It’s time to declutter your digital life! National Clean Out Your Computer Day, celebrated on the second Monday of February, is the perfect reminder to give your computer the attention it deserves. Just like a cluttered desk can slow you down, a cluttered computer can impact productivity – and even put your data at risk.

It’s game time – and while the biggest teams are gearing up for football’s biggest day, cybercriminals are busy preparing their playbook for 2025. Just like a championship game, the battle against hackers requires strategy, teamwork and preparation.

By this point, most people’s Social Security numbers (SSNs), a.k.a. one of the most important pieces of data assigned to you, have found their way onto the dark web. Thanks to breaches at major companies, government sites and even health care providers, millions of SSNs are floating around in cybercriminal circles.

Cyberthreats have evolved so quickly that what once seemed like science fiction is now reality. From AI-driven cyber-attacks to the power of quantum computing, the cybersecurity challenges of 2025 are shaping up to be both innovative and unnerving. Here's a look at some of the biggest threats on the horizon and what small and medium-sized businesses can do now to prepare.

In 2024, cyberthreats are no longer just a big-business problem. In fact, large corporations with deep pockets are not the primary target for most cybercriminals. Less well-defended small and medium-sized businesses are increasingly at risk, with the average cost of a data breach now totaling over $4 million (IBM). For many smaller businesses, an incident like this could be devastating.

Have you ever casually talked about a product or service while your phone was nearby and then suddenly started seeing ads for it on your social media feed? Your phone is listening. If that concerns you, this should really worry you: your devices are tracking you too! From the phone itself to the apps you download and access, there are multiple ways that your device can ping your location.

As you likely heard, Windows 10 will reach its end of life on October 14, 2025. This means Microsoft will no longer offer free security updates, non-security updates and technical support on this version. That does not mean the PCs will no longer work; it simply means you are on your own to keep your device secure and functioning efficiently.

Ah, the holiday season – when everything gets festive, sales go up and your to-do list grows longer than your wish list. For businesses, this time of year can be make-or-break, but while you’re decking the halls, your IT infrastructure might be decking you with unwanted downtime and cyberthreats.

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.