Profile of Steve Zurier

Contributing Writer News & Commentary Posts: 172

Steve Zurier has more than 30 years of journalism and publishing experience, most of the last 24 of which were spent covering networking and security technology. Steve is based in Columbia, Md.

Persistent Threats Can Last Inside SMB Networks for Years

7/11/2019
The average dwell time for riskware can be as much as 869 days.
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More Than Half of SMB Devices Run Outdated Operating Systems

7/3/2019
66% of devices in small-to midsized businesses are based on expired or about-to-expire Microsoft OS versions, Alert Logic study found.
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FIDO Alliance to Tackle Identity Verification and IoT Authentication

6/26/2019
Standards group forms two new working groups to develop new open specifications.
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6 Security Tips That'll Keep the Summer Fun

6/19/2019
Taking some time off this summer? Before you head out on vacation, make sure your devices and apps are also ready.
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ADT Teams Up with SonicWall for SMB Security Services

6/6/2019
More than half of all SMBs plan to rely on third party providers for their security tools and services, according to IDC.
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8 Ways to Authenticate Without Passwords

5/28/2019
Passwordless authentication has a shot at becoming more ubiquitous in the next few years. We take a look at where things stand at the moment.
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97% of Americans Can’t Ace a Basic Security Test

5/20/2019
Still, a new Google study uncovers a bit of good news, too.
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78% of Consumers Say Online Companies Must Protect Their Info

5/13/2019
Yet 68% agree they also must do more to protect their own information.
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Why Are We Still Celebrating World Password Day?

5/2/2019
Calls to eliminate the password abound on this World Password Day – and the technology to change is ready. So why can't we get off our password habit?
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Study Exposes Breadth of Cyber Risk

5/1/2019
New study shows SMBs face greater security exposure, but large companies still support vulnerable systems as well.
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7 Types of Experiences Every Security Pro Should Have

4/29/2019
As the saying goes, experience is the best teacher. It'll also make you a better and more well-rounded security pro.
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1 in 4 Workers Are Aware Of Security Guidelines – but Ignore Them

4/23/2019
Even more are knowingly connecting to unsecure networks and sharing confidential information through collaboration platforms, according to Symphony Communication Services.
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8 'SOC-as-a-Service' Offerings

4/12/2019
These new cloud services seek to help companies figure out what their traditional SIEM alerts mean, plus how they can prioritize responses and improve their security operations.
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Phishing Campaign Targeting Verizon Mobile Users

4/5/2019
Lookout Phishing AI, which discovered the attack, says it has been going on since late November.
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40% of Organizations Not Doing Enough to Protect Office 365 Data

3/28/2019
Companies could be leaving themselves vulnerable by not using third-party data backup tools, a new report finds.
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Small Businesses Turn to Managed Service Providers for Security

3/26/2019
The average cost of a cyberattack at an SMB is $54,650, a new study shows.
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10 Movies All Security Pros Should Watch

3/26/2019
Don't expect to read about any of the classics, like 'War Games' or 'Sneakers,' which have appeared on so many lists before. Rather, we've broadened our horizons with this great mix of documentaries, hacker movies, and flicks based on short stories.
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Less Than 3% of Recycled Computing Devices Properly Wiped

3/20/2019
Researchers find that companies that refurbish or accept old equipment as donations don't necessarily clean them of data as promised.
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Three in Five Politicians’ Websites Don’t Use HTTPS

3/13/2019
Comparitech assessed the websites of more than 7,500 politicians in 37 countries and found 60.8% did not use valid SSL certificates.
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Cybercriminals Target Young Gamers

3/5/2019
Deceptive and inappropriate tactics are prevalent in free gaming apps, according to a new report to be released at the RSA Conference.
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6 Questions to Ask While Buying a Connected Car

3/5/2019
Here are six questions to keep in mind when you walk into the showroom to buy a networked car.
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Bots Plague Ticketing Industry

2/28/2019
Bots now account for 39.9% of all ticketing traffic, mostly originating in North America.
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Human Negligence to Blame for the Majority of Insider Threats

2/21/2019
In 98% of the assessments conducted for its research, Dtex found employees exposed proprietary company information on the Web – a 20% jump from 2018.
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6 Tax Season Tips for Security Pros

2/19/2019
Here are some practical ways to keep your company safe as Uncle Sam comes calling.
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70% of Consumers Want Biometrics in the Workplace

2/13/2019
Speed, simplicity, and security underscore their desire, a new study shows.
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New Chrome Extension Takes Aim at Password Security

2/6/2019
Google adds 'Password Checkup' feature that alerts users if their online credentials have been compromised.
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6 Security Tips Before You Put a Digital Assistant to Work

2/4/2019
If you absolutely have to have Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant in your home, heed the following advice.
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Internet Society to Issue Privacy Code of Conduct

1/25/2019
In time for Data Privacy Day, on Monday, the nine-point guidance will offer insights into how companies can more effectively manage personal data.
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Cybercriminals Home in on Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals

1/23/2019
Research shows that better corporate security has resulted in some hackers shifting their sights to the estates and businesses of wealthy families.
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7 Privacy Mistakes That Keep Security Pros on Their Toes

1/15/2019
When it comes to privacy, it's the little things that can lead to big mishaps.
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NCSC Launches Nation-State Cyber Threat Protection Program for Businesses

1/9/2019
National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) released free online security awareness materials for businesses to defend against nation-state hackers.
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6 Ways to Beat Back BEC Attacks

1/9/2019
Don't assume your employees know how to spot business email compromises – they need some strong training and guidance on how to respond in the event of an attack.
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8 Security Tips to Gift Your Loved Ones For the Holidays

12/18/2018
Before the wrapping paper starts flying, here's some welcome cybersecurity advice to share with friends and family.
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Cyber Readiness Institute Launches New Program for SMBs

12/17/2018
Program seeks to raise employees' cyber awareness and give small and midsize business owners the tools to make a difference.
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Mac Malware Cracks WatchGuard’s Top 10 List

12/12/2018
Hundreds of sites also still support insecure versions of the SSL encryption protocol, the security vendor reports.
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6 Ways to Strengthen Your GDPR Compliance Efforts

12/5/2018
Companies have some mistaken notions about how to comply with the new data protection and privacy regulation – and that could cost them.
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Retailers Make Big Strides In Offering Clear Unsubscribe Links

11/30/2018
They're also honoring unsubscribe requests as soon as they're made, according to the Online Trust Alliance.
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Consumers Are Forgiving After a Data Breach, but Companies Need To Respond Well

11/20/2018
A solid response and reputation management program will go a long way in surviving a major breach.
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7 Holiday Security Tips for Retailers

11/19/2018
It's the most wonderful time of the year – and hackers are ready to pounce. Here's how to prevent them from wreaking holiday havoc.
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Why Password Management and Security Strategies Fall Short

11/7/2018
Researchers say companies need to rethink their password training and take a more holistic approach to security.
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7 Non-Computer Hacks That Should Never Happen

11/5/2018
From paper to IoT, security researchers offer tips for protecting common attack surfaces that you're probably overlooking.
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8 Threats That Could Sink Your Company

10/24/2018
Security researchers warn of both new and re-emerging threats that can cause serious harm.
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IoT Bot Landscape Expands, Attacks Vary by Country

10/23/2018
New report finds 1,005 new user names and passwords beyond Mirai’s original default list two years ago.
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3 Out of 4 Employees Pose a Security Risk

10/15/2018
New MediaPRO study also finds that management performed worse than entry- and mid-level employees in how to handle a suspected phishing email.
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12 Free, Ready-to-Use Security Tools

10/12/2018
There's no excuse for not knowing your exposure. These free tools can help you analyze what your company is up against and point ways to developing a more thorough security program.
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6 Dark Web Pricing Trends

9/24/2018
For cybercriminals, the Dark Web grows more profitable every day.
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The Equifax Breach One Year Later: 6 Action Items for Security Pros

9/10/2018
The Equifax breach last September was the largest consumer breach in history. We talked to experts about lessons learned and steps companies can take to prevent and minimize future breaches.
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How Hackers Hit Printers

8/31/2018
New Booz Allen Hamilton report advises companies to include printers in their overall security strategy.
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Telecommunications Industry in the Bullseye

8/29/2018
New report cites higher volume and increased sophistication of threats to the sector.
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Half of Small Businesses Believe They're Not Cybercrime Targets

8/24/2018
New SMB version of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework could help these organizations properly assess and respond to their security risks.
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6 Reasons Security Awareness Programs Go Wrong

8/23/2018
While plenty of progress has been made on the training front, there's still some work ahead in getting the word out and doing so effectively.
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Real Estate Industry Remains Rich Target for Cybercrime

8/20/2018
Trojans, file downloaders, stolen credentials, and BEC scams, hitting the real estate sector.
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10 Threats Lurking on the Dark Web

8/8/2018
Despite some high-profile takedowns last year, the Dark Web remains alive and well. Here's a compilation of some of the more prolific threats that loom.
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8 Steps Toward Safer Elections

7/26/2018
Here’s some advice from leading authorities on how state and local governments can adapt to an environment where election systems will inevitably be hacked.
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6 M&A Security Tips

7/9/2018
Companies are realizing that the security posture of an acquired organization should be considered as part of their due diligence process.
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9 SMB Security Trends

7/5/2018
SMBs understand they have to focus more on cybersecurity. Here's a look at the areas they say matter most.
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8 Security Tips for a Hassle-Free Summer Vacation

6/23/2018
It's easy to let your guard down when you're away. Hackers know that, too.
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5 Tips for Protecting SOHO Routers Against the VPNFilter Malware

6/2/2018
Most home office users need to simply power cycle their routers and disable remote access; enterprises with work-at-home employees should move NAS behind the firewall.
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6 Steps for Applying Data Science to Security

5/23/2018
Two experts share their data science know-how in a tutorial focusing on internal DNS query analysis.
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5 Ways to Better Use Data in Security

5/5/2018
Use these five tips to get your security shop thinking more strategically about data.
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6 Enterprise Password Managers That Lighten the Load for Security

5/3/2018
EPMs offer the familiar password wallet with more substantial administrative management and multiple deployment models.
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8 Ways Hackers Monetize Stolen Data

4/17/2018
Hackers are craftier than ever, pilfering PII piecemeal so bad actors can combine data to set up schemes to defraud medical practices, steal military secrets and hijack R&D product information.
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6 Myths About IoT Security

4/9/2018
Here are common misconceptions about securing these devices - and tips for locking them down.
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8 Security Spring Cleaning Tips for the Home Office

3/26/2018
Use these ideas to sharpen up your home office machine against potential intruders.
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Who Does What in Cybersecurity at the C-Level

3/16/2018
As security evolve as a corporate priority, so do the roles and responsibilities of the executive team. These seven titles are already feeling the impact.
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Hacking on TV: 8 Binge-Worthy and Cringe-Worthy Examples

2/28/2018
From the psycho-drama Mr. Robot to portraying the outright dangers of ransomware taking down a hospital in Grey’s Anatomy, hacking themes now run deep in today’s TV shows.
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C-Suite Divided Over Security Concerns

2/21/2018
Survey shows 60% of CEOs plan to invest the most resources in malware prevention, but CISOs, CIOs, and CTOs are on a different page.
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IRS Reports Steep Decline in Tax-Related ID Theft

2/15/2018
Research group Javelin confirms that the numbers are trending in the right direction, with total fraud losses dropping more than 14% to $783 million.
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Identity Fraud Hits All-Time High in 2017

2/6/2018
Survey reports that the number of fraud victims topped 16 million consumers last year, and much of that crime has moved online.
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K-12 Study Gives Schools Low Marks for Protecting Student Privacy Online

1/31/2018
Survey says local school districts and education departments lack even the most basic security and privacy safeguards.
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6 Tips for Building a Data Privacy Culture

1/26/2018
Experts say it's not enough to just post data classification guidelines and revisit the topic once a year. Companies have to build in privacy by design.
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DDoS Attacks Become More Complex and Costly

1/24/2018
Major DDoS attacks cost some organizations more than $100,000 in 2017, according to a new NETSCOUT Arbor report.
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Feds Team with Foreign Policy Experts to Assess US Election Security

1/18/2018
Expert panel lays out potential risks for the 2018 election cycle and beyond
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Doh!!! The 10 Most Overlooked Security Tasks

1/16/2018
Here’s a list of gotchas that often slip past overburdened security pros.
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6 Tips to Protect Against Technical Support Fraud

12/27/2017
Just when you’re having fun over the holidays and not paying attention, you can be hit with a tech support scam. Here's how to stay safe into the new year.
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6 Personality Profiles of White-Hat Hackers

12/5/2017
From making the Internet safer to promoting their security careers, bug bounty hunters have a broad range of motivators for hacking – most just like the challenge.
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Lawsuits Pile Up on Uber

11/30/2017
Washington AG files multimillion-dollar consumer protection lawsuit; multiple states also confirm they are investigating the Uber breach, which means more lawsuits may follow.
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8 Low or No-Cost Sources of Threat Intelligence

11/27/2017
Here’s a list of sites that for little or no cost give you plenty of ideas for where to find first-rate threat intelligence.
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6 Steps for Sharing Threat Intelligence

11/10/2017
Industry experts offer specific reasons to share threat information, why it's important - and how to get started.
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10 Mistakes End Users Make That Drive Security Managers Crazy

11/2/2017
Here's a list of common, inadvertent missteps end users make that can expose company data.
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10 Social Engineering Attacks Your End Users Need to Know About

10/19/2017
It's Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Make sure your users are briefed on these 10 attacker techniques that are often overlooked.
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USAF Launches 'Hack the Air Force'

4/26/2017
Bug bounty contest expands Defense Department outreach to the global hacker community to find unknown vulnerabilities in DoD networks.
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6 New Security Startups Named to MACH37 Spring Cohort

4/15/2017
The companies selected this year include technical talent that draws from Silicon Valley to Hungary and Western Europe.
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Cloud Security: New Research Says IT Pros Still Skittish

3/29/2017
Respondents complain in two studies that traditional security tools don’t work in the cloud, and can’t deliver visibility across multiple cloud environments.
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20 Million Mobile Devices at High Risk of Attack, Study Finds

3/23/2017
Meanwhile, a separate report by Google says half of all Android devices didn't install a single security update in 2016.
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New Wave of Security Acquisitions Signals Start of Consolidation Trend

3/20/2017
A dozen recent high-profile deals reflect cybersecurity vendors' hopes of expanding their offerings with next-generation technology, ideas, and talent.
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Twitter Counter Hack Uses Familiar Attack Mode

3/15/2017
Experts advise users to be more aware of the potential downside of third-party apps.
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60% of Businesses Mistakenly Sent out Sensitive Documents

3/14/2017
Some 43% of organizations say they lack widely understood policies for securing internal documents.
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Most Federal Government Websites Lack Basic Security

3/9/2017
HTTPS and DNSSEC not used across the board on agency websites despite federal requirements to do so.
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9 Phishing Lures that Could Hijack your 2017 Tax Refund

3/9/2017
Scammers are taking an aggressive approach to tax season this year, packing attachments and links with banking Trojans, and fairly new strains of ransomware.
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New Cybersecurity Regulations Begin Today For NY Banks

3/1/2017
New York's new security regulations for financial industry viewed as potential model for other states.
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Apparel, Food Delivery Hardest Hit by Online Fraud Attacks

2/28/2017
New Forter-Merchant Research Council report confirms that EMV chips have moved fraudsters away from point-of-sale to online.
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6 Tips for Preventing Laptop Data Theft

2/22/2017
Experts point to stronger passwords, full-disk encryption, and multi-factor authentication as ways to stop data theft in the event a laptop is lost or stolen.
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Voice Biometrics Prone To Error, Study Shows

2/20/2017
New research shows the need for a holistic solution to authentication, not just voice biometrics alone.
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New Method Can Catch Smartphone Thieves In 14 Seconds

2/7/2017
New research from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev shows promise in quickly identifying smartphone hackers.
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Point-of-Sale Malware Declined 93% Since 2014

2/7/2017
SonicWall study highlights alarming growth in ransomware incidents.
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Identity Fraud Rose 16% In 2016

2/1/2017
Javelin report finds that fraud increased to 15.4 million consumers in the US - the highest ever.
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6 Free Ransomware Decryption Tools

1/30/2017
The No More Ransom group has been working to get free decryptor tools into the hands of security professionals and the general public.
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Pew Research Study Exposes America's Poor Password Hygiene

1/26/2017
Americans feel like they've lost control over their online lives, but they still aren't always practicing proper security.
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Email Encryption On The Rise But Still Not 'Universal'

1/24/2017
Osterman study finds that more than half of organizations in North America use email encryption for external communications.
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