Technology Advisor Blog



Credit Card Fraud Is a Headache and Business Cybercrime Is a Full-Blown Crisis

Posted by Sarah Carroll on 4/11/25 9:10 AM

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.

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Tags: phishing, small business technology advice., cybersecurity, ransomware, cybersecurity, Fraud





If You've Never Thought of Cybersecurity, You're Exactly Who The Cyber Criminals Want

Posted by Ann Westerheim on 4/9/25 9:26 AM

Cybersecurity and AI have become inseparable forces that create immediate risks to local businesses, regardless of size. Small organizations are now prime targets for criminals who use artificial intelligence to automate attacks, making every business vulnerable.

Major corporate breaches grab headlines, yet the silent wave of cyber attacks on local companies goes unreported, leaving many business owners with a dangerous false sense of safety. Your organization needs basic protective steps that could prevent most attacks, along with cost-effective solutions to shield your business from financial losses and reputation damage. The stakes are high - companies that fall victim to these attacks often struggle to keep their doors open.

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Tags: small business technology advice., Cybersecurity, email scams, cybersecurity training





Understanding Quit Claim Deed Fraud: FBI Boston Steps In as Scams Escalate

Posted by Sarah Carroll on 4/4/25 12:28 PM

 

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.

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Tags: cybersecurity, cybersecurity training, online safety





Why Delaying a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) Could Be Your Business's Costliest Mistake

Posted by Ann Westerheim on 4/1/25 4:03 PM

A Written Information Security Plan (WISP)acts as your small business's shield against cyber threats, protecting both your data and financial health. Research shows 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses directly, making clear protocols and response strategies a must-have for your operations. Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report

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Tags: service, disaster recovery, small business technology advice., cybersecurity, security risk assessment, ransomware recovery, SecurityBreach





The Cybercriminals' Playground: Navigating the Dangers of Tax Season

Posted by Sarah Carroll on 3/28/25 12:37 PM

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.

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Tags: phishing, Cybersecurity, email scams, cybersecurity





Regret to Resilience: What Small Businesses Learn After a Cyber Incident

Posted by Ann Westerheim on 3/25/25 3:11 PM

What to do after a cyber attack requires fast, strategic action to protect your business and stop further damage. A well-planned response can mean the difference between a brief disruption and a complete business shutdown that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Your response in the first 24 hours shapes your recovery path and impacts your ability to resume operations. This guide outlines the proven recovery methods that have helped businesses survive attacks and rebuild stronger, plus practical steps to prevent future incidents from harming your operations. You'll learn exactly which actions to take, who to call, and how to minimize both financial losses and operational downtime.

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Tags: small business, small business technology advice., cybersecurity, incident response





No More Online Sales: Joann Fabrics Warns Customers of Website Scams

Posted by Sarah Carroll on 3/21/25 11:13 AM

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.

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Tags: cybersecurity, online safety, WebsiteScams





Five Smart IT Cost Management Ideas for Growing Businesses

Posted by Ann Westerheim on 3/13/25 4:06 PM

IT spending choices directly impact your bottom line, with cloud solutions offering clear ways to control costs while building capabilities. Your technology investments - from email systems to cybersecurity tools - keep your company competitive without creating budget surprises.  I recall a conversation I had with a client years ago - a local business owner with about 25 employees - he said; "Ann, I just need all my tech to work, and at a reasonable price".  A lot has changed over the years - tech is so much more pervasive everywhere, and managing cyber risk is now a big part of it.  But the bottom line is the same:  IT spending choices directly impact your bottom line.

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Tags: small business technology, cybersecurity





Beware of the Rising EZPass Smishing Scams

Posted by Sarah Carroll on 3/6/25 4:49 PM

Smishing EZPass Text Message Fraud

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.

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Tags: Cybersecurity, email scams, Text Scams





How Cybersecurity Changes Impact Small Businesses

Posted by Sarah Carroll on 2/25/25 3:07 PM

Cybersecurity Phishing and Deepfake Risks Detection

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.

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Tags: small business, cybersecurity





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    For older Ekaru blog posts, go to ekaru.blogspot.com.