Our annual analysis of the most notorious malware has arrived. As always, it covers the trends, malware groups, and tips for how to protect yourself and your organization. This post covers highlights of our analysis, including the rise of ransomware as a service (RaaS), the six nastiest malware groups, and the role of artificial intelligence in both cybersecurity and cyberthreats. Malware shifts to RaaS To say cybercriminals have come a long way since their humble beginnings—when floppy disks were used to spread malware infections—is an understatement. Their tactics have evolved significantly ..read more

Cybercrime is on the rise. The number of ransomware attacks has increased by 18%, while the worldwide volume of phishing attacks doubled to 500 million in 2022. Depending on the size of the business, one-third to two-thirds of businesses suffer malware attacks in any given year. And those attacks are costing companies a lot of money. In 2022, American businesses lost $10.3 billion to data breaches and cybercrime. This is all happening while companies are spending trillions digitizing their business operations and trying to obtain secure cyber insurance while keeping up with regulatory changes ..read more

When it comes to keeping sensitive data safe, email encryption is a necessity. But it doesn’t have to be a necessary evil. Too many employees and IT experts have experienced the pain of trying to use a needlessly complicated email encryption solution. There’s the endless steps, the hard-to-navigate portals, and the time-consuming processes that add up to a frustrating experience for most. If this is the experience you’ve come to expect, Webroot Email Encryption powered by Zix is here to surprise you. Webroot simplifies, streamlines, and secures the encryption process making email security easi ..read more

No matter how old you are, it is important to learn how to stay safe online! According to a study conducted by Learning Innovation, more than 93% of students have access to smartphones and laptops. Cyber threats show no sign of slowing down, which is why it is important to stay up to date on security best practices. That’s one of the many reasons why we are so passionate about partnering with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana to help girls be more cyber aware. Girl Scouts is a volunteer led organization that stretches from coast to coast to help girls bring their dreams ..read more

Online dating scams are on the RiseAccording to the FBI, Americans lost $1 billion in 2021 due to online dating scams; 2022 numbers are expected to be higher.   Romance scammers are masters of disguise. They lead people on with talk of love and then attempt to trick them into giving money or personal data. As demonstrated by The Tinder Swindler, anyone at any age can be manipulated into a romance scam.  Dating sites and apps are a convenient and easy way to find a match. They also present an ideal opportunity to fool unsuspecting hearts with common scams like:    pret ..read more

The welcoming of a new year also welcomes the return of one of the most overused sayings in our shared lexicon: “New Year, New Me!” While there are countless overused resolutions like starting a workout regimen, the new year does provide an opportunity for additional self-improvement that most people never consider – bolstering cybersecurity protections. If the beginning of the new year follows the trends of the last, there’s a good chance phishing will spike in the first four months of 2023. Rather than take a vacation to spend their holiday earnings, cybercriminals are using the new year as ..read more

The end of year holidays mark the busiest time of the year for online shoppers. We’re all rushing around trying to find the right gift that doesn’t break the budget. Throw in family time and stress can get out of hand. Sadly, this time also marks one of the busiest times of year for online hackers. With the flurry of activity online, they know they’ve got ample targets. Of course, not all targets are equal. Hackers would rather make a quick buck than spend their time forcing their way through in-depth security. That’s why it’s so important to follow the 5 most important rules for online shoppi ..read more

The risk of becoming a victim of identity theft has never been greater We are increasingly living our lives in the digital realm. Whether we’re banking, purchasing or browsing, our daily activities are most likely taking place online. Not only has this sped up our efficiency, but it has also expanded our exposure to a host of cybercriminals who are eager to use our personal information. According to the Federal Trade Commissioner (FTC), incidents of identity theft and related fraud rose nationwide in the United State in 2021. Consumers lost more than 5.8 billion, skyrocketing over 70% from the ..read more

Small and medium-size business (SMB) leaders have a lot on their minds. The looming recession and inflation have created financial uncertainty. Meanwhile, the global rise in sophisticated ransomware threats and geo-political tensions are escalating cyber threats. With so many factors and pressures at play, how are SMBs navigating this challenging business landscape while fighting back against cybercriminals? Insight from OpenText Security Solutions’ 2022 Global Ransomware SMB Survey sheds light on security priorities, concerns and posture. Feedback from SMBs across multiple industries and coun ..read more

Regional restrictions on NFL game broadcasts and rising membership fees on streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus are just some reasons why frustrated consumers turn to illegal streaming sites. Marketed as an alternative to legitimate streaming services, illegal streaming sites have become a portal to connect criminals directly to you (their target). Unlike official streaming platforms that generate revenue from advertising or user subscriptions, illegal streaming sites must find alternative ways to make money—even if that means giving cybercriminals access to your information. No ..read more