials typically end up in a hidden part of the internet known as the Dark Web, where a significant portion of cyber-criminal activity takes place. Over time, your stolen data may be used and distilled by a sequence of criminals in their efforts to create financial gain at your expense. The exact methods they use to steal from end users using stolen credentials can vary, but it’s a sophisticated and malicious process that can span months or even years.
Understanding the risks and implications of data breaches and the Dark Web is crucial for protecting your personal and business information. It’s important to take proactive measures, such as implementing strong security measures and monitoring services, to safeguard against these threats in the ever-evolving landscape of online business transactions.
As we have emphasised, cybersecurity is not limited to a single tool or service, but rather a comprehensive security suite that protects various aspects of your online presence, including email, computers, devices, and overall online activity.
Now, we can answer the initial question of why dark web security is necessary. Dark web scanning acts as a proactive measure before cyber criminals can fully exploit your breached data. By providing timely alerts about breach details, it allows you to take relevant actions to secure your account and render the stolen or breached data useless.
You can easily purchase dark web security from Geniosity at a reasonable monthly cost. A large substantial loss can be avoided with dark web security in place.
If you would like to delve deeper into this topic, please feel free to get in touch with us. We are happy to provide useful information for your business and assist you with dark web security.
For more information about dark web scanning, please visit our Dark Web Monitoring page or drop us a line.
