By Bit-Wizards
With the latest laptops, phones, tablets and smart devices in the hands of many after the holidays, homes and businesses are swept up in the excitement of new technology.
Accompanying the rush of dopamine will likely be better features and convenience, but it also opens the door to new cybersecurity risks. It’s not because hackers suddenly become more active, but because users unknowingly make it easier for them to exploit.
This is why the first of the year consistently experiences a sharp surge in cyberattacks. According to IT Governance, history has shown that incidents can increase by more than 700% in January compared to December.
The problem isn’t the new technology itself; it’s how quickly people start using it. New devices are often turned on and connected immediately, without changing default settings, applying critical updates, or securing home and office networks. Passwords are reused, software security prompts are delayed, and when routines are interrupted by holidays, travel or year-end fatigue, important safeguards are frequently overlooked.
For businesses, the risk of cyber threats is even worse. Employees might bring personal devices to work, access company systems from home networks, or install new software without fully understanding the associated risks. When you combine these actions with unclear company IT policies that aren’t enforced, the risk of costly damage increases.
Another common mistake made during this time of year is assuming new devices are secure right out of the box. In reality, default configurations are designed for ease of use, not protection. Hackers actively scan for devices that haven’t been updated, properly configured or monitored. Once inside a system, they can access sensitive information, disrupt operations or steal identities, sometimes without immediate detection.
The good news? Taking a few proactive steps can significantly reduce your risk. Owners of new devices can follow setup prompts that allow them to customize security settings, or they can manually perform these actions:
– Accept and install operating system updates, firmware patches, and security software before syncing accounts or storing sensitive information.
– Change default usernames, passwords, and avoid reusing credentials across different platforms.
– Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible—it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized access.
Network security is also important. Wi-Fi networks should be protected with passwords, encrypted, and kept separate from guest access. Businesses should review access permissions, especially after staff changes or role transitions that often occur at the beginning of the year.
Incorporating these small habits can make the difference between a smooth new year and a resource-draining breach.
Bit-Wizards encourages you to use this to set the tone for the year. Just as you would with your budget or health, incorporate healthy cyber practices into your new year’s routine to protect your devices, data and peace of mind.
For more information on how businesses can protect new devices and reduce cybersecurity risks this year, visit Bit-Wizards at https://bitwizards.com/managed-it-services.
