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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JK Tyre & Industries  is investing INR 11.3 billion to expand production capacity across truck and bus radial, passenger car radial and off-the-road tyre segments, as strong demand pushes utilisation levels close to full.

The programme will raise overall capacity by about seven percent through projects at its Banmore, Laksar and Mysuru plants. Passenger car radial expansion at Banmore has been completed and is ramping up, with full capacity expected by July 2026. Truck and bus radial capacity at Laksar is due to come on stream by April 2026, while the off-highway expansion at Mysuru is already complete.

The investment forms part of the company’s broader INR 50 billion capital-expenditure plan over five years, focused on premium passenger tyres and radial technologies. Management said the share of larger-rim passenger tyres in its mix had risen to about 31 per cent from 27 per cent a year earlier, underpinning the need for additional capacity.

Indian operations are running at more than 90 percent utilisation, with radial tyre capacity above 95 per cent and consolidated utilisation above 85 percent. The expansion is intended to support continued growth in domestic replacement and original-equipment demand, as well as exports.

Separately, JK Tyre has completed the merger of subsidiary Cavendish Industries Ltd., after improving its utilisation from roughly 30 per cent to more than 95 per cent. The integration is expected to deliver operational synergies and strengthen capacity availability across product lines.

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Falken Tyre Europe GmbH is reshaping its summer tyre portfolio in response to shifting automotive trends on the continent, with a significant expansion planned for 2026. The updated lineup directly addresses the growing dominance of SUVs – which now represent 54 percent of new car registrations – and the accelerating shift towards electrification, with battery-electric vehicles holding a 17.5 percent market share in the first half of 2025. These developments have created heightened demand for larger tyre sizes and increased load capacities to accommodate heavier vehicle weights and the instant torque delivery of electric powertrains, all while preserving ride comfort and safety.

A key element of this enhanced portfolio is the AZENIS FK520, which now encompasses a broader array of larger rim diameters and wider footprints to suit both premium SUVs and high-performance automobiles. Its construction continues to emphasise a balance of strength and weight efficiency, incorporating reinforcement materials that support stability during demanding cornering and braking manoeuvres on dry tarmac. This approach ensures that drivers of heavier, more powerful vehicles can still experience precise handling characteristics.

For the rapidly expanding segment of battery-electric and hybrid vehicles, the e. ZIEX line has been developed to address their unique operational requirements. New size additions cater directly to popular electric models, while original equipment approval for Audi Q6 e-tron underscores its suitability for modern EV platforms. The tyre’s engineering focuses on extending range and durability through a carefully designed tread structure that promotes uniform pressure distribution, thereby reducing internal resistance and slowing the rate of wear across the contact patch.

At the pinnacle of the range, the AZENIS RS820 draws directly from Falken’s involvement in endurance motorsport to deliver ultra-high-performance capabilities for exotic sports cars and supercars. Its compound formulation and shoulder architecture are optimized for lateral stiffness on dry circuits and reliable grip in wet conditions, a combination that has led to its selection as original equipment on a premium performance sedan. Complementing these specialist products, the ZIEX ZE320 offers a broadly accessible option for everyday passenger cars, incorporating features that reduce interior noise and improve fuel economy through a lighter, more efficient casing structure.

Marcus Schulz, Product Manager, Falken, said, “Consumer demand for EVs and SUVs is reshaping Europe’s automotive landscape and Falken is ready to meet that challenge. Our 2026 summer range has grown in the areas where we are noticing this growth, ensuring more of Europe’s drivers can rely on Falken’s safe, efficient and performant range – always backed by our five-year guarantee.”

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Maxxis tyres demonstrated their competitive edge during the 2026 King of the Hammers (KOH) off-road racing event, where affiliated athletes achieved notable success across several demanding vehicle classes. The most significant victory came in the premier 4900 UTV Hammers Championship, where competitor Jeff Martin secured the overall win. Martin, driving for the Blais Motorsports team in the Open UTV category, navigated the notoriously difficult Johnson Valley landscape on Maxxis Roxxzilla tyres. His performance was characterised by strategic driving and steady control, which allowed him to outpace the competition and claim the top position.

Further highlighting the capability of the Roxxzilla tyre, legendary motocross figure Jeremy McGrath turned in a remarkable performance by finishing ninth overall. This achievement was particularly impressive given that McGrath was competing in the Pro Stock NA class against a field largely composed of more powerful turbocharged vehicles. His top-ten result served as a testament to both his driving expertise and the reliability of his Maxxis rubber. The UTV Pro Modified class also saw Maxxis-supported athletes dominate the podium, with Scott Lesage taking first place and Tommy Thompson securing second.

The punishing nature of the event was evident in the experience of Can-Am driver Hunter Miller. After contending near the front of the 4900 race, Miller’s bid for victory was derailed by a steering malfunction. Despite sustaining significant damage to his vehicle, he demonstrated considerable resilience by continuing to fight through the field and ultimately finishing eighth in the Open UTV class. Before the main events, Maxxis athletes had already established a strong foundation during the earlier Desert Challenge, with Dustin Jones and Todd Zuccone each earning podium finishes in their respective classes. The collective results throughout the week’s racing reaffirmed the brand’s reputation for providing durable, high-performing and consistent tyres capable of handling the extreme and varied conditions that define the King of the Hammers.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) had the pleasure of welcoming Thomas Colonna, Head of the Asia Regional Office from the European Forest Institute (EFI), for a courtesy visit to its Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur on 13 February 2026.

The meeting provided a valuable platform for constructive dialogue focused on strengthening collaboration in sustainability and responsible natural resource management. Both parties exchanged views on potential joint initiatives, with particular attention given to supporting smallholder farmers across ANRPC member countries in the context of evolving global environmental requirements.

The discussions underscored a shared commitment to advancing cooperation and promoting resilient, sustainable practices within the natural rubber sector, marking a positive step forward in the relationship between the two organisations.

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