With Halloween in the rearview and lingering decorations being taken down, there’s another kind of darkness lurking online. While it sounds like something out of a horror movie, the Dark Web is a very real threat that MSPs need to understand and help their clients guard against. When people hear the term “Dark Web”, if often conjures up images of hackers, cybercriminals, and hidden corners of the internet filled with illegal activity. While there is some truth to that perception, the reality is far more complex; understanding it is crucial for both MSPs and their clients.
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What is the Dark Web?
The internet can be divided into three layers:
- Surface Web: The portion we use every day; Google searches, social media, online shopping, and news sites. The Surface Web is easily accessible and indexed by standard search engines.
- Deep Web: Legitimate but non-indexed areas of the web, such as private databases, password-protected portals, and cloud storage.
- Dark Web: A small section of the Deep Web that requires special software like Tor (The Onion Router) to access. The Dark Web is intentionally hidden and anonymous, allowing users to mask their identity and location.
While some people use the Dark Web for privacy-focused activities (such as whistleblowing or secure communication under oppressive regimes), it’s also a hub for cybercrime, including the sale of stolen credentials, malware, and sensitive business data.
How to Monitor and Mitigate Dark Web Threats
You can’t “remove” information from the Dark Web, but you can monitor, detect, and respond effectively:
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Dark Web Monitoring Tools: Use platforms that scan Dark Web sources for stolen credentials, domains, or company information. The Breach Secure Now portal offers Dark Web monitoring that alerts client’s when their email or data appears in Dark Web databases.
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Employee Education: Train users on phishing awareness, password hygiene, and the importance of MFA (multi-factor authentication). Human error is still the easiest way attackers gain access.
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Incident Response Planning: Develop a clear process for how to react if compromised credentials are found. Reset passwords, notify affected users, and investigate potential breaches.
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Regular Security Assessments: Routine vulnerability scans, patch management, and endpoint protection can help prevent the initial data theft that fuels Dark Web activity.
How MSPs Should Talk to Clients About the Dark Web
Clients don’t need technical jargon, they need context and reassurance. Here’s how MSPs can position the conversation:
- Make It Relatable: Explain that the Dark Web is like a “black market” for stolen data. Their business data, including employee emails and passwords, could be listed for sale without them knowing.
- Position it as Proactive Protection: Offer Dark Web monitoring as value-added security service, not a fear tactic. The goal is to give clients early warning signs before breaches become costly.
- Tie It to Business Risk: Emphasize that reputation loss, compliance violations, and operational downtime are far more expensive than preventative security measures.
The Dark Web isn’t going away but understanding it and monitoring it are key parts of modern cybersecurity. For MSPs, it’s an opportunity to educate clients, enhance service offerings, and build trust through transparency and protection.
By helping clients understand what the Dark Web is (and how to stay one step ahead of it) MSPs strengthen not only their cybersecurity posture but also their long-term relationships.
