In 2025, travel-related phishing scams have reached an all-time high, with cybercriminals launching increasingly sophisticated attacks that target both individuals and businesses.

Recent studies show that 95% of cybersecurity incidents are primarily due to human error, making these carefully crafted travel scams particularly dangerous. With summer approaching, your business faces heightened risk from these deceptive tactics.

The Alarming Rise of Travel Phishing Scams in 2025

According to the latest cybersecurity data, phishing attacks have surged dramatically, now accounting for 40% of all data breaches reported in 2024. Even more concerning, only 1.6% of senior leaders can correctly identify a phishing scam, leaving businesses extremely vulnerable during peak travel season.

How These Sophisticated Travel Scams Target YOUR Business

Step 1: The Perfectly Crafted Fake Confirmation Email Lands in Your Inbox

These aren’t amateur attempts. Today’s cybercriminals create emails that are virtually indistinguishable from legitimate communications:

Step 2: The Convincing Fake Website Captures Your Credentials

When clicked, these links direct to sophisticated clone websites designed to:

Step 3: Your Business Information and Systems Are Compromised

For businesses, the consequences extend far beyond a single compromised account:

Why Even Tech-Savvy Companies Fall Victim to These Scams

7 ESSENTIAL Safeguards for Your Business During Travel Season

The Cost of Ignoring This Threat Is Too High

The financial impact of cyberattacks continues to soar, with businesses facing an average cost of $4.45 million per data breach. Beyond immediate financial losses, your company risks long-term damage to customer trust and brand reputation.

Protect Your Business Before Your Next Trip

Our FREE Cybersecurity Assessment provides a comprehensive evaluation of your current vulnerabilities and delivers actionable recommendations to strengthen your defenses against these sophisticated travel scams.

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Trust our local Northeast Ohio Technology Support Team to protect your business from these evolving threats. We understand that change can be daunting, so we’ll take the time to understand your unique needs and develop a tailored cybersecurity strategy.

Schedule your FREE Cybersecurity Assessment today and rest easy knowing that we genuinely care about your success.

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Mark your calendars: October 14, 2025 – the day Windows 10 officially reaches its end of life. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes or technical support for Windows 10. But what does this mean for your business applications and productivity tools?

If you’re still using Windows 10 after the cutoff date, it’s not just your operating system that will be at risk – your critical business applications could be affected too. Let’s break down what you need to know.

No More Security Updates = Major Vulnerabilities

Once Windows 10 support ends, there will be no more security patches. This means any vulnerabilities discovered after October 14, 2025, will remain unpatched, leaving your applications exposed to cyberthreats.

What This Means For Your Applications:

No More Feature Updates = Compatibility Issues Becoming Inevitable

As software vendors continue to release updates and new versions, they’ll eventually stop supporting Windows 10. This means your applications may no longer be compatible with your operating system, leading to:

No More Technical Support

It’s not just Microsoft ending support – third-party software vendors will follow suit. As Windows 10 becomes outdated, you’ll notice:

Performance And Productivity Will Suffer

Outdated systems can’t keep up with modern demands. As more advanced applications are developed, they require updated operating systems to run efficiently.

The Impact On Your Business:

What Should You Do?

To ensure your applications continue running smoothly after Windows 10 support ends, consider these steps:

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The end of Windows 10 support is closer than you think. Waiting until the last minute could leave your business vulnerable to cyberthreats, productivity bottlenecks and compliance issues.

Start with a FREE Network Assessment. Our experts will evaluate your current setup, identify application dependencies and help you create a seamless transition plan to ensure your business stays secure and productive.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment today!

Don’t leave your applications to chance. Take action now to protect your business from the risks of outdated technology.

When it comes to running a business, most owners consider aspects like quality customer service, reliable products or services, and closely monitored P&Ls as reasons for company success or failure. Most never consider one other sneaky element that is often overlooked as a make-or-break factor because it’s “a boring necessity.” What is it?

Your technology.

The technology you choose to use to run your business shapes and drives your success. Dropped calls can affect sales performance. Poor collaboration tools can slow team communication. However, having effective technology and IT support isn’t just about fixing glitches or installing the right software. It’s about leveraging technology strategically to enhance productivity, secure sensitive data and drive growth in all areas of the business.

As we move into Q2, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how technology impacts your business, what updates you’ve made and how they’ve performed so far and, most importantly, whether your current IT support is helping you thrive or holding you back.

The Cost Of Outdated Or Inadequate IT Support

Many businesses settle for mediocre IT support, thinking it’s cost-effective. However, inadequate IT support can cost your business more than you realize:

This could halt operations, prevent employees from accessing essential applications and delay customer transactions. Even a one-hour outage can lead to significant revenue loss and damage to the company’s reputation.

For example, take a retail business stuck with legacy POS systems that fails to integrate online and in-store sales data. As a result, they will miss out on valuable insights that could have informed inventory management and marketing strategies, leading to lost revenue opportunities.

But that’s not all; it can affect your customers’ experiences too. Customers expect seamless interactions. System outages or slow response times can lead to dissatisfaction, negative reviews and loss of business.

Example: Imagine an e-commerce site during a flash sale experiencing downtime that leads to abandoned carts and lost sales opportunities, frustrating customers and damaging brand loyalty.

How The Right IT Support Boosts Your Business

Choosing the right IT support isn’t just about having someone to call when things break; it’s about strategically leveraging technology to optimize productivity, secure sensitive data and support your business growth. Here’s how the right IT support can make a measurable impact:

1. Enhanced Productivity And Efficiency

Example: A marketing agency that integrated Slack with Asana and Google Drive reduced project turnaround times by 20%, allowing their team to communicate, share files and track project milestones without switching between platforms. <<DELETE OR SWITCH OUT TO INCLUDE YOUR OWN EXAMPLE/TESTIMONIALS>>

2. Robust Cybersecurity Measures

Example: After implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity plan, including two-factor authentication and endpoint protection, a financial services firm reduced phishing incidents by 70% in six months. <<DELETE OR SWITCH OUT TO INCLUDE YOUR OWN EXAMPLE/TESTIMONIALS>>

3. Strategic IT Planning And Growth

Example: An e-commerce company used Power BI to analyze sales trends, allowing them to optimize inventory management, which increased sales by 15% during peak seasons. <<DELETE OR SWITCH OUT TO INCLUDE YOUR OWN EXAMPLE/TESTIMONIALS>>

4. Cost Savings And ROI

Example: A manufacturing company that migrated to Microsoft Azure saved 30% on IT infrastructure costs while improving system uptime and data accessibility. <<DELETE OR SWITCH OUT TO INCLUDE YOUR OWN EXAMPLE/TESTIMONIALS>>

Key Technologies To Consider When Upgrading

To stay competitive and secure, consider upgrading the following technologies:

Ready To Update Your Tech?

We’re offering FREE Network Assessment to help you evaluate your current IT setup and identify growth opportunities.

Ready To Transform Your Business With Better IT Support?

Call us at 216-800-7800 or click here to schedule and discover how the right IT partner can help you achieve your business goals.

Business e-mail compromise (BEC) is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous cyberthreats businesses face. While these scams have challenged organizations for years, the introduction of advanced AI tools has made them more sophisticated – and far more dangerous.

In 2023, BEC scams caused $6.7 billion in global losses. Even more alarming, a study by Perception Point revealed a 42% increase in BEC incidents during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period the year prior. With cybercriminals harnessing AI to refine their techniques, this trend is only accelerating.

What Are Business E-mail Compromise (BEC) Attacks?

BEC scams aren’t your average phishing attempts. They’re highly targeted cyberattacks where criminals exploit e-mail accounts to trick employees, partners or clients into sharing sensitive information or transferring funds.

Unlike generic phishing, BEC scams often involve impersonating trusted individuals or organizations, making them far more convincing and effective.

Why Are BEC Attacks So Dangerous?

BEC scams are alarmingly successful because they rely on manipulating human trust rather than malware or attachments, which can often be detected by filters. Here’s what makes them so destructive:

They can result in:

Common BEC Scams To Watch Out For

BEC scams take many forms. Here are a few of the most common:

How To Protect Your Business From BEC

The good news? BEC scams are preventable with the right strategies in place:

Next Steps For Security

Cybercriminals are evolving, but you can stay one step ahead. By training your team, securing your systems and verifying transactions, you can turn your business into a fortress against BEC scams.

Want to ensure your business is protected? Start with a FREE Network Assessment to uncover vulnerabilities, secure your systems and keep cybercriminals out.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment today!

Let’s stop BEC in its tracks – before it stops your business.

Think ransomware is your worst nightmare? Think again.

Hackers have found a new way to hold your business hostage – and it may be even more ruthless than encryption. It’s called data extortion, and it’s changing the rules of the game.

Here’s how it works: They don’t bother encrypting your files anymore. Instead, they just steal your sensitive data and threaten to leak it unless you pay up. No decryption keys, no restoring your files – just the gut-wrenching fear of seeing your private information splashed across the dark web and facing a public data breach.

This new tactic is spreading like wildfire. In 2024 alone, over 5,400 extortion-based attacks were reported worldwide, an 11% increase from the previous year. (Cyberint)

This isn’t just ransomware 2.0. It’s a whole new kind of digital hostage situation.

The Rise Of Data Extortion: No Encryption Necessary

Gone are the days when ransomware simply locked you out of your files. Now, hackers are bypassing encryption altogether. Why? Because data extortion is faster, easier and more profitable.

Here’s how it works:

And they’re getting away with it.

Why Data Extortion Is More Dangerous Than Encryption

When ransomware first hit the scene, businesses were mainly worried about operational disruption. But with data extortion, the stakes are much higher.

Why Are Hackers Ditching Encryption?

Simply put: It’s easier and more profitable.

While ransomware is still on the rise – with 5,414 attacks reported worldwide in 2024, an 11% increase from the previous year (Cyberint) – extortion offers:

No, Traditional Defenses Aren’t Enough

Traditional ransomware defenses aren’t effective against data extortion. Why? Because they’re designed to prevent data encryption, not data theft.

If you’re relying solely on firewalls, antivirus or basic endpoint protection, you’re already behind. Hackers are now:

And the use of AI is making everything faster and easier.

How To Protect Your Business From Data Extortion

It’s time to rethink your cybersecurity strategy. Here’s how to get ahead of this growing threat:

Are You Prepared For The Next Generation Of Cyberattacks?

Data extortion is here to stay, and it’s only getting more sophisticated. Hackers have found a new way to pressure businesses into paying ransoms, and traditional defenses just aren’t enough.

Don’t wait until your data is on the line.

Start with a FREE Network Assessment. Our cybersecurity experts will evaluate your current defenses, identify vulnerabilities and implement proactive measures to protect your sensitive information from data extortion.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment today!

Cyberthreats are evolving. Isn’t it time your cybersecurity strategy evolved too?

As tax season approaches, businesses are focused on preparing financial documents, filing returns and meeting tight deadlines. Unfortunately, cybercriminals see this busy season where business owners and employees are preoccupied as the perfect opportunity to strike.

Most hackers are looking for ways to exploit sensitive data, scam businesses and create chaos. In today’s blog we’ll share why tax season provides cybercriminals with a huge advantage and how you can stay one step ahead of them.

Why Tax Season Attracts Cybercriminals

1. Increased Exchange Of Sensitive Data

Tax season involves sharing sensitive financial and personal information – both within your organization and with external parties like accountants or payroll providers. This creates multiple points of vulnerability for hackers to exploit, especially through fake e-mails.

2. Tight Deadlines Lead To Mistakes

Under pressure to meet deadlines, employees may be less vigilant about double-checking e-mails, links or file attachments. This makes it easier for phishing scams and malware to slip through.

3. Higher Volume Of E-mails

During tax season, businesses handle a flood of e-mails related to forms, payment requests and compliance updates. Cybercriminals capitalize on this by crafting convincing phishing e-mails that appear legitimate to intercept that sensitive data.

4. Widespread Scams Targeting Taxpayers

Hackers often impersonate trusted entities like the IRS or tax preparation services to trick businesses into sharing confidential information or making fraudulent payments.

Common Tax Season Threats You Need To Watch Out For

How To Protect Your Business This Tax Season

1. Train Your Team

Educate employees about the latest scams and how to recognize phishing attempts. Teach them to:

2. Secure Your Communications

Ensure all data exchanges are encrypted, especially when sharing sensitive tax documents. Use secure portals or file-sharing tools instead of e-mail whenever possible.

3. Implement Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

Require MFA for access to financial systems, e-mail accounts and any platforms used for tax-related activities. This adds an extra layer of security, even if credentials are compromised.

We cannot stress the importance of this feature enough. If your password is compromised, this can help save you. If it’s an available feature on any account you have, please set it up.

4. Conduct A Cybersecurity Audit

Work with your IT provider to identify vulnerabilities in your systems before hackers can exploit them. Focus on:

5. Verify All Financial Requests

Double-check payment requests, especially those involving large sums or sensitive accounts. Confirm via a second communication method (e.g., a phone call) to ensure authenticity.

Don’t Let Hackers Score This Tax Season

Tax time doesn’t have to be open season for hackers. By staying vigilant, educating your team and implementing proactive cybersecurity measures, you can protect your business from becoming a victim.

Let’s make sure the only thing you’re filing this season is a successful tax return – not a cybersecurity incident report. Start with a FREE Network Assessment to uncover potential vulnerabilities and ensure your systems are ready to handle whatever comes your way.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment now!