Top tips: How to turn dark web alerts into your 1st line of defense

Top tips is a weekly column where we highlight what’s trending in the tech world and list ways to explore these trends. This week, we focus on how businesses can turn dark web alerts into their first line of defense against emerging cyberthreats.

After hearing about a burglary in your neighborhood, you might install a security camera. You double-check your house locks when you hear about thefts nearby. But what about the threats you can't see—the ones happening in the dark corners of the internet?

The dark web constitutes about 5% of the whole internet, with dark web marketplaces seeing over 500,000 regular visitors.

Unlike a physical break-in, you might never notice your company's sensitive information leaking onto the dark web. Right now, while you're reading this, there could be stolen company emails being auctioned off in a hidden marketplace. Passwords you thought were private may already be copied, sold, and used. This is the reality of the dark web—a place where exposure happens quietly, long before public headlines break the news.

Compromised email alerts are among the most common dark web notifications as billions of credentials circulate in dark web marketplaces at any given time.

Yet, many businesses treat dark web alerts like just another boring notification. Here's the thing: Dark web alerts aren’t just notifications—they’re your early warnings. These are like an extra chance offered to you to stop potential threats before they escalate into real damage.

Why most businesses miss the point about dark web alerts 

Let’s be honest: Most businesses are reactive when it comes to cybersecurity. They set up firewalls, install antivirus software, and hope that's enough. Yet here’s the problem: The dark web doesn't play by these rules. By the time a breach makes the news, it's already too late. The damage has been done.

So, why do so many companies treat dark web alerts like just another annoying notification? It's because they're stuck in an outdated mindset, thinking of alerts as just one more thing to check.

Cybercriminals are always a few steps ahead. They’re not waiting for your next security meeting. If you ignore dark web alerts, it's like you’re giving hackers a head start.

How to actually use dark web alerts (and not just have them) 

You'll find plenty of advice online telling you to monitor the dark web and act fast when an alert comes in, but what does that really mean? Here are a few ways to see it:

1. Change passwords and enable multi-factor authentication

Once you confirm a breach, immediately reset passwords for all accounts tied to the compromised data. People often set up one password for multiple accounts because it's easier to remember. If one account gets hacked, the hacker could easily try the same password on other accounts and access them, too. Each app or website should have its own unique password to reduce the risk of a wider breach. You can make this easier by using a password manager like Password Manager Pro to store and manage your passwords securely so you don’t have to remember all of them.

Additionally, enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all affected accounts to add an extra layer of security. MFA is a vital step in protecting your business from unauthorized access, even if someone has obtained login credentials.

2. Investigate the source and method of exposure

When you receive a dark web alert, it's crucial to understand how and why the data was exposed. Was it due to a phishing attack, a third-party breach, or an internal security vulnerability? Analyzing the source helps you identify the root cause of the breach and address the underlying issue, preventing similar incidents in the future. If the breach is linked to a third-party vendor, work with them to resolve the problem and review your broader supply chain risks.

3. Strengthen security measures and patch vulnerabilities

After securing accounts, it's essential to update and patch any software or systems that may have contributed to the breach. Strengthen your organization's overall security by tightening access controls, disabling inactive accounts, and reviewing security policies. Proactively addressing vulnerabilities using Vulnerability Manager Plus within your infrastructure reduces the likelihood of future breaches and enhances your security posture.

4. Look for patterns

While a single alert may seem like a minor, isolated issue, it often signals that sensitive information, like login credentials or account details, has been exposed on the dark web. If multiple alerts or repeated breaches occur within a short period, this suggests an even more significant, ongoing problem, potentially indicating persistent vulnerabilities, coordinated attacks, or gaps in your security measures. Recognizing these patterns can help you identify the root cause, tighten your defenses, and prevent further damage before a problem escalates. Analytics Plus gives you these insights so you can improve your defenses and educate your team on new threats that may emerge from the dark web. 

A final word

Ignoring a dark web alert is like ignoring someone trying to break into your house in the middle of the night. You wouldn't do that, so don't do it with your business. 

Most importantly, don't just have dark web alerts; take control of them. Customize your approach and use every alert as an opportunity to strengthen your security. In cybersecurity, the best defense is a proactive one, and dark web alerts are a powerful tool helping you stay ahead of threats.