Computing encompasses all techniques for automated information processing, from physical hardware (processor, memory, storage) to the software layers that enable the use of these components. This definition has remained stable for decades, but the risks associated with the daily use of a computer or network are changing rapidly. Understanding these developments allows for more robust technical choices, whether one is just starting out or already managing a fleet of machines.
Data Exfiltration: A Threat That Goes Beyond Ransomware
Blocking a hard drive for ransom is no longer the dominant mode of operation. The Cyber Threat Panorama 2025, published on March 11, 2026, by ANSSI, reports 196 data exfiltration incidents in 2025, compared to 130 in 2024. During the same period, 128 ransomware compromises were recorded. The discreet theft of files has thus overtaken destructive encryption in the volume of reported cases.
This change alters defense priorities. Backups alone are no longer sufficient to protect a system, as they restore files after a blockage but do not recover a leak that has already been disseminated. Restricting access rights, segmenting the network, and monitoring outgoing traffic are becoming practices to implement, even on a personal workstation.
To delve deeper into these topics and find regularly updated guides, computer information on Labo Linux covers a wide range of themes related to security and system administration.
Exposed Network Equipment: Firewalls and Gateways as Entry Points
A poorly configured firewall exposes as much as it protects. ANSSI reports that attackers primarily target equipment located at the network edge, known as “edge devices”: firewalls, anti-spam gateways, routers whose administration interface remains accessible from the Internet. Exploiting known vulnerabilities on these devices does not require exceptional skills.
Three actions significantly reduce this risk:
- Apply every firmware update as soon as it is released, particularly security patches marked as critical by the manufacturer.
- Disable any administration interface accessible from outside the local network, or restrict it to a specific IP address via a filter.
- Replace equipment that is at the end of its manufacturer support, which no longer receives patches and remains vulnerable indefinitely.
A consumer router whose default password has never been changed represents exactly the target that automated scanners can detect in a matter of minutes. These measures are just as applicable to a home network as they are to a small business.
European AI Act: Gradual Obligations for High-Risk Software
The European regulation on artificial intelligence (AI Act) organizes a phased implementation schedule. AI systems deemed to present an unacceptable risk are subject to a ban, while lower-risk categories follow later deadlines.
High-risk AI systems as classified in Annex III of the regulation are subject to specific obligations. Automated recruitment, credit scoring, biometric identification: these uses impose requirements for transparency, technical documentation, and risk management on providers.
What This Means for a User or SME
Even without developing an AI model, any company that uses software integrating artificial intelligence in a high-risk area must ensure that its provider complies with the regulatory framework. The end user can be classified as a “deploying entity” under the regulation, which entails its own obligations for monitoring and reporting.
Cataloging the software tools in place and identifying those that include AI components is a concrete first step.
Cybersecurity in Daily Life: The Important Reflexes
Phishing emails remain the primary attack vector against individuals and small organizations. Their sophistication has increased in recent years, particularly due to text generation tools that make visual detection more difficult.
Some concrete practices significantly reduce exposure:
- Enable two-factor authentication on every service that offers it, favoring a code-generating app over SMS.
- Use a password manager to never reuse the same identifier across multiple sites.
- Check the sender’s address and the domain of links before clicking, even when the message appears to come from a known contact.
- Keep the operating system and browser up to date, as the majority of patches released each month address actively exploited vulnerabilities.
No advanced technical skills are required. These reflexes rely on regular discipline rather than material investment.
Storage and Backup: Two Distinct Concepts
Storage refers to the space where active files reside: hard drive, SSD, or cloud. Backup refers to a separate copy, hosted on a different medium or service, intended to restore data in case of loss. Confusing the two exposes one to losing everything during a failure or attack.
A common rule in cybersecurity guides recommends keeping at least three copies of data, on two different types of media, one of which should be off-site. This approach remains relevant against both exfiltration and ransomware.
The obligations related to the AI Act add a regulatory layer for companies using software that incorporates artificial intelligence. Keeping equipment up to date, structuring backups, and understanding the nature of current threats remain the three pillars of reliable use of a computer system, regardless of its size.
