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The Source Computer Wins Cisco’s Extreme Makeover Contest

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Cisco, worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate has announced that The Source Computer Limited, a Lagos based IT firm specialising in sales, repairs, maintenance and support of DELL computer systems has won the Nigerian Cisco Extreme Makeover Contest.

The contest, launched in January 2008, was targeted at the small and medium business segment of the Nigerian economy. Representatives from Cisco Nigeria marked this win with a courtesy visit to the offices of the winner to congratulate them. Cisco’s experts will analyse the winning company’s needs and instigate a renewal of its technological platform with Cisco integrated solutions including a brand new fully integrated Cisco network with Voice, Video, Wireless Communication and Desktop Applications.

The Cisco Extreme Business Makeover competition was open to all businesses in Nigeria, employing between 8 and 250 people, which had been trading for 3 or more years. To take part and qualify for this contest, participating businesses had to answer the questions that appeared on the Extreme Makeover website at www.nigeria.ciscomakeover.com on or before 16th of March, 2008. A panel of judges comprising ICT and SMB industry experts adjudicated the entrants to determine the winner.

According to Owen Nwelih, Cisco’s marketing manager for English speaking West Africa, "The opportunity to enjoy world class communications, a robust network that will increase competitiveness, enhance productivity and serve customers better was highly irresistible to small and medium businesses throughout Nigeria. The response we received in terms of entries – over a thousand companies registered for entry into the contest- far exceeded our expectations and this revealed to us the extent of passion and readiness Nigerians have for IT and improved service delivery with IT as a leveraging partner". Eligible entries were evaluated in a 3-stage process after which a shortlist of 15 contestants emerged. The 15 finalists were notified by email and were further evaluated via another set of technical and business related questions. This last phase of evaluation produced the winner.

Speaking on behalf of the judges, Ego Boyo, Managing Director, Temple Productions said, "This was not an easy contest to judge especially at the final round, but The Source Computers Limited demonstrated excellent business ethics, creativity and ability to do business in Nigeria and also a willingness to develop critical aspects of their business. We are delighted with our choice."

"I was not even aware of the contest or that the firm had been entered", said Victor Onyejiuwa, Chief Executive Officer of the winning firm. "It was one of my employees who informed me of a notification he had received via e-mail on winning the Cisco Extreme Business Makeover contest he entered on behalf of the firm with a grand prize of $40,000 worth of Cisco equipment and solutions". He added that "I was exhilarated and at the same time skeptical because it sounded too good to be true. However, today I have had Cisco executives come over and their strategic partners Signal Alliance have surveyed my business equipment and IT infrastructure – my skepticism has now been replaced with anticipation!"

The Extreme Business Makeover Contest was initiated to help enhance awareness by the small and medium business segment of the availability of cutting edge ICT tools and equipment with which they can enhance business productivity. According to Vincent Entonu, Territory Market Manager for English Speaking West Africa, "Cisco understands the unique issues facing small and medium business and provides the solutions that can help you keep pace with today’s competitors. We recognize that they need a simple yet sophisticated solution to enhance the way employees communicate with customers, partners, and one another to help in staying ahead when facing fierce competition from both large from international corporations and small, technology-enabled companies".

After a thorough survey by Cisco’s strategic partner Signal Alliance who would be working closely with Cisco on the deployment of the winning firm’s solution, The Source Computers has won $40,000 worth of Cisco Solutions including security and VPN solutions as well as Cisco’s recently launched SMB solution, Smart Business Communications System which will be deployed over the next few weeks.


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Study Reveals 88.5% of Phishing Attacks Focus on Stealing Account Credentials

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Kaspersky analysed phishing and scam campaigns observed from January through September 2025 and found that 88.5% of attacks globally sought credentials for various online accounts.

Another 9.5% targeted personal data such as names, addresses, and dates of birth, while 2% focused on bank card details.

According to data from Kaspersky, over 38 million phishing links were clicked in Africa in the previous year (from November 2024 to October 2025) – all of which were detected and blocked by Kaspersky solutions.

Not everyone uses protective solutions on their devices however, and phishing remains one of the most prevalent cyber threats, with attackers luring users to fake websites where they unwittingly surrender their login credentials, personal information, or bank card details.

Kaspersky research shows that most phishing pages transmit stolen information via email, Telegram bots, or attacker-controlled panels, before it enters underground resale channels.

Data stolen through phishing is rarely used only once: credentials from multiple campaigns are consolidated into data dumps and sold on dark web markets, in some cases for as little as $50. Buyers sort and verify the data to check whether accounts remain active and reusable across different services.

According to Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence, average 2025 prices ranged from $0.90 for global Internet portals to $105 for crypto platforms and $350 for online banking access. Personal documents such as passports or ID cards sold for about $15 on average, with pricing influenced by account age, balance, linked payment methods, and security settings.

As datasets are enriched and combined, attackers can build detailed digital profiles that may later support targeted attacks on executives, finance staff, IT-administrators or individuals with valuable assets or personal documents.

“Our analysis shows that credentials account for nearly 90% of phishing attempts. Once collected, logins, passwords, phone numbers, and personal details are aggregated, checked, and resold, sometimes years after the initial theft.

Combined with new information, even old credentials can enable account takeovers and targeted attacks against both individuals and organisations.

By leveraging open-source intelligence and old breach data, attackers can craft highly personalised scams, turning one-time victims into long-term targets for identity theft, blackmail, or financial fraud,” said Olga Altukhova, senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.


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Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

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The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.

Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity

Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.

When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.

The growing demand for proactive security

One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.

Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.

With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.

Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies

The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.

“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.

Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.

When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.

This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.

As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.

 


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Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga

The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.

To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.

Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.

Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”

He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.

As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.

Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.


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