The year-end rush is a gift to scammers. Impersonation. Payment switch-ups. “Do me a favor, buy gift cards.” These aren’t clumsy scams—they’re scripted cons built on research about your company. One gap in process is all it takes.

Why firms get hit in December:

Speed over scrutiny: filings, vendor payments, year-end bonuses.

If there’s one cybersecurity upgrade every business should make, it’s enabling multifactor authentication (MFA).

MFA adds a second step when logging in—like a text code or app prompt—so even if your password is compromised, the hacker hits a dead end.

Smart devices—cameras, doorbells, thermostats—are everywhere. And while they offer convenience and safety, they also come with hidden risks.

Hackers know that many of these devices are installed without changing default passwords or updating firmware.

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Stretching your IT budget is smart—but clinging to outdated tech?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.