Author Archives: Nathan Eddy

Ransomware is the most pervasive form of malware out there, as attackers have shifted their focus away from more traditional attacks, and the number of new strains of ransomware continues to grow exponentially. Using ransomware, the criminal takes control of a user’s laptop and data and requires payment to get the control back, and tries to price the crime at a high enough value that it is worth it to them and not so high that people will not pay. Email is by far and away the most common way of delivering ransomware to computers and other devices, and as it evolves, ransomware will likely… Continue reading Ransomware Unbound: Critical Knowledge for a Growing Threat→

With the holiday season fast approaching—they’re playing Jingle Bells in the department stores across the land—businesses need to be ready for the periods when IT security staff will be enjoying time with friends and family. The job of the IT pro isn’t likely to get easier anytime soon, and this is especially true during the holidays when employees are out of the office and expect to remain connected and productive at all times. Things may get more complex as employees attach more mobile and wearable technology to company email and systems, including the gadgets they receive for the holidays… Continue reading Maintaining Security When IT is on Holiday→

The holiday season is prime time for the use of credit card skimmers in retail environments. This time of year, the number of transactions increases and the ability of the average retailer to respond to threats is limited due to the amount of activity. Furthermore, most companies are in a change freeze between Thanksgiving and Christmas, slowing the rollout of new or modified security controls. According to the 2016 American Express Digital Payments Security Survey, 60 percent of merchants surveyed reported experiencing fraudulent online sales and a quarter say their level of online fraud has… Continue reading Businesses Must Secure Customer Data to Ensure Holiday Season Success→

There is a negative unemployment rate in IT security, which has led to a shortage of available talent in the market, with many firms unable to attract or evaluate key security talent. According to a Peninsula Press analysis of numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 209,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. in 2015, with information security job postings up 74 percent in the last four years. And demand for security skillsets is up 300 percent in the last 12 months. Additionally, many firms have not come to terms with the compensation required for keeping IT security… Continue reading How to Protect Your Business When You’re Cybersecurity Team Is Understaffed→