The holiday season is a time for celebration, travel, end-of-year projects, and employees rushing to wrap up the year before heading out for some well-deserved time off. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the busiest times of the year for cybercriminals. With offices lightly staffed, employees shopping online, and companies rushing to close out the year, threat actors take advantage of these distractions – and they do it well.
QR codes have become prevalent in our daily lives, reflecting their widespread integration into modern technology. These square-shaped barcodes, once a novelty, are now a common sight on posters, business cards, and even food packaging. But beneath their convenience lies a potential cybersecurity risk that every business and individual should be aware of.
A recent high-profile cybercrime case has sent shockwaves through the insurance industry — and it should serve as a wake-up call for businesses everywhere. In March 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice sentenced a Florida man to 13 years in federal prison for orchestrating a long-running data theft scheme targeting insurance companies. According to court documents, the ringleader and his co-conspirators infiltrated over 70 insurance companies, stealing confidential consumer data to funnel leads to third-party marketing firms — all without the victims’ knowledge or consent.
Social media is a powerful tool for communication, networking, and even business growth. But while it connects people and spreads information at lightning speed, it also amplifies misinformation—including dangerous cybersecurity myths.
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