Forbes labeled 2020 as the Zoom Era, meaning people are glued to their devices since their main means of communication is video conferences for business meetings, gatherings with friends and family, and even workouts with their favorite instructors. While the convenience is there, the privacy may not be.
Uncovered webcams can leave people vulnerable to cyberattackers who may record video without a subject’s knowledge and later try to extort large sums of money from that person in order to keep the video private. And the criminals may not stop there. They could hack into a device’s microphone and eavesdrop on personal or business conversations, which could potentially be more harmful than video if business strategies were discussed.
As calendars fill up again with business travel to trade shows and client meetings, the need for security may increase when travelers are using public WiFi in airports, hotels and more. Also, they will find themselves in these same public spaces that offer on-site charging capabilities, which can lead to “juice jacking.” This is the process where cybercriminals can infect a charging station with malware that could attack a device and export its data or track keystrokes in order to steal passwords, credit card data and other sensitive information. Last year, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office even warned residents about this dangerous trend.
This may all seem scary, but it doesn’t have to be. There are tech accessories that eliminate the security risks. While the 2020 holiday season may be unlike any before it, these tech accessories can make for a thoughtful gift for employees or clients with the added bonus of keeping them safe. Due to the shift to a predominantly virtual existence, these items are in high demand. Even if people aren’t asking for the products by name, becoming educated on the risks of being hacked can open the eyes of those who are buying corporate gifts this year.
Many workers shifted their workspaces from the office to the comfort of their couches or home offices, resulting in the use of home internet that may be less secure than a company offers at its headquarters. To prevent unwanted intrusions, webcam covers and mic blockers can ensure security. Meanwhile, a USB data blocker restricts data transfers, eliminating the threat while still allowing the charger to boost the battery. The products can serve as another layer of security in addition to antivirus software, firewalls, router firmware and other security measures already used on devices.
“Experts in cybersecurity have been warning of the risks for some time now,” Lori Metz, CEO at C-Slide, Lehi, Utah, said. “Webcams, microphones and charging stations can be vulnerable to hackers, who are looking to invade our privacy and steal personal or corporate information.”
C-Slide packaged some of its best tech accessories together to create the Work From Home Privacy Pack—a great gift choice this year. Whether gift recipients are working remotely from home, in the office or on the road, this gift can travel with them to keep them safe well past the holiday season. The gift pack includes three tech items—the Razor Webcam Cover, 3.5 Mic Block and USB Data Blocker—and can be presented in a variety of a completely customizable packaging options, such as 4×6”, 5×7”, 6×11” and 8×11” flat cards; 4×6” bifold cards; 4×6” trifold cards; 4×6” tear-off business cards; and PDQ table top displays.
The Razor Webcam Cover adheres with 3M adhesive to laptops, computers, tablets and phones. Its super thin depth allows laptops to close normally, but its sliding mechanism provides quick and easy access to the camera as needed.
The 3.5 Mic Block is compatible with tablets and laptops with a 3.5 mic and 3.5 stereo mic jack combo. Upon insertion, it disables microphone input, eliminating the ability for cybercriminals to spy on private conversations.
The USB Data Blocker protects unauthorized access or data transfer while charging phones and tablets, so devices can replenish the battery without potentially devastating security threats to personal data and accounts.
Each product is available in black, white or any Pantone color.
“We developed the Work From Home Privacy Pack as a way for brands to give the gift of privacy for the 2020 holiday season,” Metz said. “With a large number of brands shifting their workforce to employees’ homes and client meetings to virtual settings, a gift that shows they care is a great sentiment to share as we close out 2020.”
Tech companies understand the risks as well of the importance of using C-Slide privacy products. Firefox and Google Cloud have given out C-Slide webcam covers at past events whereas Lockheed Martin, defense and aerospace company, provided webcam covers for all employees using corporate laptops, along with education on how to ensure all company systems and data remain secure. As for data blockers, Red Hat, a provider of enterprise open source solutions for companies like Ford Motor Company, Microsoft and UPS, previously gave all its traveling employees the product.
But their appeal goes beyond the technology sector, with clients in the education, government, health care and law enforcement vertical markets.
Best of all, C-Slide can mail the gift pack in a padded envelope, addressed to each recipient, allowing end-buyers to congratulate their work from home employees for making the best of 2020, to show appreciation to clients who they haven’t been able to see in person this year or to thank customers who stuck by the company during this rocky year. This method has become particularly popular this year since traditional in-person gift giving has been difficult to achieve.
“The option to ship a product to individual recipients has been a new bonus that allows end-buyers to reach employees and clients no matter how much distance separates them,” Metz said. “Sending a corporate gift of privacy also serves as a great reminder of the cyber security the brand gifted each time the recipient uses one of our tech accessories.”
