Due to COVID-19 pandemic, work-from-home using internet has become a growing way of connecting with associates and clients. This year, internet use has nearly doubled, due to work-from-home and lockdowns. But internet is a risky environment, especially when connecting your mobile devices to a public network. You are at an airport and connect to its public Wi-Fi network. But you are unaware that there is a hacker lurking around the corner, monitoring the internet traffic and ready to hack into your personal account. It is estimated that there are over 450 million public Wi-Fi hotspots globally, offering a rich hunting ground for cyber criminals.  

Cyber specialists tell us that currently there are more than 375 malicious threats PER MINUTE and growing. Mobile malware threats grew by a whopping 70% in Q1-2020 over Q3-2019! Cyber criminals have generated 113,000+ malicious URL’s related to COVID-19, targeting healthcare, education and banking in particular. Cybercriminals steal personal and company information by hacking into our susceptible computers and mobile devices. Cyber-attacks are especially devastating for small businesses - industry data shows that a staggering 60% of small companies, which have been hacked by cyber criminals, go out of business within 6 months after the attack.

While business operations, from conceiving an idea to its final delivery to the user, are going digital at breakneck speed, the entire operational areas remain vulnerable to cyber malfunctioning in one form or other. This impact the operations very hard short-term as well as long-term. Cyber security threats can be due to inherent flaws within the system. But the possibility of deliberate cyber-attacks and hacking from one source or the other is abundant. As competition and market battles hot up, this remains a real danger.

The risk covers a large area. One of the biggest threats is the compromising of vital data. This includes important technical details, hard-earned market information, customer information etc. Loss of data can bring the operation to a halt at great financial impact. As hinted, the problem can be due to malfunctioning of the software or external interference to steal the data.

Either way, the cost of recovery is immense, not to talk about the time lost in the process. Hidden or not, these expenses will have a big role in fixing the final profit and loss accounts.

Adding to this is the loss of credibility of the business. The output will be negatively impacted and the company will have to do great degree of explanations to the customer. It is an equal task to recover lost data and to recover lost credibility. Consumers have other options and look elsewhere. But the company cannot afford that luxury.

While the margin for deliberate external intrusion possibilities remains large, many of these security breaches are caused by human error. One needs to realise that however deep an entity goes digital, there is always that unavoidable human touch that makes it run. AND, to err is human!

This underlines the need for proper intense training. There are studies that say employee ignorance is one of the leading contributors. Workers may know the essential basics of an application, but that does not make him or her a cyber security expert. While the IT departments execute a new cloud computing initiative or new application software, they have to ensure that those handle it on a daily basis are equipped to manage a crisis.

Types of cyber threats

Cyber threats are ever-evolving and cybercriminals use different types of malware to get what they want. Malware is an abbreviated form of “malicious software.” This is software that is specifically designed to gain access to or damage a digital device, usually without the knowledge of the owner.

Crypto jacking: Malware that gives cybercriminals access to “mine” cryptocurrency on your computer, at the expense of your resources.

Form jacking: Malware in which cybercriminals inject malicious code into online forms to steal payment card details on legitimate websites.

Ransomware: It is a malicious software that uses encryption to hold data for ransom, the purpose of which is to extort money from the victims with promises of restoring encrypted data. Like other computer viruses, it usually finds its way onto a device by exploiting a security hole in vulnerable software or by tricking somebody into installing it.

Phishing: These are fake emails that can look surprisingly legitimate. If you get tricked into clicking a link or providing information, thieves can get your passwords and account numbers.

Zoom Bombing: Intruders hack into online meetings.

Remote Access Trojans (RAT): Malware that gives a cybercriminal a “back door” to remotely access a compromised computer.

Spyware: It is unwanted software that infiltrates your device, stealing your Internet usage data and sensitive information. Spyware gathers your personal information and relays it to advertisers, data firms, or external users.

Dark web: It is an underground online community where criminals can go to buy and sell your personal information.

Defense

All digital devices need to be protected using a highly-rated, proven anti-virus program. These programs provide a shield for your operating system in the form of a real-time scanner. When your antivirus program detects an infected file or program, it can delete it on the spot or move it to a special "quarantine" folder. When your antivirus quarantines a file, it prevents it from interacting with the rest of the computer.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a private network within a broader network, adding security by using encryption and tunneling mechanisms. There are some free VPN products available, but these may trade your information to help offset their costs, or impose other limitations, such as how much VPN data available per month. A paid subscription service may enable you to deploy a powerful, yet easy-to-use VPN that protects your Wi-Fi connections, bandwidth and privacy with guarantees against any losses. These VPN’s work with all digital devices - PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets.

It goes without saying that users of all digital devices that use Wi-Fi connectivity must become more mindful of cybersecurity needs, and companies must invest in security programs and ongoing employee training.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

TyreSafe, UK’s leading tyre safety charity, has launched its annual Tyre Safety Month by cautioning UK motorists that confidence in their vehicles’ stopping ability may be misplaced. Research indicates that although 83 percent of drivers feel fully in control of stopping distances, merely 6 percent know the additional distance required to halt in wet conditions at motorway speeds.

The study reveals that 94 percent of drivers underestimate how sharply stopping distances grow in rain, with many erring by substantial margins. This mismatch between perceived and actual risk spans every UK region, pointing to a nationwide problem involving driver awareness and vehicle preparedness.

In response, TyreSafe advises routine tyre checks, especially before seasonal shifts and heavier rainfall. Motorists are urged to remember the ACT principle – air pressure, condition and tread depth – and to act before they react.

Stuart Lovatt, Chairman, TyreSafe, said, “Many drivers and riders believe they are in control – but that confidence is often misplaced. Stopping distances in wet conditions can be far greater than expected, and tyres play a critical role in that equation. If your tyres are not properly maintained, your ability to stop safely is significantly reduced – no matter how confident you feel behind the wheel.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (publ) has secured a second extension of its company reorganisation, with the Gothenburg District Court approving a further three-month period lasting until 27 November 2026. The company has been under reorganisation since 27 February 2026, when the court initially granted the process. An earlier extension had already pushed the deadline to 27 August 2026 before this latest decision.

In its ruling, the District Court noted that Enviro has submitted a draft reconstruction plan and secured the necessary financing for it. The court also found that the company has taken other required measures, leading it to conclude that exceptional grounds exist to justify continuing the reorganisation beyond the ordinary timeframe.

Enviro now plans to ask the court to order plan negotiations and schedule a plan hearing as soon as possible. At that hearing, affected parties will be placed into groups and permitted to vote on whether to adopt the reorganisation plan. Details of the hearing date and participation instructions will be announced via press release and the company's website. Unless plan negotiations are ordered earlier, a reorganisation may last at most one year, or 15 months from the initial decision in such cases.

Fredrik Aaben, CEO, Enviro, said, "The District Court's decision gives us the opportunity to continue the intensive work of completing the company reorganisation. We have taken several important steps forward and are now working purposefully to establish a strong and long-term sustainable Scandinavian Enviro Systems. The strong interest in Enviro's technology persists, both with regard to licensing and other forms of collaboration. We are firmly committed to completing the reorganisation and building a strong industrial company based on our world-leading technology.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental has launched the Conti HSR 5 EP steer tyre and Conti HDR 5 EP drive tyre, expanding its Generation 5 regional haul lineup. Engineered for regional fleet operations, both products target greater mileage, better fuel economy and longer casing life, aiming to lower fleets’ total cost of ownership.

The tyres suit routes marked by frequent stops and starts, urban and suburban travel and changing road surfaces. Their advanced tread patterns and latest compound technology seek a balance among wear performance, rolling resistance and retreadability while supporting year-round operation.

For the steer position, the Conti HSR 5 EP uses a new five-rib tread pattern and optimised footprint to improve wear and promote even treadwear. With Continental’s Generation 5 compound, it offers an estimated 22 percent mileage gain over its predecessor while keeping rolling resistance low for fuel efficiency.

The Conti HDR 5 EP drive tyre combines an open shoulder design, enhanced stone-trapping resistance and better cut-and-chip protection to preserve casing integrity and retread potential. It delivers an estimated 19 percent removal mileage improvement over its predecessor while maintaining fuel-saving rolling resistance. Both tyres are available from October 2026 in key regional haul sizes, with more sizes planned during 2027.

Shaun Uys, Vice President Marketing and Sales, Truck Tires US, said, "Regional fleets continue to face mounting pressure to improve operating efficiency while controlling costs. The new Conti HSR 5 EP and Conti HDR 5 EP were developed to help fleets go farther on every tyre investment through increased removal mileage, lower fuel consumption and enhanced casing life."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The DUNLOP Group is restructuring its sustainability management to more closely align business strategies with sustainability initiatives, aiming to achieve sustainable corporate value growth. As part of this effort, each business division will establish a Divisional Sustainability Promotion Committee under the umbrella of the existing Sustainability Promotion Committee, which oversees company-wide efforts. This change is intended to accelerate the integration of business strategies and sustainability measures.

The newly formed divisional committees will discuss and decide on sustainability policies designed to create business opportunities and drive growth within their respective divisions. They will also monitor progress towards division-specific targets under the Long-Term Sustainability Targets, known as ‘Driving Our Future Initiatives’, and share relevant information. Progress updates will be reported to the Sustainability Promotion Committee, strengthening company-wide monitoring.

Chart of sustainability management structure

In addition, a cross-divisional Sustainable Natural Rubber (SNR) Subcommittee will be launched to manage and reduce risks and create opportunities in the natural rubber supply chain. Natural rubber is a natural capital resource on which the Group’s business significantly depends and also has significant impacts. The subcommittee will address these issues from natural capital and human rights perspectives, based on the Sustainable Natural Rubber Policy.

The SNR Subcommittee will serve as a cross-functional body that concentrates and accelerates the Group’s various SNR activities. By aligning with biodiversity and human rights initiatives and taking a mid- to long-term approach, it will pursue sustainable natural rubber through efforts such as supporting natural rubber farmers and collaborating with external partners.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!