Cyber criminals are constantly evolving their methods, but their biggest leverage for growth will always be exploiting the human factor. Software and physical measures against cyber attacks have become so advanced that tricking workers is the only remaining attack vector criminals can reliably use. According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Report, 74...

With roughly 5 billion people—a whopping 65% of the global population—sending and receiving SMS messages, it’s no wonder that hackers have taken to SMS as a new way to lead cyber attacks. In 2022, 68.4 million Americans fell victim to a phone scam. And only 65% of Americans say they would delete a text if it came from an unknown sender. With these...

For those of a certain age, you may remember the old gag where you would call up a business and ask if they had “Prince Albert in a can.” This happened way back in the days when you could purchase loose tobacco in a tin can. Prince Albert was one such product. Now, if the person on the phone answered yes, you could say, “Well, let him out!” Yes, this is what pranks looked like in the 1960s. Fast...

The results of Fortra’s Gone Phishing Tournament are here, and they highlight the potential power and danger of phishing across the world. This global test uncovered that 1 in 10 individuals are susceptible to these attacks, which would have led to 90,000 compromised passwords if the campaign had been an actual cyber attack. This year’s tournament featured an updated email and landing page to...

Valentine’s Day isn’t just a day for romance. It’s a time of year when cyber criminals and scammers launch attacks such as phishing, vishing, smishing, and social engineering. Australia has begun issuing warnings to singles, informing them of the “pig butchering” or “romance baiting” scam that’s prominent on Valentine’s Day. It starts with the attacker assuming the identity of an attractive and...

With Valentine’s Day upon us, our thoughts turn to love, compatibility, and cyber security. As Cupid strings his bow this Valentine’s Day, let’s explore how the stars might be influencing your approach to online security. Are you a Leo who roars against cyber threats, or a Pisces swimming through the sea of digital privacy? Remember, while the universe might hold many mysteries, your cyber...

QR codes have come a long way since being invented in 1994 by a subsidiary of Toyota. Initially introduced to address some limitations of barcodes during the car manufacturing process, QR codes have since become staples in people’s day-to-day lives. The introduction of high-powered cameras to most modern smartphones is what allowed these codes to gain new uses. QR codes, easily generated and cost...

While industries like banking and software can be devastated by cyber attacks, no other field is impacted by hackers like healthcare. As an example, it’s hard to forget attacks like the ransomware that brought all 400 locations of Universal Health Services to a standstill for months in the United States. Healthcare facilities often can’t operate if they don’t have access to crucial information...

Say, have you heard anything about supply chains lately? Of course, you have. This phrase has entered the zeitgeist with more gusto than Taylor Swift oozing rizz in a Chiefs jersey. When we talk about the price of things, be they groceries or concert tickets, the conversation inevitably turns to someone remarking on “the supply chain,” and the rest of us nod knowingly. Which is to say, supply...

As 2023 comes to an end, one thing is certain: cyber security is still a prime concern for most companies. While industries like healthcare and retail are still more heavily impacted than any other, a concerning trend has emerged in regard to the variety of organizations being targeted by cyber criminals. This variety accounted for a staggering 20% increase in data breaches compared to 2022. More...

The rise of generative AI like ChatGPT and Midjourney has been one of this decade’s most revolutionary technological advancements. This technology has allowed businesses to scale their operations more efficiently and enabled entirely new functionalities within existing tools. While generative AI has had a largely positive impact on the world, its negative aspects cannot be ignored. From text to...

E-commerce growth is expected to grow by 9.4% by 2024; by 2027, it’s forecasted to hit a whopping $8 trillion for the first time. More people shopping online means more opportunities for cyber criminals to strike. In fact, there’s a growing trend of cyber scams taking place during the holiday shopping spree. As we all get busy with our holiday shopping and preparations, keeping security in mind...

As cyber criminals keep innovating, coming up with new and more damaging attacks every year, it’s crucial for organizations worldwide to train their staff to recognize these threats. According to a study by Mastercard, a staggering 95% of data breaches are due to human error. This statistic highlights the critical importance of training employees on modern cyber threats. Maintaining employee...

With cyber attacks posing a significant threat to businesses, especially to small ones where 60% don’t survive such an incident, the importance of regular and effective cyber security awareness training is more evident than ever. But what defines “regular?” What makes “effective?” This article explores the crucial aspect of training frequency. It’s not just about whether your employees undergo...

Retail stores are one of the oldest ways humans exchange goods and services. As they evolve, one of the most significant shifts they have undergone is the dramatic increase in technology integration within their operations. From tools to check stock to staffing management and cash registers, retail stores rely heavily on technology for almost every aspect of their business. Unfortunately, all...

Between 2022 and 2023, business email compromise (BEC) attacks rose by 55%. Furthermore, organizations that manage over 5,000 email accounts are 90% likely to receive at least one BEC attack weekly. Email is one of the most frequently used tools for both personal and professional communication. But with its convenience and accessibility also comes an onslaught of malicious threats that deliver...

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are excellent opportunities for consumers to get hold of some great deals, they are also ideal for cyber criminals to execute cyber crimes and scams. Research shows that global e-commerce fraud is increasing, causing losses amounting to $41 billion in 2022. Later this year, the predicted losses are expected to exceed $48 billion. The retail industry is the...

Voice-based cyber attacks have existed for a long time and have wreaked havoc worldwide. They are a low-effort, high-reward attack that can be scaled to extreme heights with very little effort apart from finding phone number lists to call. This is part of the reason why vishing attacks have seen a 54% increase in 2022. A potentially even more aggravating factor is the recent drastic improvements...