KEY POINTS
- Macnica launches ANTERAS DarkWeb to find leaked data tied to known and unidentified external assets
- Service links ANTERAS ASM asset discovery with analyst-led leak analysis and response prioritization
- Launch targets ransomware prevention as Japan logged 1,021 reported cases over five years
Albert Stoynov
Macnica on September 8 launched ANTERAS DarkWeb, a dark web investigation service designed to identify leaked information linked not only to known corporate systems but also to previously unidentified assets discovered through its attack surface management platform, according to a company release.
The Yokohama-based company positioned the service as part of its preventive cybersecurity brand ANTERAS. It is intended to help companies prevent the misuse of leaked credentials, which Macnica described as a major entry point for ransomware attacks. The service covers assets including overseas offices and group companies that customers may not have fully identified internally.
ANTERAS DarkWeb uses public-facing assets such as domains and netblocks identified by ANTERAS ASM as a starting point for investigations across the surface web, deep web and dark web. Macnica analysts then provide reports that include assessments of impact and analysis of the cause of the leak.
The service evaluates exposed data from two perspectives: the type of information leaked and the cause of the leak. Based on that analysis, it identifies which risks should be addressed first according to likely impact and potential for abuse. Macnica said determining the cause of a leak can support countermeasures aimed at root causes, including stronger multi-factor authentication or malware removal.
The launch comes as ransomware remains a persistent problem in Japan. Macnica cited National Police Agency data showing 1,021 reported ransomware damage cases in Japan over the past five years. While many attacks have involved internet-exposed assets such as VPN devices and remote desktop protocol, or RDP, systems, intrusions through fully patched devices have also increased in recent years, the release said.
More than 40% of devices identified as intrusion routes had already received security patches, according to the release, citing police data. That level has remained high since 2023, indicating that abuse of legitimate credentials such as IDs and passwords is a possible route used by attackers.
Macnica said the large volume of leaked data circulating online makes it difficult for corporate information systems departments to accurately and continuously identify information relevant to their own organizations. Response priorities also vary depending on the type of credentials exposed and how the information was leaked. For example, leaked administrator accounts tied to VPNs, Active Directory, identity providers or single sign-on systems can pose different risks from credentials for individual services.
The company plans to offer the new service alongside ANTERAS ASM to help customers manage and respond to two major intrusion points: externally exposed assets and compromised credentials.
Macnica began offering its in-house developed ASM solution in Japan in June 2021. ANTERAS ASM, renamed from Macnica Attack Surface Management on May 27, 2026, can identify assets including domains and unmanaged servers that customers do not recognize, including assets at overseas locations.
Macnica operates in 100 locations across 33 countries and regions, with semiconductor distribution and cybersecurity among its core businesses.
