Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked a lot Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), and how such threats require a different class of protection in order to be managed effectively.

There can be no doubt that APT attacks are a real threat. Such threats are unpredictable in nature, could lead to devastating consequences, and could affect just about any organization. The recent work from ISACA on the 2012 Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) Awareness Study shows 63% of security professionals said they were or could be a target for APT attacks. That alone says that people in the know are taking this threat seriously.

But that survey also showed that fewer than 10% of those surveyed understood that these threats are significantly different from traditional threats. Awareness of the problem is a good start. But there’s work to be done to increase awareness around solutions.

As part of our ongoing work to help educate people about threats as well as solutions, we’ve partnered with Forrester Research on a new study: Mitigating Targeted Attacks Requires an Integrated Solution. This study surveyed 350 IT enterprise security decision-makers in the US, UK, France, and Germany, asking them about their technology expectations for targeted threat detection and response. It outlines some of the effective steps organizations are taking to protect themselves from APT attacks. In addition, it also highlights some areas of caution too: most notably that a number of organizations are still focusing resources in the wrong direction to protect against APT attacks.

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This upcoming 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), various companies will unveil the latest gadgets and devices from laptops, tablets, and smartphones to home automated systems and smart TVs. While these Interned-enabled devices offer convenience and accessibility, they can also introduce security risks. Previously, we have seen reports on unauthorized access by third parties on devices such as smart TVs, printers, heart devices, and coffee makers. In our blog entry, New Gadget + the Internet = New Threat, senior threats researcher Ranieri Romera posed the question of how safe is it to connect new, Internet-enabled devices to the Internet. Furthermore, he tackled how cybercriminals can potentially leverage vulnerabilities found on these devices to steal crucial user information. He also mentioned that the lack of security options in devices make these vulnerable.

In our infographic, The Automated Home of Tomorrow: How Vulnerable is it to Cybercrime? we demonstrate sample devices and their possible security risks scenarios based on our research. For instance, smart refrigerators that enable users to buy their groceries online can be used by cybercriminals as an avenue to steal login credentials and order unwanted items without user’s knowledge. On the other hand, when cars and home security systems (like CCTV cameras, door locks etc.) are hacked, these could put users at danger. Cybercriminals can disrupt car functions, which might lead to accidents and open homes to possible intrusion.

Users are highly recommended to inquire first the available security options and device’s features before purchasing any gadgets. It is also important for users to be more pro-security and familiarize themselves on the risks of connecting devices to the Internet For tips and best practices, read our e-guide, A Guide to 2013 New Year’s Resolutions.

Experts are predicting this holiday season will be the biggest holiday season for mobile devices yet. Whether it’s Android or iOS, phones or tablets, odds are good that you or someone in your family will be unwrapping and using a new device this holiday season.

But once you unwrap your new device and turn it on before you do anything else, you should take some time to secure your device properly. Installing security software, configuring settings on the device to protect your security and privacy: these are all things you should do next after turning it on.

In our new infographic “Unwrapping Mobile Security,” our experts step you through some things you can and should do to make sure your devices and your kids’ devices are set up to help better protect them.

Take a few minutes to check it out and have a safe and fun holiday season.