Techworks Scam (Victims of web-based crime have more than doubled)
VICTIMS of cyber crime in Wales more than doubled in the past year and the problem cost businesses nearly £400m, says a report from online safety group e-Crime Wales.
It said the country witnessed a 67% increase in online security incidents such as the attempted hacking of passwords, data loss and the spreading of viruses over the past 12 months.
The cost to businesses, based on turnover in 2009, is estimated at £373m and e-Crime Wales said the average Welsh business is losing more than 3% of turnover – almost £2,000 as a result of e-Crime.
E-Crime Wales said its research proved businesses are becoming more aware of online risks and acting accordingly, with more than half increasing spending on IT security in the past year.
However, the same businesses are also becoming increasingly dependent on computer systems and the internet, with the growth of “cloud computing” – where data is saved online – also leaving businesses vulnerable to new types of cyber-crime.
In order to combat the threat of e-Crime, which costs the UK £10bn in total, Wales has taken a lead on prevention.
Wales is the only country in Europe to have dedicated e-Crime officers in each of its police forces, and e-Crime Wales holds an annual summit to promote online safety, and keep businesses informed on the latest threats.
Andrea Barnard, e-Crime Wales police manager, said: “The integration of technology has huge benefits for Welsh businesses, enabling growth, reducing costs, increasing competitiveness and enhancing profitability. This is why we’re committed to making Wales a safe place to do business online.
“But e-criminals are highly resourceful, and as they’re not bound by the same laws and regulations they’re forever one step ahead of the game, finding new ways to attack and compromise businesses.
“E-crime is always evolving so businesses need to stay vigilant to the latest solutions to ensure safe trading, and businesses in Wales have a unique opportunity to take advantage of the free of charge resources e-Crime Wales has to offer.”
The loss of confidential data was an area highlighted as a major concern to businesses in the survey, with almost half of businesses surveyed saying that their own staff has leaked or lost sensitive information.
Catering equipment supplier IMC in Wrexham is one recent victim of e-crime. The company received what purported to be an e-mail from a regular customer asking for five items of machinery. The machinery was dispatched, and the vendor billed – but the e-mails turned out to be fraudulent and IMC never received payment.
Tim Tindle, of IMC, said the incident had taught the firm a lesson in vigilance and it has since implemented procedures not to let it happen again.
He said: “I was absolutely amazed when I learned how large a problem this is across Wales. You already have internet security measures to stop viruses and phishing, you have burglar alarms to make sure you don’t get burgled – this is another area to have emerged. “My advice is for firms to have a second system of checks in place so that you can stop anyone suspicious from taking advantage.”
This year’s e-Crime Wales Summit will be held at the Celtic Manor Hotel in Newport on July 15. Businesses can register their interest in the Summit or access further information about when e-Crime Wales officers will be in their area at www.ecrimewales.com
To find out how you can get involved in the IT Security industry, visit us at www.techworks-learning.com
Filed under techworks scam, Uncategorized by on Nov 17th, 2010. Comment. 
Probate
Probate is a legal process whereby someone’s will is proved to be valid in order to be able to distribute a deceased possessions amongst family and other beneficiaries. Once the will has been processed then property can be transferred to their heirs.
Probate is a legal process and within a probate court, a will be validated to ensure it is legal and binding. The deceased will have left instructions with the executor of the will to advise him of family and other parties who may have claims against their estate.
As with any other legal proceeding, probate comes with a variety of technical aspects. Paperwork will have to be dealt with by a number of people including creditors and legal notices will need to be published. Any properties belonging to the deceased, whether solely or jointly will have to be addressed and in some cases property will be sold off to cover the deceased debts.
When the estate of the deceased is over a certain amount, whether in cash or property or other investment types then inheritance tax, gift tax or estate tax may have to be paid. All costs arisen through probate will generally be paid from the deceased estate prior to it being distributed to the heirs.
In some cases the deceased may have had pending lawsuits against him or her following their death and this may well have an effect on how quickly probate can be processed.
For all the property to be distributed it may well be several months or even over a year and when large estates are concerned then court and lawyer fee’s can rise into thousands.
Many people have been misled to believe that avoiding probate fees Ontario avoids estate taxes, however this is not the case and probate should always be carried out to avoid other legal costs incurred when acting as an administrator of a living trust or other arrangement.
If you would like to get more information and resources on everything to do with probate and probate fee’s then please make contact with us today. We are specialists in probate and can answer any questions you may have concerning organising probate. Organising probate properly is essential to ensure you get everything right and probate goes through as smoothly as possible speak with an expert as soon as you can. We are experts in the field of probate and our website is full of resources and valuable information to help you along the way.
Filed under techworks scam by on May 18th, 2012. Comment.