How much damage can stolen data cause your business before you even notice? The NETGEAR dark web watchdog aims to close this security gap.
Its new monitoring feature alerts users to exposed personal information and recommends steps to take back control.
What Is the Dark Web?
The dark web is the hidden underbelly of the internet. It’s a private network where users operate specialized software like Tor to enhance anonymity.
While it has legitimate uses for online privacy protection, cybercriminals have turned it into a marketplace for buying, selling, and trading stolen business data, including:
- Corporate credentials (employee login names, passwords, and session tokens)
- Financial data (credit card numbers, bank account details, and payment processor accounts)
- Proprietary intellectual property (trade secrets, source code, and internal corporate documents)
- Customer and employee information
If you believe your company isn’t a “worthwhile” target, think again. Many threat actors go after small and medium-sized businesses because their security systems are often less sophisticated.
Dark Web Monitoring Helps Minimize the Damage
Dark web monitoring is the ongoing process of searching and tracking hidden, encrypted online networks, underground forums, private chat rooms, and illicit marketplaces for stolen or leaked corporate data.
This technology complements antivirus software and consumer identity protection programs by alerting users when monitored information appears in known breaches.
A New Tool From NETGEAR
NETGEAR recently announced that all Armor and Armor Plus subscribers can now access the Dark Web Monitoring feature in their app. As soon as the service detects exposed digital identity information, it sends timely, actionable data breach alerts directly to your NETGEAR Armor app.
This feature also tells you exactly what was exposed and ranks your exposure with an Identity Protection Score. This gives you the early warning you need to change credentials and implement multi-factor authentication before cybercriminals can use the leaked information to access your network.
While the feature doesn’t provide comprehensive monitoring of company documents, source code, or business assets, it can identify personal information linked to the email addresses and phone numbers users register. This offers a helpful first line of defense for small businesses.
Keeping Your Company Data Off the Dark Web
While tools like NETGEAR Armor help mitigate risk, prevention is always better than a cure. Consider incorporating the following practices into your data security routine:
- Train your team regularly. Human error is a major entry point for hackers. Run routine phishing simulations and security awareness training so employees know how to spot sketchy emails and links.
- Encrypt your data. Sensitive data should stay encrypted both “at rest” (when stored on servers or laptops) and “in transit” (when being sent back and forth).
- Restrict access. Refine access permissions so employees can access only the data and systems they absolutely need to do their jobs.
- Vet your third-party vendors. Sometimes, hackers get into your company’s network through a partner or vendor with weak security. Any third party handling your data should follow strict cybersecurity standards.
These proactive steps, combined with services like the NETGEAR dark web watchdog, can make your business more resilient against today’s threat actors.
