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Credit: Norton VPN
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Norton’s enhanced monitoring features launched amidst a spike in cyber breaches
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Dark web platforms now rapidly exchange sensitive business information
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Rising social media scams are impacting small businesses, compromising their reputations
Today’s digital landscape poses significant challenges for small businesses, as they increasingly face financial and reputational threats from unforeseen sources.
Cybercriminals are honing their techniques to specifically target smaller organizations and individual influencers who typically don’t have access to robust ransomware defenses or enterprise-level security measures.
Recent statistics from Norton reveal that cyber breaches affecting small businesses surged by over 50% in 2025, with overall data exposure increasing by 21% on a quarterly basis.
Cybercrime Poses Heightened Risks for Small Businesses
“Small businesses are now targets like any larger organization, and they require effective tools for protection against genuine threats,” stated Deval Patel, Head of Small Business at Gen.
In response, Norton has expanded its security offerings to cover two critical vulnerabilities: the circulation of stolen business data on the dark web and the rise of fraudulent activities on social media.
This updated security package aims to enhance protections against information that could be used maliciously once it becomes public.
Norton’s new “Dark Web Monitoring” feature now scans for eight additional categories of information, expanding beyond personal identifiers. These include crucial data such as Company Name, Tax ID number, and VAT numbers.
Should any of these identifiers surface on underground forums or marketplaces, the business owner receives an immediate alert.
For those considering a dark web VPN to protect their online activities, it’s essential to recognize that monitoring is just one aspect of a comprehensive security strategy.
“With the addition of enhanced Dark Web and Social Media Monitoring, along with our Financial Monitoring feature, we’re providing peace of mind in increasingly vulnerable areas,” Patel explained.
The focus is on enabling small businesses to take proactive measures before criminals can exploit their data for fraudulent activities or identity theft.
While these enhancements seem promising, their effectiveness hinges on how swiftly information appears online and how quickly Norton’s systems can detect it.
The second major addition is “Social Media Monitoring,” which targets business profiles on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
According to Norton, this capability can identify signs of account takeovers, malicious links, and other suspicious activities before the account holder can react.
For small businesses that depend on social media for marketing and customer engagement, early warnings could help mitigate financial losses and protect their reputations.
Influencers also benefit from this type of protection, as their online presence plays a crucial role in maintaining partnerships and trust with their audience.
As outlined in Gen’s Q2 Threat Report, an increase in scams, particularly concerning fraudulent advertisements and fake support schemes, highlights the interconnectedness of social media management and cybersecurity.
Norton’s recent developments indicate that even small enterprises are now encountering risks that were once primarily associated with larger organizations.
Ultimately, the success of these security tools will rely on timely and accurate detection, as well as the willingness of business owners to act on alerts, treating them as crucial indicators rather than mere background noise.
