The hidden part of the internet, which is not accessible to most people is called dark web. Research shows that dark web has become a hub for illegal activities. The dangers posed by this secretive portal to the business world are undeniable.
This is because dark web is a home to many highly skilled cyber criminals and hackers. They have wreck havocked on multiple organizations in the past few years. From selling stolen corporate data to triggering insider threats, dark web incidents can take many shapes.
Malicious actors can even purchase or rent malware to launch attacks on their targets. Do you want to learn more about the risks that this invisible web? Keep reading the article, as it will shed light on the top dark web threats faced by businesses today.
5 Common Dark Web Threats Businesses Must Be Aware Of
Do you know that not all of the websites you can access through common web browsers are? There are some sites that you cannot see or visit using browsers like Google. These sites are commonly known as the dark web, and most of them are used for criminal acts. Your business might not be immune to their detrimental effects. This portion of the internet can be used for identity theft, phishing schemes, and ransomware attacks. Let’s focus on the five common dark web threats businesses must be aware of:
Stolen Data Sell
Dark web serves as a lucrative marketplace for cybercriminals. They can sell or buy all kinds of stolen corporate data to fulfil their sinister agendas. It has emerged as one of the biggest threats dark web poses to businesses. If your sensitive information gets stolen, it might be immediately uploaded on dark web for sell.
This data usually include personal information, financial details, social security numbers, customers’ insights, and more. A malicious actor can buy these records to execute financial frauds, identity theft, and other similar activities.
If this happens, your company’s image, economic stability, and clients’ safety can be endangered. It is important to seek help from an expert to avoid such unwanted circumstances. Businesses opt for cyber security services UAE based providers to keep their critical data from being stolen and sold on dark web.
Insider Attacks
Sometimes business owners succeed in protecting their establishments from the external threats. However, while doing so, they ignore the threat that may come from inside of their workplaces. Insider attacks are common cybersecurity incidents that a trusted employee or partner launches.
Dark web acts as a facilitator for such incidents. There are websites that target the most vulnerable employees and recruit them. They can use several ways to do so, including offering financial benefits or blackmailing.
Such incidents are more dangerous because businesses might not be able to detect them. The involvement of a seemingly trustworthy individual can make them difficult to identify. Imposing a robust security policy and spreading awareness among your staff can decrease the risk of such issues.
Malware-as-a-Service
As described earlier, dark web is a marketplace for criminal activities. Here, cybercriminals and hackers can buy tools to help them breach into a company’s computer network. Malware-as-a-service is such business model that exists on these websites.
These services provide fraudsters with the opportunity to buy or rent malicious software. These are usually ready-made and come in many forms with different functionalities. MaaS providers can even develop custom malware with desired features.
This has increased the likelihood of cyberattacks on organizations. That is why data breaches, operational disruptions, and financial losses have become more common than ever. Implementing strong cybersecurity measures is necessary to prevent the risk of such incidents.
Identity Theft
Acquiring personal information and using it to steal the identity of a victim is called identity theft. Cybercriminals can exploit social security numbers, bank credentials, and credit card details to commit identity fraud. It is one of the five common dark web threats businesses must be aware of.
Criminals can buy the personal information of their targets from the dark web to launch such attacks. These often result in the following consequences for companies:
- Reputational damage
- Financial losses
- Legal issues
- Loss of customer trust
- Regulatory penalties
Securing identification methods, using encryption, and employing other cybersecurity approaches can prevent these attacks. Seeking help from an expert is also crucial. You can reach out to companies for cyber security services in UAE to achieve the milestone.
Ransomware 2.0
Do you know your company’s or personal information can be held as hostage? With malicious software, known as ransomware, cybercriminals can encrypt your computer network and lock all the data, demanding ransom. Cybercriminals have developed a more advanced type of such attacks, called ransomware 2.0.
It is one of the five common dark web threats businesses must be aware of. The dark web works as a buffer for such attacks, resulting in the following consequences for organizations:
- Increased risk of double extortion
- Supply chain infiltration
- Substantial financial losses
- Slowing down business progress
- Loss of potential revenue
Keep your software updated, use strong passwords, perform regular updates, and incorporate network segmentation to avoid the risk of above incidents. A cybersecurity expert can help you implement these approaches more effectively.
Conclusion
Today, businesses face a greater threat from dark web. It has increased the probability of identity theft, data breaches, and insider attacks. If you want to protect your business from the detrimental effects of dark web, contact a professional cybersecurity service.