Technology Advisor Blog

With the development of generative AI becoming more sophisticated for both positive and malicious intent, it’s no surprise there has been an increased surge of cybercrime happening all around the world.
In 2024 alone, we can see these reflect in the 33% increased losses in the US compared to the previous year 2023. According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), losses from cybercrime in 2024 exceeded $16 billion, with the top three causes of financial loss stemming from phishing, extortion, and personal data breaches. Important note: When it comes to data incidents, the difference in context is that data incidents are suspicious activity occurring across accounts. A data breach refers to the confirmation of systems being given unauthorized access with malicious intent with financial loss.

Did you know that in October, Microsoft will no longer be operating on Windows 10? Or that Microsoft is disabling ActiveX controls within the month of May? Are you aware that Microsoft’s April security updates intentionally added a folder that you must NOT delete? As a small business utilizing all your team’s energy and resources, it can be overwhelming keeping up with the multiple security updates ensuring your business’ safety.

Did you know that 28% of consumers have fallen victim to credit card fraud in the last year? With nearly a third of people affected, it’s no surprise that 37% report feeling anxious about their credit card accounts being compromised. Families and career-driven individuals are especially on edge, with Gen X and Millennials (40%) sharing equally high levels of concern.

Happy April and Spring to all! We have made it through another New England winter. The April showers will eventually bring us May flowers.
For the month of April, Tax Scams are on the rise across the US. Locally, a more sinister scam is on the rise, leaving hundreds of folks devastated financially in its wake. The FBI has issued a warning urging property owners and Real estate agents of Quit Claim Deed fraud (home theft) to avoid losing their property right from under them.

As we embrace the Spring season and the promise of April showers bringing May flowers, we also enter the busy and often stressful time of tax season. This period sees a high volume of sensitive financial information being exchanged as individuals file their taxes in hopes of securing refunds. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers are at their most active, tirelessly seeking ways to deceive taxpayers and exploit their financial situations.

For many that are local with us, we share the news of Joann Fabrics, a beloved brand in the fabric and crafting world, filed for bankruptcy in February 2025. After 82 years of serving creative minds across the United States, the company announced that it would be closing all its stores down for good. This marks the end of an era for a company that has been a staple in the crafting community for generations including friends, family and loved ones.

If you frequently travel for work around the Massachusetts area (or even beyond), you may have noticed an alarming rise in text scams known as smishing pretending to be from E-ZPass. These fraudulent messages claim that you owe unpaid tolls from recent travel, and they often pressure you to make an immediate payment on unpaid toll bills. E-ZPass recently has issued a mass email warning of its customers. These scams are not just isolated to New England, they have spread as far as California, where their toll system is known as FastTrak.

In a world where cyber attacks have become the great equalizer, no business - no matter how big or small - is immune. Many small enterprises mistakenly believe that cyber threats target only the giants, but in 2025, hackers are leveling the playing field. This report unveils the emerging trends in cybersecurity, exposing how vulnerabilities in small businesses can spell disaster and why investing in robust defenses is no longer optional but essential. Prepare to rethink your strategy and protect what matters most.