Trick or Threat?
Why the Dark Web is No Urban Legend
This time of year, it’s normal to get a little spooked. Ghosts, goblins, and jump scares are all part of the Halloween fun. But there’s one threat hiding in the dark that’s no joke—and it could be targeting your business without you even knowing it.
We’re talking about the dark web.
No costume. No warning. Just your business credentials—out there in the shadows.
Here’s what you need to know about the dark web, how your data might end up there, and how to find out if your business is at risk.
What Is the Dark Web?
Think of the internet like an iceberg.
The part we use every day—Google, websites, social media—is just the tip. Beneath that is the deep web (things like databases, private portals, or paid content). But below that lies the dark web—a hidden corner of the internet that can’t be found by regular search engines. It’s only accessible with special software that lets users stay anonymous.
While not everything on the dark web is illegal, it’s where criminals go to buy, sell, and trade stolen information. This includes login credentials, credit card numbers, medical records, and more.
If your business email or password has ever been leaked in a data breach, there’s a chance it’s floating around in that underground marketplace.
How Does Business Info End Up There?
You might think, “We’ve never been hacked, so we’re safe.”
But here’s the scary truth: you don’t have to be hacked directly to be exposed.
Let’s say one of your employees uses their work email to sign up for a service—maybe a webinar, a small app, or an online store. That third-party service gets breached, and now your company email and password are stolen and uploaded to the dark web.
Or maybe someone reused the same password across multiple sites. (We’ve all done it.) If one of those sites gets compromised, hackers will try that same combo everywhere—from your email system to your payroll portal.
This is how attackers find backdoors into businesses just like yours.
Why Small Businesses Are Easy Targets
Big companies make headlines when they get hacked. But small businesses are often easier and more profitable targets.
Here’s why:
- Less security: Smaller companies may not have full-time IT staff or advanced protections in place.
- Reused passwords: Without proper training or password tools, employees tend to reuse credentials.
- Slower to respond: Many small businesses don’t know they’ve been exposed until it’s too late.
A single compromised email account can lead to fraud, stolen data, locked files, or even access to your client list.
And in many cases, business owners had no idea their info was out there.
How Can You Tell If You’re at Risk?
Unfortunately, you can’t just search the dark web on your own. It’s not like Googling your business name. These sites are hidden, encrypted, and often password-protected themselves.
That’s why we offer a free dark web scan—a simple way to check if any of your business email addresses or passwords have been found in known breaches.
It only takes a minute, but it could save you from a costly nightmare later.
What Happens If You Find Something?
If the scan reveals that your credentials are on the dark web, don’t panic—but do take action quickly.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Change any affected passwords immediately.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
- Make sure your team knows not to reuse passwords across personal and work accounts.
- Consider a password manager to create and store strong, unique logins.
And if you’re unsure what to do next, we’re here to help.
Don’t Let Your Data Lurk in the Shadows
Cybercriminals don’t knock before they strike. They quietly scan for exposed data, reuse stolen logins, and look for open doors. The good news? You don’t have to let them in.
This October, while you’re handing out candy and decorating pumpkins, take one small step to protect your business. Let us run a free dark web scan and shine a light on what’s hiding out there.
You might not see it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.