The Cyber Beacon

The Cyber Beacon: Is Smart Home Your Weakest Link? IoT, Remote Work, and Home Network Security

Posted on September 01, 2026

Our homes are becoming more connected every year. Smart televisions, cameras, doorbells, thermostats, appliances, streamin...

The Cyber Beacon: Protecting Kids Online: Reducing the Risks of Scams, Grooming, and Cybercrime

Posted on August 04, 2026

As the school season starts back up, families should expect cybercriminals to take advantage of the increased flow of scho...

The Cyber Beacon: Protecting Public Trust in a Digital Government Utilizing More Online Portals Than Ever

Posted on June 30, 2026

After a brief hiatus, it is great to be back writing the Cyber Beacon. Cybersecurity never stands still, and neither shoul...

The Cyber Beacon: Community Cyber Awareness

Posted on January 20, 2026

Editor's Note: Blogger Joe Earley will see a disruption in his blog in the months ahead. Earley is running for the Wes...

The Cyber Beacon Protecting Children from Internet Predators by Utilizing Cybersecurity Awareness

Posted on January 06, 2026

Cybercrime is no longer limited to stolen credit cards or hacked email accounts. One of the most dangerous and emotionally...

The Cyber Beacon: Christmas Spam - Not a Side Dish but a Guaranteed Shortcut to an Empty Checkbook

Posted on December 09, 2025

A Short Story: “The Holiday Deal That Wasn’t” Maria loved Christmas. Every year she searched online...

The Cyber Beacon: If You are Wondering, Your Email Security Isn’t a Technical Issue — It’s a Human One

Posted on November 14, 2025

Think your inbox is just a mailbox? Think again — it’s the front door to your digital life, and most of us lea...

The Cyber Beacon: Good Time to Keep Digital House Clean as October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Posted on October 21, 2025

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the perfect reminder that staying secure begins at home—and extends to...

The Cyber Beacon: Friendly Wi-Fi Turning Unfriendly: "Don’t Let Your Network Be Used Against You”

Posted on October 07, 2025

We’ve all done it — loaned a Wi-Fi password to a neighbor or left our network open “just in case.”...

The Cyber Beacon: Cybersecurity Responsibilities of Your County as Well as Your Municipal Governments

Posted on March 05, 2025

Protecting Public Services & Taxpayer Trust: Cybersecurity Responsibilities of County & Municipal Governments....

The Cyber Beacon: Gone Phishing - Taking the Bait?

Posted on February 19, 2025

Gone Phishing: Are You Taking the Bait? Imagine this: You’re sipping your morning coffee, scrolling throu...

The Cyber Beacon: Cyberattack on Harrison County Board of Education is a Lesson in Cyber Resilience

Posted on February 05, 2025

Editor's Note: This is a new blogy by Joseph Earley, a Montgomery, West Virginia, native, who served 20 years in the U...

Blogs [ view all ]

From the Bench: Biggest Regular Season M...

The regular season matchup many have asked to see take place for years is at hand. And it, arguably, could rank among...

Posted by Jeff Toquinto
Time Travel: Revisiting the Bridgeport F...

There is plenty to take in from this photo believed to be from a period in the 1960s. It shows a parade for the Bridg...

Posted by Dick Duez
It's Happening: Local Kids Turn Lemonade...

A couple of weeks ago, Bridgeport streets were peppered with lemonade stands. The pop-up refreshment stands – all mann...

Posted by Julie Perine
Off the Shelf – Back to School

Happy first week of school! The library is here to support both our students and teachers during th...

Posted by Angela Spatafore
The Grapevine: Sharing Old Picture of Or...

Last week Victor Folio approached me at church and advised me that he had come across this picture when going through some...

Posted by Rosalyn Queen
ToquiNotes: New Christmas Tree, Utility ...

Light Up Night 2025 was, as has been the case every year, a huge success in kicking off the Christmas season. Due to w...

Posted by Jeff Toquinto
Tending Community: Meet Our Board Presid...

If you have ever visited BFM2, chances are you have seen Emily Howe. She and her husband, Steve, set up their booth direct...

Posted by Perris Reed
The Cyber Beacon: Is Smart Home Your Wea...

Our homes are becoming more connected every year. Smart televisions, cameras, doorbells, thermostats, appliances, streamin...

Posted by Joe Earley