O2 customers’ personal details sold through dark web

Details of customers on O2 have been discovered through restricted areas of the internet.

The discovery was revealed on the latest episode of a BBC show with Victoria Derbyshire. Monday’s episode featured a security expert from Inisa Security, Mike Godfrey, who demonstrated what was available to buy through the dark web, although it was explained that the details hadn’t reached cyber criminals via a breach.

The dark web consists of a number of private networks that are only accessible by those with the required credentials or software, where products and services can be purchased anonymously.

Many of the current crop of hackers began their foray into cyber crime in the dark web. Through it, they are able to purchase false documents, malware and personal information.

James Maude, a security engineer from software company, Avcecto, said:

“Personal data is the new digital currency for cyber-criminals, and unfortunately everyone is vulnerable. As cyber-criminals do all they can to find new ways of accessing and using these sensitive details, the public and businesses need to counteract this by being aware of the threats and adopting good security practices.”

Most stories we hear about companies being affected by cyber security involve a breach. However, the dark web is equally, if not more, of a threat. This is 2016 and all businesses need a defence strategy in place to prepare for any kind of cyber threat. Ideally, the first step they would take would be to assess their IT security recruitment activities to focus on hiring the best cyber personnel their budget allows.