National Public Data confirmed in September 2024 that a hacker has compromised the personal records of millions of individuals. The information exposed includes the names, e-mail addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers and even Social Security numbers of up to 2.9 billion people.

Software updates can feel like a nuisance, but skipping them is one of the easiest ways to leave your systems vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Hackers are constantly looking for weaknesses, and outdated software is like an open door to your network.

But how do you know when it’s time to update, and should you always trust your computer to tell you? Here are five clear signs it’s time to update, plus tips on how to handle updates safely.

Phishing attacks are the most common cybercrime attack for one reason…they work. Every day, over 3.4 billion spam e-mails reach unsuspecting users’ inboxes. Phishing e-mails have held the top spot as the most frequent form of attack for years because they’re easy to implement, easy to scale and continue to fool people.

Important News: Microsoft will NO LONGER support Windows 10 after October 2025! While these PCs will still work after the official end date of October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide product key free services that keep your device working properly and securely.

If you’re hoping to cut costs and boost profitability in 2024 without compromising productivity or efficiency, assessing the technology you use in day-to-day operations is one of the first areas in your business to examine.

We’ve created a road map that you can use to go step-by-step through your organization to determine if and where you can be saving money or utilizing new or better technology to improve operational efficiency.

It’s not just cybercriminals who hack into networks and steal data.

Most business owners erroneously think cybercrime is limited to hackers based in China or Russia, but the evidence is overwhelming that disgruntled employees, both of your company and your vendors, can cause significant losses due to their knowledge of your organization and access to your data and systems.

One of the common issues on the Dark Web – whether you use it or not – is the sale of passwords, bank account information, Social Security numbers, and other private data.

Hackers can breach firewalls and software to obtain this information and then go to the Dark Web to sell it to other criminals.

Now more than ever, we depend on technology to run our business (and our lives). When the "internet goes down," most businesses are at a standstill until they are back online, costing thousands in lost productivity and sales.

It's not just the BIG problems but things like file access, password protection, being able to print and recovering files or versions of files.

All across the world, hackers are targeting and exploiting security weaknesses and holding data hostage. In May, the Colonial Pipeline was hit by a cyber-attack that disrupted fuel supplies along the East Coast for several days. The company - and the FBI - paid hackers $4.4 million in Bitcoin to regain control of the system.

The past couple of years have been difficult for just about everyone. Business owners and entrepreneurs have had to adapt and evolve to survive in an ever-changing climate. There’s no telling when or even if things will go back to what we once thought was “normal.