If you’ve taken an interest in the murky world of cybercrime, then you might have heard of something called the ‘Dark Web’. This frightening corner of the internet plays a vital role in facilitating international crime – and, if you’ve ever suffered a data breach, this is probably where any saleable pieces of data will end up.
What Is the Dark Web? Understanding Its Role in Cybercrime
First, let’s explain what, exactly, the Dark Web is. It’s distinct from the ‘Surface’ and ‘Deep’ webs, which respectively describe the parts of the internet that most people see, and the other parts that are hidden from users and search engines by passwords and paywalls.
The ‘Dark Web’ is different. It’s a marketplace for illegal activities, which might include (without being limited to), the sale of stolen data. Access to the Dark Web requires the use of a special anonymising browser, called Tor – but this is about as far as the barriers to entry go.
The Growing Problem of Data Theft: What’s at Stake for Businesses
So, what exactly is this stolen data that’s being traded on the Dark Web? It comes in many different forms. Customer information, like credit card details, addresses, and even browsing history and preferences might all be valuable to someone. Of course, if data is being sold in this way, then customers don’t have a say in who gets access to it. As a consequence, the company that is responsible for safeguarding the data might be held legally accountable under the Data Protection Act 2018, which is an implementation of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation.
How Hackers Operate on the Dark Web: Tactics, Tools, and Methods
Hackers are able to operate without fear of being caught on the Dark Web, largely thanks to a range of encryption techniques, including the aforementioned browser, Tor. They’re able to trade using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which helps to conceal the nature of the transaction. In recent years, Ticketmaster has found itself targeted by hackers, who managed to extract the personal information of around 560 million customers. Santander was also targeted by the same group of hackers.
The Impact of the Dark Web on Your Reputation and Trust
If data entrusted to you by your customers ends up on the Dark Web, then you can be reasonably sure that the same level of trust won’t be extended to you in future. This can result in a loss of business, made worse by the fact that affected customers will talk to non-affected customers, and that high-profile breaches will attract media attention. In other words, you may find it difficult to downplay an event like this.
How to Stay Protected: Proactive Cybersecurity Measures for Your Business
So, what can a business do to protect itself? Third-party cybersecurity consultants, and other outside sources of assistance, might be invaluable.
Interestingly, the techniques and tools available bear more than a passing resemblance to the ones used by hackers. They include using encryption to protect customer data, for example. What really matters is that the human beings who run your company are given adequate training in cybersecurity, and that software is kept up to date.
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