The Dark Web, It’s not a nice place. August 5, 2021 – Posted in: Cyber Security, News – Tags: Cyber Security
Your details could be within the Dark Web, what’s that?
The internet consists of 3 varied tiers, the front and foremost face of the internet is the ‘Public Web’ forming around 4% of the world wide web, It’s what we all see when we load up a browser, including services like websites and social media platforms. The second tier is known as the ‘Deep web’, totalling an incredible 93% of the internet, this is where all the private servers & systems are stored, such as cloud databases and CRM services. This leaves the final tier 3% of the internet, typically closed off to everyday users, as it’s known for illegal activity, is the ‘Dark Web. A prime location for criminals, being untraceable and difficult to access.
How & Why did my details get there?
Initially, by a Cyber Hacker. If they’ve been successful in operating a malicious attack, they will have a list of user login credentials from a specific system or service; all of these details will have value to other criminals, in which is the reason for why they are sold with others from around the world.
The Hacking community want to defraud your life, steal your all important information, empty your bank account and use this against you through a variety of ways.
Should I be concerned or worried at all?
Yes, you should most definitely be worried. You will have no recollection of being defrauded, Hackers act in the dark, and if they have successfully stolen your details they will likely be up for sale…
As long as you don’t use the same password for all your accounts you should be fine for most part.
Unfortunately we both know that you do, this is typically a lot worse. Whether its the same password for email addresses, Login IDs across various platforms you access, whether that’s for online banking, social media platforms and even online storage accounts. In this case, you are incredibly vulnerable to cyber-attack and being defrauded via your entire internet presence.
The Cyber Hacker now has access to your entire identity, this will all be stolen and altered to lock you out, including the worse case scenario of defrauding those who you connect with via any means.
What do you suggest I do?
To begin with, use a better password!
There are various services available that can search the Dark Web, identifying instantly whether you are at risk. These services will maintain a constant lookout by trawling the data within the dark web for your personal details, this can include emails, usernames & credentials. You will receive an instant response and alert if anything has been found.
If your personal details are discovered, you are immediately made aware of your vulnerabilities, hopefully giving you a chance to take immediate action in changing passwords and IDs.
Can you avoid becoming a target?
Unfortunately, you can’t. It’s virtually impossible to prevent being targeted, it’s all done at random, whether you’ve got anything of extreme value or not, one day you will be under attack. It’s better to face the truth and learn to prevent than learning to reverse time. It might be through a lack of cyber security, being a pure victim or even a mistake on someone else’s behalf.
NEVERTHELESS! You need to know when you may be at risk, then having a process in place to mitigate your overall exposure both personally, and for your business. By implementing best security practices, such as the setting of secure passwords, ensuring that you regularly change those passwords, differ the passwords & login details across different systems, and lastly, implement cyber security features such as 2-Factor / Multi-Factor Authentication (2FA/MFA).
By enforcing cyber security features, such as 2FA or MFA, you are able to add another hurdle to cyber criminals in the process of accessing web-based data & services, beyond the first-tier of only usernames and passwords. Should your password be obtained elsewhere and that person tries to access a system that you use, you’ll receive notification by text message, phone call, or email, to your device to authorise that login; therefore preventing cyber criminals from getting to your data.
Want to get the best cyber security for your business?
At Ontraq, we take a security first approach to everything that we do with technology.
If you have any concerns, questions or simply want to explore how to better secure your business, please do get in touch with the team for a FREE demonstration and initial consultation to explore how exposed your business might actually be.
To book a consultation or to arrange a further discussion, please get in touch.