Wherever you look these days, there is always a computer threat. And this week, we report on a very serious one. While hackers have been attacking big companies for the biggest rewards, they are now turning their attention to smaller firms which may not have tough firewalls or the best security to prevent an attack.

It stands to reason that bigger companies have more money to spend on security and that smaller ones may skimp out of necessity. But evidence is showing that hackers will find the most vulnerable systems and attack. That means that even the smallest entities have to work harder to protect their systems. It may mean spending money on security instead of training or new equipment. It may mean partnering with other companies to achieve a common protective shield. It may also call for more intense bargaining with security vendors.

A hacker could get lucky and crash your computer or steal your files. So think hard about where you want to spend your money, and don't be cheap by skipping the best protections for your computer system. - Judi