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The Season of Cyber Vulnerability: How the Holidays Become a Hacker's Playground

Understanding the risks and fortifying defences in the festive period

While the festive season is a time of joy and celebration, it also brings with it a heightened risk of cyberattacks. As most employees wrap up for the year and sign off from work, cybercriminals are preparing to distribute their own 'gifts' of disruption.

This pattern of behaviour has been observed before, with the most notable incident being the SolarWinds breach that took place between Christmas and New Year in 2020. This breach, which targeted the company's Orion software, compromised thousands of clients globally, including key government agencies and top-tier corporations. The orchestrated campaign was not only a wake-up call for IT professionals, but a vivid reminder of the cybersecurity vulnerabilities that emerge when the usual vigilance wanes during the holiday season.

: CHECK POINT; Industry News; Posted On Friday, 29 December 2023 21:04

The most sought-after gadgets for Christmas 2023 – iPhone 14 crowned top

New data reveals the most searched gadgets among online shoppers across the UK, to name the most coveted devices this Christmas
The findings looked at Google searches for terms like ‘iPhone 14 buy’, 'Nintendo Switch offer’, and 'Apple Watch deal’
The iPhone dominated the top three spots, with the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro coming in first, second and third, respectively
An ecommerce expert shares tips for snapping up the best possible deals online this Christmas - including comparing prices from different providers

A new study has revealed the most sought-after gadgets by online shoppers this festive season, with the iPhone 14 taking the top spot.

: THE EDITORIAL TEAM; InfoSecurity; Posted On Friday, 29 December 2023 20:58

HRH Prince of Wales salutes the next generation of naval leaders

Photo: Royal Navy

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales today welcomed more than 160 men and women to the international family of naval officers at an impressive ceremony in Dartmouth, Devon.

Prince William took the Royal Salute at what is probably the most prestigious event of the year at Britannia Royal Naval College, representing his father at Lord High Admiral’s Divisions.

Hosted by the Captain of BRNC Captain Sarah Oakley and accompanied by the Head of the Royal Navy, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key, His Royal Highness – who holds the honorary role of Commodore-in-Chief Submarines – inspected the passing out divisions arrayed on the parade ground of the Edwardian institution which looks out across Dartmouth and the Dart estuary.

: John Aduma; International Security, Safety & Strategic Defence; Posted On Tuesday, 19 December 2023 20:58

New research finds that 12 million Brits receive ZERO personalised communications from their banks

Dear Banks, We Need to Talk... As families reconnect over the Christmas period, it’s time to do the same with our banks

Zahra Hassan, co-founder of Eligible, discusses how lenders can embrace technology to reconnect with customers and leave financial illiteracy in 2023

Key Stats:

11.9 million Brits agree that none of the financial advice they receive from their bank is personalised to them and their financial situation, leading them to ignore this
3 million Brits agree that they disregard bank letters and statements regarding late or missed payments as they do not understand the financial language that banks use
As families reconnect over the holiday season, one relationship that’s fallen below the radar over the course of 2023 has been that of banks and their customers. In new landmark research unveiled by Eligible - the UK’s first platform used by banks to provide bespoke financial expertise - up to 12 million Brits cite that they receive zero personalised communication from their bank. Further to this, an additional 3 million people have been found to leave their communications from banks unread due to the inaccessible financial jargon favoured by their lenders. In light of this chasm of discourse between banks and customers, Zahra Hassan, co-founder of Eligible, discusses the importance of forging stronger relations with Britain’s long lost relative, the bank.

According to Hassan, this past year has witnessed a continued strain in the relationship between banks and their customers. Ongoing bank closures remain a centre piece of the UK’s shifting financial landscape, with a total of 636 high street outlets reported to be closing their doors for the final time this year alone. Research from Link has also found that 2024 may be the year that up to 30 towns and villages across the UK become so-called “banking deserts” – communities left without an in-person service.