There have been many instances of affected companies learning about the breach of their data months and even years after the incident. And needless to say, it poses a massive problem for the company and the customers whose data is leaked on the dark web.
What Is the Dark Web?
We all access the internet to browse websites, social media or search the web. While it may seem quite vast, the part that we usually access is only a tiny fraction of the web. This part only consists of around 1-4% of the internet – the remaining part forms the dark web.
The dark web consists of sites hidden from public view which cannot be accessed by the usual search engines like Google or Bing. Instead, one can only access the dark web through a unique browser named Tor, which allows them to browse anonymously without revealing their location or IP address.
But all activities on the dark web are not necessarily illegal. In fact, most of it is used for harmless purposes like browsing, communication, or gaming by people who value their privacy a lot. But it is equally famous for several types of illegal activities, including the sale of stolen data
How Can A Dark Web Scan Help?
You may think that you can avoid data theft by ensuring strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, etc., but these may not be effective in all circumstances. For instance, if hackers breach the website or app you are using, they can easily access your company’s sensitive data.
A dark web scan can help alert you in case your data is stolen so that you can take the necessary steps like changing your credentials or informing the concerned people immediately. It works by constantly scanning the stolen data up for sale on the dark web to identify whether your information is present among them. You can easily access several free dark web scanning services online.
While it cannot scan the entire dark web due to the search limitations, it’s the best bet to find out if you or your company have experienced a data leak.
Dark Web Monitoring Can Ensure Data Safety
The best way to ensure data safety is to engage in dark web monitoring regularly. Since you never know when hackers might target your information, it’s best to stay on the safe side by running constant scans on the dark web to identify any signs of stolen data. In addition, you can avail both free and paid dark web monitoring services to secure your information.
Summing Up
While it may seem difficult to ascertain whether your company data has been leaked on the dark web or not, it is not absolutely impossible. With regular dark web scans and monitoring, you can stay aware of any such issues and rectify them quickly.
