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.

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ZC Rubber presented its comprehensive tyre portfolio at the China International Tire Expo (CITEXPO) 2026 in Shanghai, featuring an integrated display of its five core brands: WESTLAKE, GOODRIDE, TRAZANO, CHAOYANG and TIANLI. The exhibition booth was organised to cover a wide range of applications, including passenger car, commercial vehicle, agricultural and off-highway segments. Prominently featured were large-format TIANLI agricultural tyres alongside commercial vehicle offerings, effectively illustrating the extensive scope of the manufacturer’s production capabilities.

Beyond product displays, the company utilised the event to emphasise its expanding global footprint. Attendees were given insights into ZC Rubber’s international business network, strategic brand partnerships and ongoing initiatives in sustainable manufacturing practices. Throughout the expo, the company engaged in extensive dialogues with customers and industry stakeholders from diverse markets, addressing specific product inquiries, regional market demands and potential avenues for future collaboration.

The expo participation underscored ZC Rubber’s commitment to strengthening its worldwide presence across multiple dimensions, from manufacturing and branding to market development. Moving forward, the company reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating with international partners to adapt to changing global market requirements and to pursue emerging business opportunities.

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Hankook Tire has secured a three-year agreement to serve as the official tyre supplier for the RC2, RC3 and RC4 classes of the Kroon-Oil Belgian Rally Championship. Already the exclusive tyre provider for the FIA World Rally Championship and numerous other international series, the company continues to leverage motorsport to validate its high-performance competition tyres.

This new Belgian commitment expands Hankook’s rally portfolio following its Global Partner status with the FIA, while distribution will remain with Kronos Tires to ensure operational continuity. Celebrating its 85th anniversary, the South Korean manufacturer operates across 160 countries with eight production facilities. Its global motorsport footprint now exceeds 70 events, where it supplies tyres or provides team support, reinforcing its technological credentials.

Xavier Schene, Director General of RACB Sport, said, “Throughout 2027, 2028 and 2029, tyres for the RC2, RC3 and RC4 classes in the Kroon-Oil Belgian Rally Championship will be supplied exclusively by Hankook. For competitors, these tyres offer an attractive solution from a competitive perspective as the Korean manufacturer has been the exclusive tyre partner of the FIA World Rally Championship since 2025. From next season onwards, this will also give WRC drivers the opportunity to use Belgian Rally Championship events as test rallies in preparation for WRC events. Hankook tyres are also used in the Junior ERC.”

Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director, Hankook Motorsport, said, “Naturally, we are very pleased and proud that Hankook will become the exclusive tyre partner of the Kroon-Oil Belgian Rally Championship for the next three seasons in RC2, RC3 and RC4 classes. The BRC is one of the strongest national rally championships in Europe and will provide an excellent showcase for the performance and quality of our asphalt competition tyres.”

 “As BRC Promoter, we are delighted that a global tyre brand such as Hankook has committed to becoming the exclusive tyre supplier of the Kroon-Oil BRC. The competitive package of the tyres is an important asset in this respect and will help us keep costs manageable for our teams,” said Stevy Courteyn on behalf of BRC Promotion.

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Doublestar Tire emerged as a standout exhibitor at the 21st China (Shanghai) International Tire & Wheel Expo (CITEXPO), which commenced on 2 September at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. The event, recognised as a premier professional gathering in the Asia-Pacific region, attracted over 400 international exhibitors displaying the latest industry innovations. Among them, Doublestar distinguished itself with a portfolio focused on high differentiation and added value, capturing significant attention from attendees.

In response to varied overseas requirements, the tyre manufacturer presented a comprehensive product range addressing commercial and passenger vehicle applications. For the commercial sector, the flagship TBR tyre D902 was engineered with an abrasion-resistant compound and an advanced tread design. This configuration ensures stability and longevity under high-temperature, long-haul conditions, offering fleet operators a balance of dependable performance and economic efficiency.

The passenger vehicle lineup featured the EV95 SAFORT tyre, a specialised product for new energy vehicles incorporating the company’s proprietary ‘Safort’ support technology. This innovation addresses critical new energy vehicle demands, including reduced rolling resistance and minimal noise levels. The exhibition also included additional differentiated products, underscoring Doublestar’s commitment to understanding and fulfilling evolving consumer preferences through targeted engineering.

Throughout the expo, the company’s booth drew sustained interest from domestic and international buyers, with the overseas sales team outlining technical benefits and application-specific advantages. These interactions led to substantive discussions and positive indications for prospective partnerships. Looking ahead, Doublestar intends to persist in developing safer, more energy-efficient tire solutions, reinforcing the competitive standing of Chinese tire manufacturers in the global marketplace.

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BendPak has announced that all current models within its Ranger line of wheel balancers and tyre changers now feature ETL certification as a standard offering. This independent validation, conducted by Intertek Testing Services, confirms that the equipment complies with applicable UL and CSA safety standards for both the United States and Canadian markets. The certification rigorously covers electrical, pneumatic and mechanical safety requirements, ensuring robust operator protection and adherence to workplace compliance regulations.

The achievement of this certification was the result of an extensive 18-month internal project focused on comprehensively redesigning critical components. The initiative mandated sweeping upgrades across the equipment's electrical architecture, structural framework and both mechanical and pneumatic systems to meet the stringent criteria. Every aspect of the machines was scrutinised to ensure they could withstand the demands of the certification process.

Throughout the development cycle, a primary emphasis was placed on mitigating operator risks inherent in daily tire service tasks. Engineers systematically assessed potential hazards, including pinch-point dangers, moving parts, electrical and fire risks and high-pressure systems. When existing configurations fell short of the required benchmarks, teams implemented complete redesigns, replaced substandard parts and integrated new protective safeguards to address these vulnerabilities.

Following these extensive modifications, each piece of equipment underwent a battery of rigorous tests to verify its safety and performance prior to final approval. The certified lineup includes models such as the DST30PX, LS45DS, RB30T, DST2420X, R745, R980XR, R76ATR, R980DP, R80EX and R26FLT. These certified units are now clearly identifiable by the ETL mark displayed on their product labels.

Jeff Kritzer, President and CEO, BendPak, said, “The end result is not just a certification mark. Certification represents a fundamentally higher level of product engineering, component quality, mechanical and electrical safety, durability and overall North American compliance, giving customers confidence that their Ranger equipment is built to the highest standards.”

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