What Happens to Your Data on the Dark Web?
When we talk about the dark web, it can sound like something out of a thriller: hackers in hoodies, mysterious online marketplaces, digital espionage. But the reality is much closer to home—especially for small to mid-sized businesses.
If your business experiences a data breach, the next stop for that sensitive information is often the dark web. It’s not just big corporations being targeted anymore—your client lists, email credentials, and financial data are all valuable commodities.
Let’s take a closer look at how this all works.
How Does Data End Up on the Dark Web?
Data gets there through a few key channels:
Phishing attacks: Someone on your team clicks a link or enters credentials into a fake login page.
Unpatched software: Hackers exploit outdated systems and gain access to internal files.
Weak passwords: One compromised password can lead to a cascade of access points.
Third-party breaches: Even if your own systems are secure, a vendor or partner with lax security could be your weak link.
Once attackers collect enough data, they don’t just hold onto it—they sell it.
What’s Actually Sold on the Dark Web?
Your stolen data gets packaged into what are called credential dumps—massive collections of usernames, passwords, emails, and other details that are then auctioned off or sold for as little as a few bucks.
Here’s what’s commonly found:
Login credentials (Office365, QuickBooks, Dropbox, etc.)
Bank account information
Full identity profiles (name, address, SSN, driver's license numbers)
Health records
Corporate credit card numbers
Employee W-2 forms
Some dark web marketplaces operate like eBay—with ratings for sellers, refund policies, and even customer support. Yes, seriously.
How Hackers Make Money From Your Data
Stolen data is big business. Here’s how criminals profit:
Account Takeovers: Logging into corporate email to impersonate an exec, approve wire transfers, or reset other accounts.
Phishing 2.0: Using leaked employee info to craft ultra-targeted phishing emails that feel legitimate.
Business Email Compromise (BEC): Pretending to be your CEO, HR department, or even a vendor to trick someone into wiring money.
Extortion & Ransomware: Threatening to leak sensitive data unless you pay.
Identity Theft: Filing fraudulent tax returns, applying for credit cards, or even setting up fake businesses.
Real Example from A Local Business
We were recently contacted by a San Diego-based business that had fallen victim to a targeted phishing attack. An employee received what appeared to be a legitimate email from their CEO, urgently requesting a wire transfer for a “client project.”
The email was well-crafted—right signature, right-looking email address, and right tone. The only problem? It wasn’t from the CEO.
The attacker had used information found on the dark web—likely from a past breach involving the employee’s login credentials—to spoof the email and create a sense of urgency.
Fortunately, the employee paused and flagged the message before sending the funds. When the firm brought us in, we conducted a full investigation and discovered several warning signs:
The employee’s email was part of a previously leaked credential dump.
Several login attempts had been made from foreign IP addresses.
The email came from what looked like the CEO’s address, but on closer inspection, the domain name had one small typo—something you’d only catch if you were really paying attention.
Because of our dark web monitoring and response protocols, we were able to help the business quickly secure their accounts, reset compromised credentials, and train their team to spot future phishing attempts.
How IT TechPros Helps You Stay Safe
We offer continuous dark web monitoring to detect if any of your business’s emails, logins, or sensitive info is being circulated or sold. If there’s a match, we take immediate action—before your data becomes a bigger problem.
Here’s what proactive defense includes:
Monitoring for credential leaks 24/7
Password hygiene and education for employees
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enforcement
Routine vulnerability scans and patching
Regular phishing simulations to build awareness
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!
The dark web might feel far away, but its consequences are very real—especially for small businesses that don’t have large security teams. By understanding how your data ends up there and how it’s used, you’re already a step ahead.