UK sticks it to cybercriminals with ban on ransomware payments | Mashable

July 23, 2025July 22, 2025 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

You’ve heard the phrase, “We don’t negotiate with terrorists.” Well, the UK government seems to have a similar approach in mind for dealing with cybercriminals.

Today, the British government announced it will introduce new cybersecurity measures to prohibit public sector and critical national infrastructure organizations from making ransomware payments to cybercriminals.

In ransomware attacks, cybercriminals steal data or take control of critical technology infrastructure, then demand ransom payments to restore access.

What Are the Biggest 2024 Cybersecurity Threats? | AllBusiness.com

February 13, 2024February 12, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Cybersecurity professionals and hackers have effectively been engaged in a global conflict since 1988, when the first computer virus was launched. The so-called Morris worm was unleashed from a computer at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It infected upwards of 6,000 computers within 24 hours, resulting in damage that some estimate in the millions.

Since that watershed moment, cybersecurity experts have worked tirelessly to create ways to protect the digital assets in business networks, while their criminal counterparts devised insidious schemes to profit from the creativity and honest labor of others. Cybercriminals are again sharpening their technological knives, so to speak, and businesses should remain on high alert for these threats in 2024.

The Pros and Cons of VPNs | business.com

July 23, 2021July 20, 2021 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A VPN is a great tool that can help protect any organization’s online presence, but it comes with a few drawbacks.

A virtual private network (VPN) is a great way for any organization or person to upgrade their online security and privacy. By creating an encrypted connection to the internet, a VPN filters all of your traffic through a network server, hiding your online activities from potential cybercriminals or even your internet service provider (ISP).

While there are several great VPN services, such as PureVPN and CyberGhost VPN, that offer a wide variety of benefits, it’s not a perfect technology – as with any other product or service, there are trade-offs. Although a VPN service can add some safety and anonymity to your online activities, what they don’t tell you is that it can also slow your connection speed, or that some providers log your activity to sell to third parties. This is why you should fully explore both the pros and cons before deciding whether a VPN is right for your business.