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Showing posts from August, 2025

Is Your Business Training AI to Hack You?

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AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are transforming how businesses operate—helping teams write emails, summarize meetings, generate reports, and even assist with coding or spreadsheets. They’re fast. They’re efficient. And they’re everywhere. But here’s the issue: when used carelessly, AI tools can become a security risk—especially for small businesses. The Risk Isn’t the Technology. It’s How People Use It. Most AI platforms are designed to learn from what users input. That means if an employee pastes confidential data into a public AI tool, that information could be stored, analyzed, or even used to train future models . This is how sensitive data—financial records, client details, proprietary strategies—can accidentally end up outside your control. In fact, Samsung made headlines in 2023 when engineers unknowingly pasted proprietary code into ChatGPT. The result? An internal data leak so serious that the company banned public AI tools across the organi...

Cyber Hygiene Isn’t Optional Anymore: How To Clean Up Your Risk

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When it comes to protecting your business from cyberthreats, the basics still matter. A lot. In fact, according to IBM’s 2023 Cost Of A Data Breach Report , 82% of breaches involved data stored in the cloud , and most of them could’ve been prevented with simple, foundational safeguards. That’s where “cyber hygiene” comes in – your business’s version of daily handwashing. No, it’s not sexy. But it’s essential. And if you’re skipping the basics, you’re asking for trouble. Here are four cyber hygiene essentials every small business should have on lock: Keep your network secure. Keep your Internet connection secure by encrypting your business’s sensitive data and using a firewall. Keep your WiFi network protected and hidden with a Service Set Identifier (SSID); this allows you to set your wireless access point or router so it doesn’t broadcast your network name. Your router should also be password-protected. Finally, any remote employees should use a virtual private network, or VPN, t...

Windows 10 Support Ending Next Month! Here’s What It Means For You

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Warning: Microsoft will NO LONGER support Windows 10 after October 14, 2025. While PCs operating on Windows 10 will still work after this official end date, Microsoft will no longer provide the free services that keep your device working properly and securely, such as security updates and technical support. Why Is This Important For Business Owners? Security Risks: Without regular updates, your computer will become more vulnerable to viruses, malware and hackers. This could put your business data at risk, which is why upgrading to a newer version of Windows is crucial. Software Compatibility: Many software programs are updated regularly to work with the latest operating systems. After Windows 10 reaches its end of life, some of your favorite programs might not work as smoothly or could stop working altogether. Compliance Issues: If your business deals with sensitive information or follows strict regulations, using an outdated operating system could lead to compliance issues. I...

Why Phishing Attacks Spike in August—And How to Stay Protected

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You and your employees may be getting back from vacation, but cybercriminals never take a day off. In fact, data shown in studies from vendors ProofPoint and Check Point indicate that phishing attempts actually spike in the summer months. Here’s how to stay aware and stay protected. Why The Increased Risk? Summer might be winding down, but phishing attacks are just heating up. August is one of the most dangerous months for email-based cyberattacks. While your team is catching up after vacation, cybercriminals are hard at work exploiting seasonal trends, distracted employees, and increased travel-related activity. According to research from cybersecurity firms ProofPoint and Check Point, phishing attacks spike during the summer , with attackers taking full advantage of looser routines and increased online activity. Why the Risk Is Higher in August Vacation Scams Are on the Rise Check Point Research reports a 55% year-over-year increase in new vacation-related domains created...

The Average Data Breach Now Costs $4.88 Million—What Would It Cost Your Business?

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Think data breaches only happen to large corporations? Think again. Today, small businesses are the top targets for cybercriminals . And unlike the big players, most small companies don’t have the resources to absorb the fallout. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report , the average cost of a single breach is $4.88 million . That includes downtime, lost revenue, customer churn, legal expenses, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. If you’re not sure how your business would recover— or if you could recover at all —it’s time to take a closer look at your defenses. Why Small Businesses Are the New Favorite Target Hackers go where the odds are in their favor. And small businesses: Tend to have fewer security tools in place Rely heavily on their systems for daily operations Are more likely to pay ransoms to recover data or resume business Often underestimate their exposure to compliance violations The result? More attacks, more losses, and more closures. The...

Watch Out: Hackers Are Logging In—Not Breaking In

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In the past, cybercriminals would break into business systems by force—exploiting firewalls, vulnerabilities, or physical access. Not anymore. Today’s hackers are walking in the front door with something far more dangerous: your login credentials. This shift in tactics is called an identity-based attack , and it’s now one of the most common and effective ways hackers infiltrate businesses—especially small ones. The Rise of Identity-Based Cyberattacks According to cybersecurity reports, over two-thirds of serious security breaches in 2024 involved stolen credentials. Even large enterprises like MGM and Caesars were hit by this type of attack. If companies with full-time cybersecurity teams can fall victim, imagine the risk for small businesses without dedicated protection . How Hackers Are Getting In Today’s cybercriminals don’t need to “hack” their way in. Instead, they rely on deception and stolen identities to bypass security. Here are some of the most common methods: Phi...