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How Technology Changed Business (And What That Means for the Future of the Industry)

What comes to mind when you think of the word “business?” Many people will think of stereotypical corporate activities, like signing documents, sitting in cubicles, or swimming in a sea of never-ending black and blue suits. While all three of these things still permeate throughout the business world, all three are also becoming less popular. Think about it: Physically signing documents is a rarity; many businesses use e-signatures today. Cubicles are being phased out in favor of remote work. And instead of fancy suits, we’re seeing our coworkers in more casual clothes (if we even see them in the office at all).

Business is changing. Of course, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, every industry changes with time. But business is different. In order to survive, businesses have to evolve constantly and embrace new technologies that give them an edge over the competition. If they don’t, they’ll be left in the dust by smarter, more modern companies. Because of this, businesses have often been the first to widely adopt and implement innovative technology. But they aren’t just using technology to complement their existing practices; tech is now the backbone of every facet of business. Ultimately, the industry’s willingness to try new technology has helped usher in the digital era that we live in today. Technology hasn’t just helped business; it has evolved business from the ground up.

How Tech Changed Communications

It’s easy to forget, but just a few decades ago, business communication was radically different than it is today. Before the Internet, businesses relied on physical papers and snail mail to communicate. Internally, businesses needed a dedicated mail worker who transferred documents from one employee to another. For team-wide updates, papers had to be posted on a bulletin board to be seen. For external communications, businesses could use telephones to communicate, but if they needed to send a document, they had to rely on mail services. While, individually, none of these tasks are particularly burdensome, that lost time lost adds up. Mail could take a few hours to organize, international shipping could last weeks, and office telephones only worked when employees were at their desks. Before the Internet, businesses tried their best to maximize efficiency, but without modern technology, communications could be painfully slow.

Needless to say, communications at top businesses aren’t like this anymore. The turning point for businesses was the invention of email. All of a sudden, employees could communicate with each other immediately, and even attach documents digitally. As soon as email adoption became widespread in business, the business tech floodgates opened. Today, business software like Slack and Microsoft Teams allows coworkers to communicate instantaneously.

However, this tech isn’t without drawbacks. Because of how easy it is to communicate with coworkers, many employees feel like they can’t escape the office. After all, today’s smartphones can easily handle emails and video calls, ensuring that the office will always be able to contact us, no matter where we are. To that point, many businesses even require workers to respond to emails on weekends and vacations. Ultimately, business communication has become so fast and simple that many workers have trouble escaping the constant connection of their workplace.

How Tech Helps Reach Customers

One of the most difficult aspects of running a business is consistently finding new customers. Regulars are great, but in order for a business to truly thrive, it needs a plan to find and convert leads into customers. Before the Internet, this process was relatively simple. Word-of-mouth, networking, and the occasional newspaper ad were the only ways businesses could seek out new customers. Of these three, word-of-mouth was the most important, as businesses lived and died based on their reputation. Before modern technology, reaching new customers wasn’t all that costly. After all, positive word-of-mouth is just about the one thing a business can’t buy.

Today, word-of-mouth is still one of the most important parts of finding new customers, especially for small businesses. The difference, however, is that there are now dozens of ways for businesses to generate that word-of-mouth. Today, the most popular way is utilizing Facebook advertisements. A full 66% of all small business owners in the United States used Facebook to advertise their business[1]. Ultimately, very few businesses can thrive without the help of the modern Internet. Think about it: If your business has no website, no social media presence, and isn’t listed on Yelp or Google Maps, your business might as well not exist. While finding new customers is much more complex today, the multitude of ways to find new leads helps level the playing field between businesses. Now, your business doesn’t need a century-long reputation in order to succeed; it just needs high-quality digital marketing.

The Rise of Data Analysis

Many business owners may not even be aware of this, but every business uses data analysis to some degree. Simply put, data analysis is the inspection of data about a business and its customers, and making inferences based on that data. One common example is when a coffee shop increases its staffing during the morning rush. The owner knew from previous data that mornings were busier, and then decided to increase staffing to alleviate the rush. For businesses, the simple formula is to collect data, identify patterns in that data, then make predictions based on those patterns[2]. Even before modern technology, businesses regularly used data analysis to increase productivity and minimize downtime.

So, what’s different about data analysis today? Well, we’re usually not the ones doing it anymore. These days, most high-level data analysis is being done by computers. This makes sense, as computers are able to identify patterns in data much more accurately and quickly than humans. Additionally, data analysis isn’t just used for simple things like managing employee scheduling or choosing what items to stock. For the most successful businesses, data analysis is used in every area of business. From customer acquisition and targeted campaigns to new item development and supply chain management, data analysis helps businesses maximize their efficiency[3]. 

So, What’s Next?

After looking at all the ways technology has evolved business practices, one thing is for sure: Businesses are not done changing. Simply put, if there’s a way for businesses to increase their revenue, it will be utilized. And the fact is, businesses are becoming more and more reliant on computers and technology than ever before. Things like employee scheduling and data analysis, previously done by workers, are now done by computers. And, frankly, this trend is unlikely to reverse any time soon. Now, this doesn’t mean computers will be the ones running businesses in a few years. But let’s face it: They are already making many of the big decisions at businesses across the world. 

Ultimately, technology makes businesses more efficient. Unfortunately, as businesses rely more on technology, this also means they rely less on workers. Positions including warehouse jobs, customer service, and banking services are slowly being overtaken by technology[4]. It’s a sad reality, but businesses can simply be more successful with unpaid bots, rather than salaried employees. Again, technology is unlikely to replace human workers en masse any time soon. But as technology becomes more and more advanced, the most successful businesses will rely on tech more than ever before.

About AXEL

Technology is useful in every facet of business, but particularly in the area of cybersecurity. Cybercrime poses a threat to businesses big and small, highlighting the need for affordable cybersecurity solutions. That’s why we created AXEL Go. AXEL Go uses military-grade encryption, blockchain technology, and decentralized servers to ensure it’s the most secure file transfer software on the market. Whether you need to transfer large files or send files online, AXEL Go is the best cloud storage solution. If you’re ready to try the most secure file-sharing app for PC and mobile devices, download AXEL Go for free here.

[1] “Leading Social Media Networks Used by Small Businesses to Advertise in the United States in 2021.” Statista, November 18, 2021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/208971/effective-social-media-marketing-tools-for-small-us-businesses/

[2] “Why Data Analytics Is Critical for Small Businesses.” AirSlate, August 17, 2021. https://blog.airslate.com/why-data-analytics-is-critical-for-small-businesses/

[3] Mills, Terence. “Council Post: Five Benefits of Big Data Analytics and How Companies Can Get Started.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, December 10, 2021. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2019/11/06/five-benefits-of-big-data-analytics-and-how-companies-can-get-started/?sh=48b2320117e4
[4] “Council Post: Tech Experts Predict 13 Jobs That Will Be Automated by 2030.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, December 10, 2021. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2019/03/01/tech-experts-predict-13-jobs-that-will-be-automated-by-2030/?sh=3fc53ffb22bf

Small Business Tech Trends of 2022

When you think of small businesses, you may think of classic mom-and-pop, Main Street stores with just a few employees, and even fewer expenditures. Even TV and movies love to paint small businesses as old-fashioned shops with carefree owners who spend their time lounging and chatting up regulars. While this rosy picture may be accurate for a few small business owners, for the vast majority, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Small businesses and their owners face unique, difficult challenges that have no clear solution. This was especially clear when the COVID-19 pandemic began to rage in early 2020. While big businesses had the technological infrastructure to weather the storm, many small businesses simply couldn’t survive, through no fault of their own. For the businesses whose doors didn’t shutter in the early months of the pandemic, they soon found that innovation was the only way they could survive. From Zoom meetings to online ordering, COVID-19 forced small businesses to evolve. And even as the pandemic reaches its two-year anniversary, these involuntary changes aren’t leaving any time soon. As the country (and the world) continue to live with the pandemic, more small businesses are beginning to utilize these new technology trends to survive in this new normal.

Automation and Artificial Intelligence

When it comes to saving time, there is no better tool for small businesses than automation. Automation can complete many of the small, minute tasks that add up. Things like welcome emails, communications with leads, and inventory management can all be automized, allowing more time for business owners to focus on profit-driven tasks. Best of all, there are useful automation software for nearly every facet of business. Spending a lot of time setting up meetings? Try out Calendly, a useful tool that minimizes the time-consuming back-and-forth of arranging appointments. Want to set your social media posts weeks in advance? Try Hootsuite or Sprout, two programs that can post to your company’s social pages automatically. More and more small businesses are utilizing tools like these to cut down time spent on tasks that don’t affect the bottom line.

This increased adoption of tech shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, small businesses that extensively utilize digital tools earn twice as much revenue per employee than businesses that don’t[1]. It’s simple: When businesses let technology handle small, everyday tasks, they become more successful. However, this doesn’t mean that once a business automizes some things, it’ll magically increase profits. Small businesses have to constantly be on the lookout for programs that give them an advantage over their big-business competitors. One of these programs is quickly growing in popularity, and could even be considered an evolution of automation: Artificial Intelligence (AI).

One of the most popular AI programs for small businesses is chatbots. With these bots, businesses can communicate with web visitors and determine if they need help automatically. More uses include creating marketing content and streamlining inventory management[2]. Although similar to automation, AI goes one step further: It can analyze data and make logical decisions for your specific situation. From resume scanners to employee schedulers, Artificial Intelligence is becoming more useful (and more affordable) for small businesses that seek to prioritize their efficiency.

Digital Advertising is Changing

For the past decade, there has been a single, dominant platform in the social media advertising business: Facebook. It has long been known that advertisements are the lifeblood of the world’s most popular social media site. In fact, Facebook makes a whopping 98% of its revenue from ads[3]. Because of its unending data collection, Facebook can target ads at the micro-level, allowing them to charge advertisers even more. However, extensive data collection and ad-supported social media aren’t exclusive to Facebook anymore. While the company is still making a gaudy amount of money from ads, cracks are beginning to show.

One thing is certain: Facebook is getting older. Now, if your business’s target demographic is 45+, you won’t have much of a problem. But if your business is targeting the coveted 18 to 34 demographic, you may need a more complex marketing strategy. That’s because young people simply don’t use Facebook as much as they used to. In 2016, 60% of teens used Facebook at least once a month. In 2021, that number dropped to 27%[4]. Apps like Snapchat, Instagram, especially TikTok are simply more popular with young people, creating the need for multi-front digital marketing strategies.

Software Integration

The great thing about tech is that there are a virtually infinite number of programs that can help increase efficiency and revenue at small businesses. The bad thing is that, sometimes, too many programs can cause diminishing returns. After all, if you’re uploading data to a dozen different software programs every day, are you really saving time? Additionally, if you’re uploading the same data, over and over again, there’s a higher likelihood of data errors as well. That’s why small business owners have begun to embrace software integration. With integration, not only does software help you complete tasks, but it also communicates with your other software programs. Uploading information from a new lead? With software integration, you can simply add the information once, and it’ll be available on all your integrated programs. Employees need to communicate in order to get work done efficiently. Why can’t software do it too?

While the dream of completely seamless integrated software isn’t quite here yet, there are a number of programs tailored for small businesses that are incredibly convenient. Software like Quickbooks and Xero integrate accounting, expenses, and even employee scheduling. With these tools, small business owners are realizing just how much time, money, and effort they can save by utilizing software integration. 

Cybersecurity Risks

By now, you’ve almost certainly heard the risks of having poor cybersecurity infrastructure. Without protection, small businesses put themselves, their data, and their customers at risk every day. Thankfully, more and more small businesses have realized this risk, and have taken steps to minimize their chances of a catastrophic data breach. In fact, over half of small and medium-sized businesses now have a cybersecurity plan in place[5]. And as cybersecurity programs continue to become more available and affordable, this number is certain to rise in the coming years. While cybersecurity risks are, of course, ever-present, the rising popularity of cybersecurity solutions among small businesses is incredibly promising. Cybercrime risks are unlikely to completely disappear any time soon, but if more and more businesses begin to prioritize cybersecurity, nefarious cybercriminals will have to work harder to wreak their havoc.

Unfortunately, reality isn’t that rosy, at least not yet. While some small businesses have finally taken action to protect their cybersecurity, for many businesses, there’s still work to do. Only 9% of small businesses have cyber liability insurance. Therefore, it’s no surprise that 83% of small and medium-sized businesses are not prepared for the financial consequences of a cyberattack[5]. Ultimately, many small businesses have not reached true cybersecurity protection. While it’s great to see more small businesses finally begin to take cybercrime seriously, there’s still a long way to go. And while companies that have invested in cybersecurity can do business with peace of mind, those that haven’t will be at risk every single day.

About AXEL

No matter what industry your business is in, cybercrime poses a very real threat. At AXEL, we want to help you keep yourself (and your customers) safe from the threats of ransomware and data breaches. That’s why we created AXEL Go. AXEL Go uses military-grade encryption, blockchain technology, and decentralized servers to ensure it’s the most secure file transfer software on the market. Whether you need to transfer large files or send files online, AXEL Go is the best cloud storage solution. If you’re ready to try the most secure file-sharing app for PC and mobile devices, download AXEL Go for free here.

[1] “Small Business Technology Trends: Deloitte Us.” Deloitte United States, May 20, 2020. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/connected-small-businesses.html

[2] Rist, Oliver. “Small Businesses Are Using AI-Sometimes.” PCMAG. PCMag, December 7, 2021. https://www.pcmag.com/news/small-businesses-are-using-ai-sometimes

[3] “Facebook Ad Revenue 2009-2020.” Statista, February 18, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/271258/facebooks-advertising-revenue-worldwide/

[4] Leonhardt, Megan. “Teens Have Been Losing Interest in Facebook for Years.” Fortune. Fortune, October 26, 2021. https://fortune.com/2021/10/25/facebook-teens-usage-harm-studies/

[5] “10 Small Business Cyber Security Statistics That You Should Know – and How to Improve Them.” Cybersecurity Magazine, May 20, 2021. https://cybersecurity-magazine.com/10-small-business-cyber-security-statistics-that-you-should-know-and-how-to-improve-them/

After the Cyberattack: What Happens to your Data Following a Breach?

In 2022, cybercrime seems like everyday news. And in a way, it literally is. Simply search “data breach,” and you’ll find a wealth of businesses across the country dealing with the fallout of cybercrime. Businesses large and small fall victim to these attacks every day, putting more and more people’s personal information in jeopardy. And for consumers, your information leaking isn’t something you have to worry about for a few weeks, then move on. Because of the unique way personal data is stolen and sold, victims of data breaches have to keep an eye on their social media and bank accounts for years. 

On the business side, you’ve likely heard the horror stories of businesses losing millions of Social Security Numbers, or even having confidential documents leaked. From retail stores like Target to digital forums like Facebook, businesses from every industry have fallen victim to cybercrime. Unfortunately, this digital devilry has only become more prevalent. 2021 was the worst year on record for businesses and consumers, with nearly 6 billion accounts breached by cybercriminals[1]. There’s a decent chance even some of your personal information has been leaked without your knowledge. But if nearly 6 billion accounts across the Internet have been compromised, well, where is that information?

Where Does Your Personal Data Go?

When a data breach is reported, the most reported statistic is the number of accounts affected. Data breaches can have anywhere from a few victims, all the way up to 3 billion. When news of a breach breaks, reporters like saying that consumer data has been “leaked” or “published.” However, a more accurate term to describe a breach is that consumer data has been “auctioned off.” This is because the perpetrators of cyberattacks rarely use the data that they just stole. Rather, they simply sell your information to a multitude of low-level digital scammers, who try to make their money through simple phishing scams and the like, rather than complex cyberattacks.

Of course, stolen data can’t be sold on traditional commerce websites. And any public website that tried to sell the data would be taken down quickly for distributing a stolen good. After all, you can’t really Google “stolen data near me” and find what cybercriminals looking for. So, once all that data is stolen, where does it go on sale? On a section of the Internet few know about, and even fewer have visited: the Dark Web. 

The Dark Web is a “layer” of the Internet that can only be accessed through special software. Estimated to be almost 500 times larger than the standard web, the Dark Web is a hub for cybercriminals and their illegal activities[2]. After a data breach, the hackers will typically post about their haul on a Dark Web forum and offer the data to other users for a specific price. Depending on the price and quality of the stolen data, there could be anywhere from a few to hundreds of buyers. Even just hours after a data breach, your personal information could be in the hands of dozens of scammers all across the globe.

How Valuable is My Personal Data?

Not all data breaches are created equal, and not all information is equal either. Think about it: If you were a cybercriminal, would you want three million Twitter usernames and passwords, or one million credit card numbers? Considering Twitter logins are worth just USD $35, and credit card numbers are worth up to $240, most would choose the credit card numbers[3]. Some pieces of information are simply more valuable than others, and cybercriminals know this. That’s why, when a data breach occurs, measuring the impact solely on the number of affected accounts is inaccurate. A leaked Facebook password could cause headaches, but besides a few spam posts, it probably won’t affect your life too much. A leaked passport number, however, could lead to something as serious as identity theft.

This showcases how stolen data itself isn’t particularly valuable, and is only valuable if you know what to do with it. After all, if you hand a random passerby your Social Security Number, it’s unlikely they’ll know how to steal your identity. Unfortunately, these Dark Web cybercriminals have all the knowledge they need to cause chaos in victims’ lives. Even information as simple as phone numbers and corresponding names can be a cash cow for scammers. The disparity in value between pieces of information highlights just how wide-ranging the damage from a data breach can be. So next time there’s a major data breach in the news, don’t just look at the number of accounts affected to judge the severity. Look at what was stolen to truly determine how damaging a cyberattack is.

What About Stolen Documents?

Of course, personal information isn’t the only data that is put at risk during a cyberattack. If cybercriminals target a business, law firm, or government agency, confidential documents could be leaked as well, especially in ransomware attacks. The problem, however, is that this confidential information simply isn’t valuable to cybercriminals. Therefore, when these documents are stolen, cybercriminals often demand a ransom and threaten to publish the confidential information unless it’s paid. For businesses that suffer this type of attack, they typically only have two choices: Pay the ransom, or face a public relations (or even legal) nightmare. 

However, not all cyberattacks are typical. Some cybercriminals couldn’t care less about the money, and only seek to embarrass specific businesses. In one case, a Swiss hacker published confidential data from dozens of companies and government agencies as a protest against mass surveillance[4]. For these companies and agencies, once the hacker gets the data, it’s gone, regardless of the ability to pay a ransom. This highlights how no two cyberattacks are exactly the same. Although most hackers are in it for the money, some simply seek to make a statement, regardless of the financial consequences. That’s why, when it comes to cybersecurity, it’s important to be prepared for anything and everything.

Protect Yourself from Cybercrime

Ultimately, the best way to protect yourself from cybercrime is to prepare. Thankfully, there are simple, inexpensive ways to greatly minimize the risk of a cyberattack on you or your employer. First, encryption is everything when it comes to cybersecurity. Encryption is like splitting your files into thousands of different puzzle pieces, so even if hackers got into your network, your documents are completely illegible to the attackers. Next, updating your security software is the easiest way to mitigate risk. Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for security holes, and those holes are much more prevalent in older versions of software. Keeping your software up-to-date could be the difference between safety, and one of the worst cyberattacks in history. Just ask Equifax.

Finally, one of the best ways to consistently prevent cyberattacks is to encourage a culture of security. This means educating all employees on the risks of cybercrime and how to minimize those risks. From teaching employees how to spot phishing emails to creating an incident response plan, simply prioritizing cybersecurity before a breach is one of the best ways to prevent cybercrime. Prioritizing cybersecurity doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming, but it’s the key to protecting your most valuable documents and data.

About AXEL

If you and your business are ready to prioritize cybersecurity, AXEL Go is the solution for you. AXEL Go uses military-grade encryption, blockchain technology, and decentralized servers to ensure it’s the most secure file transfer software on the market. Whether you need to transfer large files or send files online, AXEL Go is the best cloud storage solution. At AXEL, we believe that privacy is a human right and that your information deserves the best protection. To try the most secure file-sharing app for PC and mobile devices, get two free weeks of AXEL Go here.

[1] Mello, John P. “Data Breaches Affected Nearly 6 Billion Accounts in 2021.” TechNewsWorld, January 18, 2022. https://www.technewsworld.com/story/data-breaches-affected-nearly-6-billion-accounts-in-2021-87392.html

[2] “After the Data Breach – What Happens to Your Data?” BlackFog, May 6, 2021. https://www.blackfog.com/after-the-data-breach-what-happens-to-your-data/

[3] Sen, Ravi. “Here’s How Much Your Personal Information Is Worth to Cybercriminals – and What They Do with It.” PBS. Public Broadcasting Service, May 14, 2021. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/heres-how-much-your-personal-information-is-worth-to-cybercriminals-and-what-they-do-with-it

[4] “U.S. Charges Swiss ‘Hacktivist’ for Data Theft and Leaks.” NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, March 19, 2021. https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/us-charges-swiss-hacktivist-data-theft-leaks-rcna448

Has School Surveillance Gone Too Far?

When it comes to education, pen and paper simply aren’t enough these days. Even just twenty years ago, the most technology students would see in a classroom was the occasional TV cart for educational films. However, in today’s schools, classroom technology is far more than the occasional classroom movie. These days, it’s a necessity. 

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic forced classes online, education technology was revolutionizing the way students learn. From software programs like Schoology to the prevalence of SMART Boards, education technology is used in a variety of ways with one overarching goal: To help students learn and retain information better. To help achieve this goal, many schools have begun to distribute laptops and tablets to students. After all, many projects must be completed and turned in online, and issuing school laptops can ensure all students have equal access to their assignments. While this free distribution of education technology is a noble act, particularly for students who can’t afford premium technology on their own, the technology comes with a massive caveat.

In nearly all cases, school-issued technology is installed with monitoring software. While monitoring software is necessary in some capacities, like ensuring students aren’t playing games on their laptops during class, many software programs are concerningly complex. As education becomes more and more digitized, it’s fair to ask: How much should schools know about their students?

The State of Surveillance

Monitoring students during school isn’t anything new. After all, schools act as students’ guardians during the school day, so it makes sense to observe, monitor, and occasionally report students for illicit or unsafe activities. However, with the rise of technology in schools, students began to spend much of their time online. Naturally, a school’s desire to observe, monitor, and report extends to the digital world as well. Today, a wealth of software programs including Bark, Gnosis IQ, Gaggle, and Lightspeed are installed on student devices to monitor their online interactions[1]. 

And this monitoring isn’t limited to school either. Even outside of the classroom, these software programs utilize artificial intelligence and human moderators to monitor students’ private chats, documents, and emails[1]. If a student searches for something related to, say, self-harm, the software can send an alert to the school district, allowing teachers to message students within minutes. While this strategy can help prevent self-harm, family abuse, and other dangerous situations, it’s clear that student privacy is sacrificed in exchange for this goal.

With the sheer amount of surveillance that students face, few would argue that student privacy isn’t violated. The question, however, is if this sacrifice of privacy is worth it. Proponents of school surveillance argue that it helps schools keep tabs on students, so if a particular child is in danger, the school can take action. In fact, one of Gaggle’s main selling points is its claim that the software saves hundreds of lives per year[2]. While this statement may be exaggerated, the software certainly helps identify students in need quickly.

On the other hand, those against tracking argue that surveillance invades privacy and deters free speech. After all, if you know a live human is watching every email or message you send, you may be more careful about what you type. Ultimately, this tracking software expands the classroom walls to home life, making children feel like they’re being watched all day, every day. Although school surveillance works in some cases, it also has several unintended consequences.

The Harms of School Monitoring

First, the psychological harm to students from endless surveillance can not be understated. In fact, a study found that 53% of students don’t share their true thoughts online because of surveillance, and 77% say they’re more careful about what they search online[3]. After all, students aren’t dumb; they know when they’re being tracked, and would rather censor their own behaviors than potentially deal with their messages or searches being flagged. The study states:

Systematic monitoring of online activity can reveal sensitive information about students’ personal lives, such as their sexual orientation, or cause a chilling effect on their free expression, political organizing, or discussion of sensitive issues such as mental health[3].

Because of the surveillance, students are scared to have conversations about tough topics. This causes students to avoid talking about them at all to avoid potential punishment from schools.

In addition to the psychological effects, surveillance software disproportionately harms minority students as well. Artificial intelligence programs are more likely to flag language spoken by Black students[4]. This is because of the lack of minority voices during the training of the AI, and the lack of diversity in the AI field in general[5]. This issue is exasperated by the fact that Black and Hispanic students use school devices at a higher rate than white students. Additionally, surveillance AI targets LGBTQ students as well, by flagging innocent words like “gay” and “lesbian[5].” Ultimately, it’s clear that student monitoring software does not judge every student equally.

Finally, vulnerabilities found in these software programs increase the risk of data breaches and other privacy incidents. In 2020, ProctorU, a software that monitors students during tests, was breached by cybercriminals, resulting in the leak of over 440,000 students’ emails, passwords, addresses, and phone numbers[6]. More concerningly, in 2021, researchers found vulnerabilities in Netop, another student monitoring software. In this case, they found a bug that could allow hackers to install malware, or even gain access to students’ webcams[7]. At the end of the day, software like this is just another way for cybercriminals to make a quick buck while wreaking digital havoc.

Can Safety and Privacy Coexist?

Here’s the thing: Keeping tabs on students isn’t a bad thing. In fact, that’s practically the entire purpose of a school. But as education becomes more digitized, there ought to be a balance between keeping students safe and respecting their privacy. Of course, some tracking is reasonable. Kids shouldn’t be playing games during instruction, and tracking software allows schools to see who isn’t paying attention. But monitoring students at home? At that point, students feel watched all day, thus less likely to type their true feelings. And making students feel like they have to constantly hide their true beliefs and feelings isn’t a recipe for success. Safety and privacy can coexist, but right now, there are too many severe consequences associated with student monitoring software to make the sacrifice of privacy worth it.

About AXEL

No matter if you work in education, law, or business, cybercrime poses a threat to your industry. Thankfully, AXEL makes it easy to protect yourself from the threat of ransomware and data breaches. At AXEL, we believe that privacy is a human right and that your information deserves the best protection. That’s why we created AXEL Go. AXEL Go uses military-grade encryption, blockchain technology, and decentralized servers to ensure it’s the most secure file transfer software on the market. Whether you need to transfer large files or send files online, AXEL Go is the best cloud storage solution. If you’re ready to try the most secure file-sharing app for PC and mobile devices, get two free weeks of AXEL Go here.

[1] Crispin, Jessa. “American Schools Gave Kids Laptops during the Pandemic. Then They Spied on Them | Jessa Crispin.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, October 11, 2021. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/11/us-students-digital-surveillance-schools

[2] Haskins, Caroline. “Revealed: How One Company Surveils Everything Kids Do and Say in School.” BuzzFeed News. BuzzFeed News, November 3, 2019. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/carolinehaskins1/gaggle-school-surveillance-technology-education

[3] Hankerson, DeVan, Cody Venzke, Elizabeth Laird, Hugh Grant-Chapman, and Dhanaraj Thakur. “Online and Observed.” CDT.org. Center for Democracy and Technology, September 2021. https://cdt.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Online-and-Observed-Student-Privacy-Implications-of-School-Issued-Devices-and-Student-Activity-Monitoring-Software.pdf

[4] Chung, Anna. “How Automated Tools Discriminate against Black Language.” MIT Center for Civic Media, January 24, 2019. https://civic.mit.edu/2019/01/24/how-automated-tools-discriminate-against-black-language/

[5] Kshetri, Nir. “School Surveillance of Students via Laptops May Do More Harm than Good.” The 74 Million, January 19, 2022. https://www.the74million.org/article/school-surveillance-of-students-via-laptops-may-do-more-harm-than-good/

[6] Abrams, Lawrence. “ProctorU Confirms Data Breach after Database Leaked Online.” BleepingComputer. BleepingComputer, August 9, 2020. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/proctoru-confirms-data-breach-after-database-leaked-online/

[7] McCracken, Harry. “Popular Student Monitoring Software Could Have Exposed Thousands to Hacks.” Fast Company. Fast Company, October 15, 2021. https://www.fastcompany.com/90686770/netop-student-monitoring-software-hack

Cybersecurity Strategies for Small Businesses and Firms

When it comes to ransomware and data breaches, we mostly hear about the attacks on massive corporations. After all, these cyber-assaults can affect millions, so it only makes sense that attacks on big businesses are the ones we hear about. However, this creates a false assumption that only big businesses are affected by cybercrime. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, small businesses and firms are often targeted by cybercriminals due to their valuable data and relative lack of cybersecurity protocols [1]. Many smaller companies still have not taken the threat of cybercrime seriously. In fact, 51% of small businesses have not dedicated any resources to cybersecurity [2]. In 2021, a year full of cybercrime and ransomware attacks, that’s a recipe for disaster.

Ransomware and data breaches can affect anyone from first-year law students to senior executives. Of course, large companies have sizable cybersecurity operations, so if cybercriminals strike, they’re prepared. For small businesses and firms, however, it’s up to individuals to protect themselves and their clients. Thankfully, there are easy, inexpensive ways for smaller companies to keep themselves safe from cybercrime.

Secure Passwords

Many of us are guilty of using the same password for multiple accounts. It’s perfectly logical to reuse passwords sometimes when we have hundreds of online accounts for various businesses, social media sites and software. However, using just one password for all your accounts can be disastrous, especially if your work passwords are reused. Think about it: If your Facebook password is leaked, and you have the same password for every account, in effect, all your accounts are leaked. While you don’t need unique, thirty-character-long passwords for every account, ensuring that your passwords are varied and strong keeps your most important data safe. Having one of your passwords leaked is bad, but manageable; having all of your passwords leaked is catastrophic.

Cyber Insurance

Cybercrime can still occur even when precautions have been taken. That’s why it may be smart to invest in a relatively new insurance offering, cyber insurance. Many large corporations utilize cyber insurance to minimize the financial risk of a data breach. In fact, after Target’s 2013 data breach, cyber insurance covered USD $90 million of the total damages [3]. For smaller businesses and law firms, one cyberattack could be financially devastating enough to shutter doors permanently. It is a significant investment, but cyber insurance could pay off in the long term.

Ethical Hackers

One of the quickest, easiest ways to determine if your small firm has a security hole is to hire a white hat, or ethical, hacker. The job of a white hat hacker is to breach a company’s computer system, but with permission. Once the hacker gains access to the system, they can snoop around, looking for vulnerabilities. If a vulnerability is found, they simply tell the company and potentially fix it. While the idea of letting a stranger into your computer systems may sound frightening, this process is one of the best ways to prepare for cybercrime. After all, if you find and patch the vulnerabilities, there isn’t much a cybercriminal can do to your business.

Of course, ethical hackers don’t come cheap, and the more experienced an ethical hacker is, the higher the cost. Big corporations have paid from USD $1,000 to USD $15,000 for white hat hackers to breach their computer systems and look for security vulnerabilities [4]. While hiring or contracting an ethical hacker can be a large investment, there’s no better way to determine if your firm is prepared for a cybercriminal attack.

Culture of Security

In addition to paid solutions, a free technique to protect you and your firm’s cybersecurity is to encourage a culture of security. This means updating your software often, using encryption, and being knowledgeable about modern technology and its risks. First, updating your software is one of the easiest ways to minimize the risk of cybercrime. In fact, the infamous Equifax data breach of 2017 occurred because Equifax simply forgot to update its security software when a vulnerability was detected [5]. Keeping software up-to-date is one of the simplest ways to keep yourself and your firm protected. Next, using encryption is an inexpensive, useful tool to keep your documents safe from data breaches. If your documents are unencrypted, cybercriminals have easy access to your most vital files. Encryption provides an extra layer of security that keeps your documents safe from data breaches and leaks.

Finally, cybersecurity education is the largest part of a culture of security. When everyone is aware of cybersecurity risks like phishing scams and the danger of public Wi-Fi, the risk of cybercrime is minimized. Simply informing your friends and coworkers about modern cybersecurity risks helps cultivate a culture of security that helps you (and your clients) stay safe from cybercrime. Simply put, staying informed on cybersecurity is a long-term, effective solution to minimize the risk of ransomware attacks and data breaches.

Backup Your Data

Whether you’re a thirty-year veteran at a firm or just starting your first job in the workforce, backing up your data offline could be the most important strategy on this list. Security vulnerabilities and cybercriminals pose a threat to cloud-based files. If you get locked out of this online data by cybercriminals, you’ll be forced to either pay a hefty ransom or lose all of your online files. The solution? Simply backup your documents offline. And don’t do it just once! At least monthly, copy your files to an offline hard drive. Backing up your documents offline ensures that you, or your firm, are able to continue working even if a cyberattack hits.

Try AXEL Go

If you’re ready to start creating your culture of security, try AXEL Go. AXEL Go is a cloud file-sharing software with an unwavering focus on privacy. AXEL Go lets employees and students share, store, and collect documents securely, all in a simple, easy-to-understand user interface. Offering military-grade encryption, blockchain technology, and decentralized servers, AXEL Go offers the perfect pairing of simplicity and stringent security. To try AXEL Go free for two weeks, click here.

[1] Shankar, AJ. “Council Post: Ransomware Attackers Take Aim at Law Firms.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, March 11, 2021. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/03/12/ransomware-attackers-take-aim-at-aw-firms/

[2] Knutson, Ted. “Small Businesses Bearing Brunt of Ransomware Attacks, Senate Told.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, July 28, 2021. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedknutson/2021/07/27/small-businesses-bearing-brunt-of-ransomware-attacks-senate-told/?sh=705864499556

[3] Newman, Craig. “Target’s Cyber Insurance: A $100 Million Policy vs. $300 Million (so Far) in Costs.” Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, January 16, 2019. https://www.pbwt.com/data-security-law-blog/targets-cyber-insurance-a-100-million-policy-vs-300-million-so-far-in-costs/

[4] Fazzini, Kate. “Some Freelance Hackers Can Get Paid $500,000 a Year to Test Defenses of Companies like Tesla.” CNBC. CNBC, December 13, 2018. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/12/freelance-hackers-get-paid-to-test-the-defenses-of-firms-like-tesla.html

[5] Ng, Alfred. “How the Equifax Hack Happened, and What Still Needs to Be Done.” CNET. CNET, September 7, 2018. https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/equifaxs-hack-one-year-later-a-look-back-at-how-it-happened-and-whats-changed/

Devastating Data Breaches – Part 3: The Negligence of Equifax

Data breaches, in the traditional sense, have existed for centuries. Although we think of data breaches as a relatively new phenomenon due to the sheer prevalence of attacks we see today, data breaches have been causing headaches to businesses and consumers for a long, long time. Of course, before computers, a data breach meant the exposing of physical papers with confidential information on them. Before the Internet, the amount of damage that could be done was limited by the physical amount of data you could steal. After all, there’s only a finite amount of confidential papers a criminal can sneakily fit in a briefcase. Because of this, the amount of damage done by data breaches was limited.

However, once Internet usage became widespread, the potential damage of a data breach skyrocketed. Millions of consumer records could be stored digitally, ripe for the picking for any cybercriminal with enough knowledge and skill. Ultimately, the Internet ushered in the great data breach boom. And no case is more symbolic of this new trend than the Equifax data breach of 2017.

In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, AXEL is writing about some of the worst leaks, data breaches, and ransomware attacks in history. Follow along all October long to learn about what went wrong, what could’ve been done, and how companies responded to devastating data breaches.

Equifax’s Lax Security

Equifax, one of the three major credit bureaus in the United States, has held mountains of information on millions of Americans for decades. Of course, recording and analyzing this personal information is what a credit bureau does, and their existence is necessary in today’s world. However, because of the sheer amount of information that credit bureaus have, they also hold more responsibilities than most other businesses. Specifically, these businesses have increased responsibility for protecting data and preventing cybercrime. Unfortunately, Equifax reneged on this responsibility in 2017.

On March 7, 2017, Apache Struts, a software program that Equifax and thousands of other companies used, announced a security vulnerability in the software, and immediately sent an update to Equifax to patch the security hole [1]. For reasons unknown, the software was never updated by Equifax, creating a massive security vulnerability. Just a week later, Equifax ran a scan for unpatched systems, but the Apache Struts security hole was not flagged [1]. Ultimately, these two errors put Equifax’s data at massive risk, as the software’s security flaw was publicly known. Just a few days after Equifax’s initial error, the risk became realized.

The Breach

On March 10, 2017, the perpetrators first gained access to Equifax’s servers. However, the cybercriminals did not do much for the next few months, likely to evade detection by Equifax IT. However, by May, the hackers began their attack [2]. For the next two months, the hackers gained access to multiple Equifax databases, They then encrypted this data, and extracted it right under Equifax’s nose. Not long after, the perpetrators were in control of millions of Social Security numbers, birth dates, names, driver’s license numbers, and credit card numbers. After months of investigations, it was determined that the cybercriminals made away with the vital personal information of over 140 million people [3].

To make matters worse, Equifax could’ve had one last line of defense when the hackers were extracting the encrypted data. Most companies receive notifications when a large amount of encrypted data is exfiltrated. However, in another cybersecurity blunder by Equifax, the company failed to renew a vital security service that inspects encrypted data traffic [1]. Because of this, the hackers made away with the data with no detection.

The Response

In August 2017, Equifax became aware of the cybersecurity incident, but did not reveal the attack to the public until September [1]. While Equifax attempted to provide resources to those affected, even the company’s response to the attack was widely panned. For example, Equifax’s social media team directed affected consumers to incorrect web pages on multiple occasions [1]. Even worse, it was revealed that multiple Equifax executives sold USD $1.8 million in Equifax stock following the company’s discovery of the attack, but before it was publicly announced [4]. One executive, Equifax’s Chief Information Officer, was eventually convicted of insider trading related to the attack [5]. Simply put, Equifax’s response to the crisis was woefully inept, and the affected consumers were furious. Eventually, this frustration resulted in litigation.

In the following years, a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of the affected consumers, and Equifax’s penalty was steep. In July 2019, Equifax agreed to settle the case, paying USD $1.38 billion to resolve consumer complaints, and USD $380.5 million to those who were harmed by the breach [6]. While those numbers are large, the large number of victims meant that the maximum payout was only USD $125 [1]. Additionally, Equifax was required to provide free credit monitoring to all those affected by the breach.

For months, investigators waited for the stolen data to appear on the dark web to be sold to spammers and scammers. However, the stolen personal information never appeared. Ultimately, this led to the belief that state-sponsored actors were behind the attack. This meant the purpose of the attack was not to make money, but for espionage. For years, it was unknown who was behind the breach. However, in 2020, the United States Department of Justice abruptly charged four Chinese military members with the attack [1]. While the four potential perpetrators are unlikely to ever be extradited to stand trial, these charges at least provide a theory of who was behind this massive data breach.

Protect Your Data with AXEL Go

AXEL is committed to protecting your data from scammers, spammers, and cybercriminals. And the best way to fight against cyberattacks is to be prepared. That’s why AXEL Go, AXEL’s secure file-storage application, uses military-grade encryption and blockchain technology to safeguard your data. To try out AXEL Go’s unparalleled data security, sign up for a two-week free trial here. 

[1] Fruhlinger, Josh. “Equifax Data Breach FAQ: What Happened, Who Was Affected, What Was the Impact?” CSO Online. February 12, 2020. https://www.csoonline.com/article/3444488/equifax-data-breach-faq-what-happened-who-was-affected-what-was-the-impact.html.

[2] Riley, Michael, Jordan Robertson, and Anita Sharpe. “The Equifax Hack Has the Hallmarks of State-Sponsored Pros.” Bloomberg.com. September 29, 2017. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-09-29/the-equifax-hack-has-all-the-hallmarks-of-state-sponsored-pros.

[3] Leonhardt, Megan. “Equifax to Pay $700 Million for Massive Data Breach. Here’s What You Need to Know about Getting a Cut.” CNBC. July 23, 2019. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/22/what-you-need-to-know-equifax-data-breach-700-million-settlement.html.

[4] Hudson, Phil. “Equifax Gets Blasted for Cybersecurity Hack on Social Media.” Bizjournals.com. September 8, 2017. https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/09/08/equifax-gets-blasted-for-cybersecurity-hack-on.html.

[5] Liptak, Andrew. “Former Equifax Executive Sentenced to Prison for Insider Trading Prior to Data Breach.” The Verge. June 29, 2019. https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/29/20056655/jun-ying-equifax-breach-jail-time-insider-trading-department-of-justice.

[6] Brumfield, Cynthia. “Equifax’s Data Breach Disaster: Will It Change Executive Attitudes toward Security?” CSO Online. July 24, 2019.  https://www.csoonline.com/article/3411139/equifax-s-billion-dollar-data-breach-disaster-will-it-change-executive-attitudes-toward-security.html.