As shown by recent high-profile hacking scandals - targeting everyone from Sony Entertainment to the extramarital-affair-facilitating website Ashley Madison - cyber crime shows no sign of disappearing any time soon. In fact, experts predict that 2016 is going to be an even busier year for cyber criminals, hackers and scammers.

The threat of being infected by malicious software is part and parcel of spending time on the internet, and no sooner have the antivirus and security software programs released an update or new patch than cyber criminals are scrambling for ways to circumvent them.

Something known as “state-sponsored cyber attacks” may not be something you have heard of until now. But with both Facebook and Google viewing the problem as serious enough to warn their users about, it seems this is an issue that could be here to stay.

It’s safe to say that malware attacks, phishing scams, and social media engineering practices are going nowhere fast. That means that, whether you are a home user or the owner or manager of a small or medium-sized business, if you choose to ignore safer online security practices you are putting your identity and the security of your company at serious risk.

Small- or medium-sized business (SMB) owners may think they’re unimportant enough to be targeted by hackers. But the truth is that SMBs are prime targets for hackers since they see these organizations — which have less security and fewer resources compared to enterprises — as easy marks.

Cyberattacks can come for any business, regardless of size or scope. Small- and mid-sized businesses, in particular, are facing an increasing risk from cybercriminals who know that these organizations often lack sufficient protective measures. With a variety of threats becoming more dangerous, it’s essential to ensure your cybersecurity solutions are up to par.

The security of business printers is often overlooked by small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). This can prove to be a big mistake because printers can be just as vulnerable to cyberattacks as other devices. Follow these security tips if you want to protect your business printers from cyberattacks.

Businesses of all sizes can fall prey to cyberattacks that can cause major financial losses and even put companies out of business. And with more numerous and sophisticated threats like these expected in 2023, it’s more critical than ever for business owners to stay ahead of the latest cybersecurity trends and protect their organization from potential threats.

If you want to stay secure while using the internet, it’s not enough to simply rely on anti-malware software and a firewall. Nowadays, hackers can read data sent to and from your device and steal the information inside them. This is why your business needs a virtual private network (VPN).

What is a VPN?

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, keeping you safe from hackers looking to intercept your data and any third parties that want to monitor your online activities.

As you focus on meeting the needs of holiday shoppers or taking time off to be with loved ones, hackers are looking to exploit any vulnerabilities in your business’s system. Keep these tips in mind to ward off hackers so you can fully enjoy this festive season.