Why the Dark Web Could Ruin Your Small Business

Many of us have our email address registered with hundreds of companies and websites. Online retailers, food supermarkets, furniture stores, online banking – not to mention several social media platforms. And there’s nothing wrong with that… unless your credentials are being sold on the Dark Web.

Your digital credentials, such as your email address, usernames and passwords, connect you and your company’s employees to business applications and online services that are often crucial to the day-to-day running of your business. This could be regular use of an online HR platform, for example. Unfortunately, criminals know this, and that’s why your small business’s digital credentials are among the most valuable assets found on the Dark Web.

It’s estimated that more than 50% of all websites on the Dark Web are used for criminal activity, and this includes the sale of digital credentials. Many big corporations and companies have had their credentials compromised, but it’s just as likely to happen to small businesses like yours. In fact, 43% of cyber-attacks are on small businesses.

When your employees use their work email address online (on websites such as HR and Payroll platforms, email services, travel sites, banking and social media, including LinkedIn), it makes your business vulnerable to a breach. Did you know that 60% of small businesses will go out of business within six months of a cyber incident?

So what can you do to stop this happening? By enlisting the expertise of an IT Service, you can have your business credentials monitored for any compromises or stolen data on the Dark Web. This is done through using Dark Web ID, which involves a combination of human and sophisticated Dark Web intelligence with search capabilities. This is a service that B&G Consultants at the Newport Pagnell Bucks Biz iCentre are currently offering.

B&G Consultants managing director George Moss explained that he can monitor the Dark Web and help alert businesses when their online credentials are found on the Dark Web. This is so important in today’s world, where compromised credentials can be used to conduct further criminal activity. Employees often use the same password for multiple services, too, which means that the potential damage from a single compromised credential is then significantly increased.

The Dark Web really could ruin your small business. George at B&G Consultants is currently offering all Bucks Biz centre businesses a FREE preliminary Dark Web scan. Contact him on 01908 973 049 or email support@bgconsultants.co.uk for more information.