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How to check if a link is safe?

Imagine: a newsletter of an online shop you like drops in your inbox’s spam folder. You open it anyway—after all, it’s not unusual for these emails to be incorrectly marked as spam. Not all components are loading as they should, but it looks convincing enough for you to open the link to see more. Once on the page, you sense something’s off. You take a closer look at the URL bar and realize this uncanny valley feeling is not unwarranted—it’s similar enough, but not the actual website. You’ve accidentally ended up clicking on a scam link.

Creating a spoof website remains a popular phishing technique among cybercriminals, and it can, unfortunately, convince unsuspecting users to give up their sensitive information themselves. Let’s learn how to check if a link is safe before clicking it to dodge such scams and stay safe online.

Why should you check if a link is safe?

It’s really simple—by opening an unsafe link, you risk your digital safety and put your private data at risk. Scam links are a prominent tool in phishing campaigns. Their goal is to get you to inadvertently reveal valuable personal information yourself. Phishy links aim to trick the user by imitating a reliable service. By the time you realize the website you visited wasn’t real, your data may already have made its way to the dark web.

Scam link campaigns try to toy with the users’ emotions and rationale. They often build a sense of urgency, for example, by convincing the user that there’s a problem with an account or a transaction. Likewise, they want to build trust with the target by imitating the service the user would otherwise believe to be real.

Your login details are valuable to scammers for a few reasons. One, they can sell credentials in bulk on the dark web for profit. Two, users still often reuse the same password for multiple accounts, meaning that breaching one can open the doors to many others, including governmental, medical, or banking accounts.

Speaking of banking, scam sites frequently replicate e-commerce pages, as fake purchases allow hackers to collect users’ payment information, like credit card numbers. They can then use this data in financial scams, like falsified tax returns or money laundering.

Personal addresses can also be stolen via scam sites, allowing hackers to spam not just your digital inbox, but your physical mailbox as well. Your address can then be falsely used to register fraud companies or to forge your identity online.

Malware is another risk you can run into when you’re faced with a scam link. Websites have different interactive elements that, once clicked, can download a file on your device. It’s an easy way for cybercriminals to infect your computer with malware like a Trojan virus, steal your data, install a keylogger, or cryptojack your device.

Overall, scam sites can wreak havoc on the security of your personal data. Learning to spot scam links and avoiding them altogether is a surefire way to keep your identity secure both online and in the real world.

How a scam link works

While the emergence of AI has made it more difficult to tell scam sites apart from legitimate ones, there are some telltale signs that they’re built with nefarious intentions.

The scam domain is often very similar to the actual page. It might use extra dashes and a subdomain to confuse the user. If the scam link leads to a mobile app, it might copy the logo and name of the service as well, replacing a few characters or making it appear more generic to avoid getting flagged by app store algorithms.

Not all scam links are overtly similar to their “inspirations.” Often, scammers use shortening services to create a custom coy link that does not immediately reveal the domain or allow the user to guess where it might lead. Such links can spoof parcel tracking sites, discount codes, and similar, more personalized offers and services.

Just clicking on a scam website does not mean that your device has been immediately hacked or that your data has been stolen. Such websites usually require you to perform actions yourself, like entering your login credentials, downloading a file, or connecting to a cloud account, before they can do any real damage. This means you have time to investigate the website to determine whether it’s legitimate or not.

How to tell if a link is safe

If you’re suspicious about a URL, there are a few ways to check whether it’s safe to open. It’s pretty easy to analyze the link yourself without opening it.

  • Check browser history

    If it’s a site you’ve visited before, you can copy and paste the URL into your browser’s search bar or history to see if it finds any previously visited matches.

  • Hover over the link

    If the link is embedded in a text like “Click here” or “Log in,” you can hover over it with your mouse to preview the URL, or right-click and copy it. Then, paste it safely into an empty document to get a better look at the domain.

  • Compare with a legitimate link

    Likewise, you can take both the suspicious URL and the legitimate one, paste them into the same file, and compare the characters. Hackers are likely to use tricks like replacing the letter O with a zero or using a lowercase L instead of an uppercase i to trick the user. If the link is a match, proceed as usual. If not, you can run it through a deeper check.

  • Use a link-checking tool

    You can use a dedicated website that scans a URL and sees if it’s safe. For instance, NordVPN’s Link Checker scans the URL for any malware or phishing threats and warns you if the link is unsafe, protecting you from a potential cyber incident. You can also attempt to find the site’s domain information to see if the registration is recent or matches the legitimate service’s data.

  • Look for the HTTPS protocol

    Although it’s not recommended to open suspicious links, if you’ve done so, look at the protocol part of the URL. If you don’t see HTTPS at the beginning of the link, the site is not using a secure protocol, and your data is not being encrypted. You should close such a website immediately.

How to check if a link is safe on an Android or iOS device?

Checking whether a link is safe is a lot easier on a desktop—you can see the link preview on the browser, quickly check the security protocol, and even close the tab with a simple keyboard shortcut instead of a mouse click. With smartphones, matters are a little more fickle.

Links sent to a phone can be harder to copy, depending on app restrictions. The touchscreen also makes it harder to close or leave a suspicious link without accidentally pressing an interactive part of the screen. If the website contains pop-ups, closing them can also be a tough battle to win. Here’s how to check whether a link is legit to stay safe while browsing your phone.

For iOS phones, Safari offers a tool that alerts you if you attempt to visit a scam page. To use it, go to your phone settings, find “Safari,” and switch on “Fraudulent Website Warning.”

If you’re using an Android device, you can activate secure browser settings:

  1. Go to your device settings and find the “Security and privacy” category.

  2. Select “More security settings.”

  3. Select “Android Safe Browsing” and toggle on “Use live threat detection.”

I think I clicked a scam link. What should I do?

Here’s some good news—simply clicking on the link doesn’t necessarily mean damage has been caused. Scam URLs are usually just one step of the process. Nevertheless, if you think you’ve opened a phishy site, act with caution.

If you opened the website

If you’ve opened a link and can clearly tell it’s a scam, close the tab immediately and delete it from your browser history to avoid accidentally reopening it. Alternatively, open the link using an incognito tab. This prevents the site from potentially accessing your personal data and keeps it from appearing in your history.

Make sure you don’t click anything on the site—even if you avoid the obvious interactive buttons, other design aspects and the empty background space might have been deliberately developed to be interactive. Do not enter any personal information, like login credentials, address, or payment information.

If the website prompted you to log in and you entered your credentials, make sure to change your password on the real site immediately. If the account did not have multi-factor authentication activated yet, consider switching it on. That way, even if the cybercriminals have taken your personal details, you will lower the chances of them overtaking your account.

If you downloaded a file

If the website caused you to download a file and you could not stop the download process, do not open it. Instead, delete the file from your device permanently. The file may contain malware that could infect your computer and gain access to your data. As a precaution, scan your device using antivirus software even after you’ve deleted the file.

Getting ahead of the fallout

Keep an eye on potentially breached accounts for the foreseeable future in case of suspicious activity or misuse. If you happen to use the same password for other accounts, update those login details as well. Make sure you use new and unique passwords for each account—you can easily do this with a password generator.

A good course of action is to contact the legitimate service provider to let them know about the scam. That way, criminal activities can be detected faster, and you can protect yourself and others from falling prey.

Staying secure online

Suspicious links are a sneaky online threat—they’re easy to overlook, but falling for them can have huge consequences for your personal data. So, make sure you stay alert, master the art of dodging insecure links, and get a few tools to help you keep your data secure even if a cybercriminal tries to target you, starting with a password manager.

NordPass is an intuitive password manager that ensures your login credentials are safe and only autofills them for you when it recognizes you’re on the right website. So, if you’ve got your bank password saved on NordPass and a scammer tries to get you to log in to a fake banking site, you won’t automatically log in by accident.

NordPass allows you to generate and store strong and unique passwords for your new and existing accounts, letting you quickly update any login credentials that might have been compromised. You can also use the Data Breach Scanner to check whether your password or credit card details have appeared on the dark web and take action to update your old credentials.

Sharpen your awareness of digital scams and keep your data safe with NordPass.

About NordPass
NordPass is developed by Nord Security, a company leading the global market of cybersecurity products.

The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Improving Backup Performance

When it comes to backup performance, every little detail counts. Unfortunately, some companies tend to oversimplify the discussion, focusing only on a handful of key factors. The reality is much more complex, and ignoring the finer points can put data protection at risk.

In a previous article (“Efficient Backup: Ready for the Black Scenario“), we explored backup methods, the importance of RTO and RPO, and the differences between data storage and backup. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Now, let’s dive deeper and examine how storage media, network throughput, and data reduction mechanisms impact backup performance. What should you consider when choosing the best solutions for your business?

Storage Media: A Tough Choice

Not long ago, using SSDs in NAS systems (often used for backups) seemed unnecessary. Today, almost every NAS device supports them. One of the loudest voices advocating for ditching traditional hard drives is VAST Data, a U.S.-based company specializing in large-scale data management. Their solution relies entirely on flash storage, offering archive-level data retention at a cost comparable to HDDs. With proprietary technology that extends SSD lifespan to up to 10 years, their systems reduce the need for multiple devices to store and protect data. Perhaps in the future, businesses won’t have to choose between HDDs and SSDs – but for now, that decision still matters.

Flash storage significantly boosts backup performance. For example, a standard SATA SSD can be twice as fast as a mechanical SATA hard drive, while NVMe SSDs can outperform HDDs by a staggering 35 times. That’s a game-changer. Yet, many businesses still favor HDDs due to their lower cost. At the start of 2024, a 1TB NVMe PCIe 5 SSD cost around $150 – the same price as an 8TB HDD.

With the growing demand for storage-driven by explosive data growth and backup best practices (3-2-1, 4-3-2, 3-2-1-1-0) – choosing the right media is critical. Many experts argue that hard drives remain more reliable and predictable, while SSDs, despite improvements, can still experience unexpected failures.

But HDDs and SSDs aren’t the only options. Tape storage remains in play, offering a much cheaper alternative to HDDs for long-term archival. However, HDDs are far superior for short-term storage and incremental backups. Speed is also a factor – HDDs provide faster data access compared to tape, where retrieving data can take minutes due to loading and rewinding times. Restoring a large file system from 30 tapes could add up to two hours of delay, whereas HDDs work instantly.

Read more about Data Storage:

Network Throughput: The Silent Bottleneck

Backup performance isn’t just about storage; network speed plays a huge role, too. If backups run multiple times a day, high bandwidth is essential. But if backups occur less frequently – say, once a week or only after hours – the network load is lower. To pinpoint bottlenecks, companies should analyze their network’s data transfer speed. A simple formula can help:

Backup Data Size / Backup Window (time allocated for backup without disrupting operations)

For instance, backing up 5TB of data within a six-hour window requires a network capable of transferring 853GB per hour (5,120GB / 6 hours). On a Fast Ethernet (100Base-T) network, transferring 250GB takes about an hour, whereas a Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T) network is ten times faster. In this case, Fast Ethernet won’t cut it.

To improve network performance, businesses can:

  • Extend the backup window
  • Use dedicated high-speed networks
  • Upgrade to Gigabit Ethernet
  • Optimize data through compression and deduplication

Slimming Down Data: Deduplication & Compression

With data storage costs on the rise, companies are turning to compression and deduplication to reduce backup sizes.

Compression comes in two types:

  • Lossy: Removes unnecessary data (e.g., reducing image quality slightly)
  • Lossless: Keeps all data intact, essential for text files, executables, and spreadsheets

For example, a 50MB file with a 2:1 compression ratio shrinks to 25MB. However, compression can reduce network throughput while processing data. While a small quality loss in compressed images may go unnoticed, it matters for high-resolution projects.

Deduplication, on the other hand, prevents redundant data from being stored multiple times. It scans, divides data into blocks, and saves only unique ones.

A key metric here is the deduplication factor, which is often misunderstood. If a solution advertises a 10:1 deduplication factor, it doesn’t mean twice the reduction compared to 20:1. Instead, the percentage of data saved follows this formula:

% Data Reduction = 1 – (1/DD) x 100%

  • 10:1 Deduplication: 90% data reduction
  • 20:1 Deduplication: 95% data reduction

The difference between a 10:1 and 20:1 factor is only 5%, not double the savings as some assume.

Performance Optimization: It’s All About Balance

Reducing backup sizes is a smart move, but it must align with broader data protection strategies. Think of it like fuel efficiency in a car: a vehicle might have great mileage, but if the driver has bad habits – like underinflated tires or carrying unnecessary weight – it will still waste fuel.

The same principle applies to backup performance. Every component – from media type and network speed to compression and deduplication – affects the overall efficiency. The key is balancing cost, speed, and reliability to ensure optimal data protection.

By understanding these details, businesses can make smarter backup decisions—without sacrificing performance or security.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About Storware
Storware is a backup software producer with over 10 years of experience in the backup world. Storware Backup and Recovery is an enterprise-grade, agent-less solution that caters to various data environments. It supports virtual machines, containers, storage providers, Microsoft 365, and applications running on-premises or in the cloud. Thanks to its small footprint, seamless integration into your existing IT infrastructure, storage, or enterprise backup providers is effortless.

Throwback to the Target Hack: How It Happened, and Lessons Learned….We Learned Lessons, Right?

The December 2013 Target hack remains one of the most infamous data breaches in cybersecurity history.  The hackers stole 40 million credit card numbers, got the PII (Personal Identifiable Information) of 70 million people, cost Target upwards of $200 million, and ruined Christmas for probably every single person working in Target’s IT department.  The breach not only tarnished Target’s reputation but also impacted several other sectors, highlighting the ripple effects of large-scale cyberattacks. Financial institutions faced increased costs for reissuing millions of compromised cards, while consumers dealt with heightened anxiety over identity theft and fraud. The breach also served as a wake-up call for retailers and businesses worldwide, prompting many to reevaluate their cybersecurity practices and adopt more robust systems to safeguard sensitive data. Ultimately, it underscored the critical importance of proactive cybersecurity measures in an increasingly interconnected world.

What the Hack Happened

The breach began when attackers targeted a third-party vendor that had legitimate access to Target’s network. The vendor, Fazio Mechanical Services, was a Pennsylvania-based HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) company that provided maintenance services to Target.

Attackers sent a phishing email to Fazio employees, and one unfortunate soul fell for it. That’s a point that deserves some emphasis – it only takes one person, one click, in one unguarded moment, to give the bad actors a way in.  

The laptop was protected with the free version of Malwarebytes – an excellent tool that scans for and eliminates malware when initiated by the user.  The version you pay for – that actually gets appropriately licensed for corporate use – has a real-time scanner that probably would have caught the issue, because the malware installed, called Citadel, was pretty well-known.

Network Infiltration

Using the stolen credentials from Fazio Mechanical Services, the attackers got access to a Target-hosted web service dedicated to outside vendors.  They uploaded a file that allowed them to install a web shell to execute commands on the hosting server.  Some call this a vulnerability, but there are lots of legitimate reasons a web application would let you upload files – invoices, for example – and while it should ideally block executables, it’s easy enough to disguise them. 

 They used a Pass-the-Hash attack to get domain admin credentials, and then the network was their playground.  They went looking for database servers, and they found them – to the tune of 70 million records of PII (Personally Identifiable Information.)

But here’s a fun fact – know what those databases did not contain?  Credit card numbers!  Because Target’s data was PCI-DSS compliant, there was no financial info stored on their database servers.  

Deployment of Malware & Exfiltration of Data

Having been foiled in their scheme by Target’s PCI-DSS compliance, the hackers moved on to plan B (or what might have been plan A all along, we don’t really know) – infiltrate the PoS (Point-of-Sale) servers and capture credit card data in real-time.  They did this using malware called Kaptoxa, which would scrape the machine’s memory and store anything that looked like a credit card number in a file. Then, the malware would periodically transfer that file to another server, which would transfer it back to the hackers via FTP.  

If you’ve been following along so far, one thing that may have stuck out to you was how the attackers were able to wander through the network, accessing pretty much whatever they pleased.  This is why standard security procedures – like role-based access control and network segmentation, are so important.  

Note: There’s a very thorough deep-dive about the hack here, including all of the tools, protocols, and technology used if you want to geek out.

Target’s Security Posture Before the Breach

You might think that Target had pretty poor security before the breach, but that was surprisingly (and alarmingly) not true.  They had a security team of over 300 employees and had just invested in the well-known security tool FireEye.  This tool actually did send out alerts about the malware, which the security team forwarded on to the operations team….but no one did anything about them.  Not only that, FireEye has a setting that can automatically remove Malware….and they turned it off. The thought was they wanted a human to make decisions about what to remove vs. automated software.  

Lessons Learned

So what are the lessons we can take away from Target?  Let’s review:

Lesson 1: Security can be expensive – but not nearly as expensive as a breach.

Lesson 2: Assume every device outside your organization is compromised, because eventually one will be.

Lesson 3: Regulatory compliance might be difficult, but it is often worth it.

Lesson 3: Pay attention to the security basics.  Role-based access control, least-privileged access and network segmentation are not new concepts, but they are invaluable to minimize damage.  

Lesson 4: Your security tools are essential; invest in them and tailor them to work for you.  Automation is there to make your life easier.  

We’re going on 12 years since this hack happened, and it still serves as a powerful reminder of the critical importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital age.  The Target breach underscored how even a single weak link in a company’s supply chain can have catastrophic consequences, impacting not only the business but also millions of customers. It also paved the way for stricter industry regulations and greater emphasis on safeguarding sensitive data. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the lessons from this breach remain especially relevant.  

About Portnox
Portnox provides simple-to-deploy, operate and maintain network access control, security and visibility solutions. Portnox software can be deployed on-premises, as a cloud-delivered service, or in hybrid mode. It is agentless and vendor-agnostic, allowing organizations to maximize their existing network and cybersecurity investments. Hundreds of enterprises around the world rely on Portnox for network visibility, cybersecurity policy enforcement and regulatory compliance. The company has been recognized for its innovations by Info Security Products Guide, Cyber Security Excellence Awards, IoT Innovator Awards, Computing Security Awards, Best of Interop ITX and Cyber Defense Magazine. Portnox has offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia. For information visit http://www.portnox.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.。

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

On a roll in Vegas? Don’t blow it – keep your digital guard up

 

Gamblers and dealers beware; whether in Vegas or Monte Carlo, it’s not strictly your wallet that’s at risk of running on empty.

What do gamblers, casinos, and the FBI have in common? If your answer is money, then try again. The digital age has arrived at brick-and-mortar casinos around the world, bringing with it its own flavor, including malice of a different kind than traditional card counters or chip dumping.

It’s true that casinos are highly regulated and well-protected against fraud of many kinds (often resembling or surpassing the security at hospitals and airports), but these days, it’s cybercriminals who have their eyes set on the grand prize. Casinos bank more than just their guests’ stakes. It’s the sensitive data they keep, such as financial records, personal details, and more, that make up the jackpot nowadays.

With ESET World 2025 taking place in the city of “lost wages” from March 24, 2025, perhaps it’s a good opportunity to raise cyber awareness in an area that might not be so obvious, as, increasingly, it is the data of the city’s guests, rather than the vaults, feed tables, and slot machines, that criminals are interested in.

The table is set

The city of Las Vegas has many nicknames. Also known as the “gambling capital of the world,” the city is known for its lustrous casinos, luxurious hotels, and, of course, games. Within every casino, virtually hundreds of thousands of US dollars get exchanged daily. In 2023, this accounted for a collective $66.5 billion in casino revenue.

Not even George Clooney’s Ocean’s Eleven character, Danny Ocean, would scoff at such an amount, but even he would be shocked at the idea that there is more to a casino than the contents of its vaults.

Beyond the billions is the valuable data of a casino’s clientele, from people searching for lodging to event organizers, or regular, everyday casino-goers. From an even broader perspective, data on business partners (supply chains that provide the machines and security systems), employees, and even the top managers themselves, would be of great interest.

Place your bets

Why is all of this so interesting to threat actors? Let’s start with the sensitive data, like personal information. Anyone who’s ever checked in at a hotel knows the sort of details they have to provide to be given their rooms, such as:

  1. Some form of an ID (state IDs, drivers’ licenses, passports, etc.)
  2. Their name, address, preferences, email
  3. Payment details

On top of that could be other specifics, such as further personal data (companions, dietary restrictions, accessibility requirements) or more. This much granular data can be very valuable on the black market, with stolen personal data from documents such as IDs or passports costing from hundreds to thousands of dollars per document.

Thus, threat actors roll the dice. In 2023, it came to light that the prominent casino chain MGM Resorts was targeted by a cyberattack, with hackers exfiltrating data such as names, contact information, gender, date of birth, IDs, and even Social Security numbers. The attack reportedly cost the chain around $100 million … certainly not chump change.

High rollers have a role

So, who’s responsible for the cybersecurity of the casino’s guests? From one point of view, it is the establishment itself, since, as it is providing a service, it needs to cover any liabilities. This is supported by regulations and guidelines recommending tight security, especially for sensitive data. Just off the top, PCI DSS would cover payment data, while the NIST Cybersecurity Framework would help a casino/hotel of any size to enact appropriate cyber measures.

For casinos in Las Vegas, the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) has a clear set of cybersecurity regulations for gaming operators to follow.

Perhaps this also places a bit too much of a burden on these places of entertainment. And, while guests don’t want such thoughts on their minds while hitting the jackpot, the reality is that personal awareness plays a big role when all the chips are down. Otherwise, man-in-the-middle attacks, in which cybercriminals create functional, but fake, Wi-Fi access points (aka “evil twin” networks), can gather sensitive data from victims’ devices.

Don’t bet the farm!

There are threats aplenty in the world of casinos. Scams with fake ads copying a well-known casino’s brand can present promising online gambling opportunities with great welcome bonuses. In fact, some of these scams use unauthorized photos of employees and properties to appear legitimate. What’s more, by pretending to be casino staff, bad actors could try to social engineer their way toward sensitive data, or even gain access to a casino’s systems.

Ace in the hole

What both casino operators and guests have in common is an understanding that stacking the deck in their favor is important. To double down on their security, they should consider:

  • Prevention-first security: Simple antiviruses aren’t enough to protect the myriad devices casinos, hotels, or their guests have. Also, as various IoT vulnerabilities and supply-chain breaches enter the mix, these businesses and consumers must be on a proactive lookout. Businesses should consider investing in a platform such as ESET PROTECT Elite, which can provide all-encompassing protection with vulnerability management and advanced threat defense.
  • Active threat hunting: For those casinos that lack the right IT staff, it would be wise to invest in a managed security service, such as ESET PROTECT MDR Ultimate, which, on top of product security, also adds highly tailored 24/7 protection with experts acting as your wild card against would-be malice, ensuring business continuity.
  • Security audits: This is especially useful for protecting against supply-chain threats. A security audit could highlight weaknesses in casino systems, enabling the defenders to patch them up on time.
  • Zero-trust: Access management methods such as zero-trust can ensure proper controls to mitigate the chances of unverified access. For employees, having a solution capable of Secure Authentication is one way to achieve this.
  • Integrate: Casinos with existing security solutions should consider diversifying their existing security stacks with additional solutions such as Threat Intelligence. Consider that the more details that are available to an operation, the better and faster their decisions could be, saving a business millions in minutes.
  • Mobile Security: Visitors to Vegas are very likely to be on the move. Hopping on and off various networks, trying out new apps, and signing up to promotions for discounts all get safer with a security solution like ESET Mobile Security, which offers protection from viruses, ransomware, and other malware. Prevention First helps you stay safe, evade phishing scams, shop safely, browse, and download files.

Incidentally, advice like this will be discussed at ESET World 2025, at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, where experts from all around the globe, from businesses, to analysts, to government actors, will present a path to achieving a secure future. Vegas will be the place to see where progress is protected, and to connect with CISOs, renowned threat hunters, and cybersecurity experts advising CISA, NATO, and Interpol.

Jackpot

There’s no reason not to implement powerful security measures to deter malicious actors from swooping in on one’s turf. This means that casinos, resorts, hotels, and even their guests, should realize that it’s not just everyone’s money they’re after – there are far more compelling reasons to be targeted.

 

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

ESET’s Ryan Grant Named a CRN® Channel Chief for Third Year in a Row

 

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Feb. 19, 2025 – ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, today announced that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Ryan Grant, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, to its 2025 CRN® Channel Chiefs list. This list recognizes the executives who are driving strategy, setting the channel agenda for their companies and working tirelessly to ensure mutual success with their partners and customers. 2025 marks the third year in a row that Grant has been named a Channel Chief.

Since joining ESET North America in 2021, Grant has been instrumental to the transformation and success of the company’s channel business. Grant oversees ESET’s U.S. & Canada sales and marketing teams, including enterprise, distribution, managed service provider (MSP), national service provider (NSP), value added reseller (VAR), and retailer segments.  He is also committed to providing more dynamic opportunities for ESET’s channel partners through innovative campaigns and go-to-market programs by working closely with the company’s events, marketing and public relations teams.

“I’m honored to be recognized by CRN alongside so many outstanding leaders from the channel community,” said Grant. “At ESET, we remain committed to empowering our partners with cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, technical expertise, and tailored support to help them navigate an increasingly complex threat and regulatory landscape. As a channel-first company, we view partner success as our success, so it’s critical that we empower partners with threat intelligence, resources and support that ensures they can quickly capitalize on new market opportunities and deliver exceptional protection to customers.”

The 2025 CRN Channel Chiefs were selected by CRN’s editorial staff based on their proven record of strategic innovation and dedication to the channel community. Under Grant’s direction, ESET has continued to refine its partner program and develop innovative technologies, processes and merchandising strategies. In 2024, the company focused on streamlining order processing, expanding its presence in the cyber risk insurance market and developing a unified API gateway, ESET Connect to empower partners with a catalogue of best-in-class integration partners. ESET also launched AI Advisor, which provides businesses with SOC-level advisory and enabling enhanced security analyst workflows. Unlike other vendor offerings and typical generative AI assistants that focus on soft features like administration or device management, ESET AI Advisor seamlessly integrates into the day-to-day operations of security analysts. This is a gamechanger for companies with limited IT resources who want to utilize the advantages of advanced XDR solutions and threat intelligence feeds.

Grant added, “As cyber threats grow more advanced and adversaries exploit generative AI, it’s crucial for our channel partners to adopt a robust security portfolio that reduces risk for their business customers. ESET stands out with a prevention-first strategy, leveraging AI and human expertise—backed by a world-class R&D team and industry-renowned researchers.”

“This year’s honorees exemplify dedication, innovation, and leadership that supports solution provider success and fosters growth across the channel,” said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content, and Executive Editor, CRN, at The Channel Company. “Each of these exceptional leaders has made a lasting channel impact by championing partnerships and designing creative strategies that get results. They’ve set a high bar in the channel, and we’re thrilled to recognize their standout achievements.”

CRN’s 2025 Channel Chiefs list is featured in the February 2025 print issue of CRN® Magazine and online at www.CRN.com/ChannelChiefs.

To learn more about ESET’s partner program, visit https://www.eset.com/us/partnernow/.

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.