AI isn’t just changing how we work—it’s transforming how cybercriminals operate.
From deepfake voicemails that sound just like your CEO to phishing emails crafted by AI with perfect grammar and branding, the game has changed. And small businesses are often the first to get caught off guard.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to have an honest look at what’s really putting businesses at risk. Spoiler alert: it’s not always sophisticated hackers—it’s the simple, everyday stuff.
Here are four common habits that quietly leave businesses exposed:
1. Reusing Passwords Across Accounts
One breached login can be used to access dozens of platforms.
Stretching your IT budget is smart—but clinging to outdated tech? That’s expensive in the long run.
Here are five warning signs it’s time to upgrade:
1. Still Running Windows 10 or Older
Support is ending. Continuing past 2025 invites security risks and compliance issues.
Cybersecurity myths aren’t just wrong—they’re risky. Let’s debunk five of the most dangerous ones:
1. “It Won’t Happen To Us”
Wrong. SMBs are often *more* attractive targets because of weaker defenses.
2. “If It Worked Then, It’ll Work Now”
Cybercrime evolves constantly.
When it comes to protecting your business from cyberthreats, the basics still matter. In fact, IBM’s 2023 Cost Of A Data Breach Report revealed that most attacks could’ve been stopped with simple safeguards. That’s where cyber hygiene comes in.
Let’s be honest—Windows 10 has been holding down the fort for years. But come October 14, 2025, Microsoft is pulling the plug. No more updates. No more patches. No more lifeline.
If you're still running Windows 10, this isn't just a tech notice—it’s a warning.
You didn’t mean to train the next generation of cybercriminal tools. But if your team is pasting sensitive client data into public AI models, that’s exactly what’s happening.
In a world of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other generative AI platforms, even one misplaced case summary could expose more than you realize.
For most people, August is a breather. For cybercriminals? It’s showtime.
Company inboxes fill with vacation replies, last-minute travel updates, and schedule changes. And that’s exactly the kind of chaos attackers count on. When staff return from time off, scanning emails too fast, the chance of falling for a phishing scam skyrockets.
Why Cyber Insurance May Deny Your Claim—And What to Do About It
A breach today isn’t just about stolen data—it’s about lost trust, missed deadlines, and partners asking, “Why weren’t we covered?”
With the average breach now costing $4.88 million, insurance alone won’t save you.
Imagine locking every door in your house, only to realize the intruder had a key. That’s what today’s cyberattacks look like—and many firms are prime targets.
Hackers no longer need to brute-force their way into your systems. They simply log in, using compromised credentials, stale passwords, or deceptive MFA prompts.
