Full Criminal Access To Your Small Business Only $600 On Dark Web

Mar 02 2025 · Views: 44,442

Small businesses are increasingly being targeted by hackers-for-hire selling illegal access to corporate networks at rock-bottom prices. A new investigation by Guardz Research Unit revealed that admin-level access to one U.S. law firm was offered on the dark web for just $600 — highlighting how affordable and dangerous the hire a hacker economy has become.

Hackers-for-Hire Targeting SMBs

The Guardz team discovered hundreds of listings where dark web hackers advertised services designed to exploit smaller businesses. Unlike large enterprises with in-house cybersecurity teams, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) often lack the resources to defend themselves. That makes them disproportionately vulnerable to ransomware, stolen credentials, and unpatched exploits.

“Cybercriminals are treating small businesses like goldmines – because they can,” said Tal Eisner, VP of product marketing at Guardz. Sensitive financial data, legal documentation, and client records make SMBs prime targets, and hack-for-hire groups have moved in to exploit the gap.

Dark Web Services for Sale

According to the report, three categories of services dominate the hackers-for-hire market for small businesses:

• Exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities – Over 15% of listings offered access through flaws disclosed years ago, still left unpatched.
• Sale of stolen credentials – Compromised Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and VPN logins are routinely traded on dark web forums.
• Ransomware-as-a-service – Attackers employ double extortion tactics, encrypting files and threatening to leak stolen data if ransoms are not paid.

The Bigger Risk

Guardz CEO Dor Eisner warned: “Cybercrime has become an industry of its own, and enterprises are no longer the sole or main targets; small businesses are its new favorite victims – whether they realize it or not.” For just a few hundred dollars, attackers can disrupt operations, hold data hostage, or share unauthorized access to corporate networks with other criminals.

Protecting Small Businesses

The report stresses that SMBs must take the hire a hacker threat seriously. Closing basic security gaps, applying patches, adopting proactive monitoring, and training staff can significantly reduce exposure. As Dor Eisner concluded, “Small businesses can protect their operations, preserve client trust, and safeguard their success in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.”