This article originally appeared in Direct iT's new magazine, New England Cyber Defender, which you can read for free here.

Mike Rowe’s mother, Peggy Rowe, always finds a way to outdo her son — and she does so in a way only mothers can.

“I am so brutally and relentlessly upstaged at every turn by my mother,” Mike said.

This article originally appeared in Direct iT's new magazine, New England Cyber Defender, which you can read for free here.

The YMCA of Greater Boston is more than just an affordable place to get in a workout. As the largest private provider of social services in Massachusetts, the YMCA of Greater Boston supports the mental, physical, and social well-being of over 150,000 people annually.

This article originally appeared in Direct iT's new magazine, New England Cyber Defender, which you can read for free here.

Thank you for picking up this second edition of New England Cyber Defender. We have lots in store for you this issue.

First, our cover feature introduces us to the charismatic Mike Rowe, a familiar face from Discovery Channel.

In mid-September, the International Criminal Court (ICC), headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, experienced a significant cybersecurity breach. This incident provides vital insights for business leaders, regardless of their organization's size or sector, on how to respond effectively and protect against cyber threats.

Cybercriminals are utilizing compromised Facebook accounts to target businesses through Facebook Messenger with seemingly harmless links to RAR/ZIP files, according to a new report released by Guardio Labs, experts in online safety applications. Once clicked, these links secretly download malicious software, granting attackers access to sensitive browser data, including passwords and cookies.

As technology continues to advance, the protection of personal data and privacy becomes increasingly crucial. In response to this growing concern, Massachusetts legislators have proposed Bill H.357, which aims to prohibit mobile device location data from being scooped up and sold to advertisers.

A recent report by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis has shed light on the concerning surge of Ransomware attacks in 2023. The data provided by Chainalysis indicates that from January to June 2023 alone, a staggering $449.1 million was extorted through ransomware attacks.

In a recent public service announcement, the FBI issued a warning regarding an increase in tech support scams specifically targeting older adults. These scams not only exploit vulnerable individuals but also pose a significant risk to businesses and their employees.

In today's fast-paced and interconnected business landscape, the threat of data loss and system downtime due to unforeseen disasters looms large. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) near Boston, MA, often struggle to find cost-effective and reliable solutions to protect their critical digital assets.

In today's digital age, data is the lifeblood of any business. But what happens when disaster strikes? Whether it's a cyber attack, hardware failure, or natural catastrophe, your company's valuable data could be at risk. That's where the power of cloud backup for business comes in.