2016 is off to a rough start in the world of internet security. Just seven days into the new year, and Time Warner has reported that a small subset of its customer data was hacked. Unfortunately, since Time Warner has a massive customer list, their “small” breach is at least 320,000 accounts in size.

This year for Christmas, many children around the country, and indeed, the world, got a shiny new smartphone under the tree. It’s not hard to see why; they have become, in a relatively short span of time, one of the most popular, ubiquitous devices on earth.

You’ve probably never even heard of the “Real ID Act of 2005.” Most people haven’t. It was one of a number of pieces of legislation that passed without grabbing any headlines or attention, but it’s about to have very real implications for you as a small businessman or woman.

Odds are good that you have a wireless router, either in your office, or at home. If you do, then you’ve probably noticed that some days, your connection just isn’t so great. The reason? More likely than not, it’s interference.

Because all wireless routers use the same set of frequencies, if you live in a heavily populated area, it could be the case that your router’s signal is being “squeezed out” and interfered with by the networks of the people around you.

“Don’t go anywhere near Bob’s office today, he’s on a rampage.”

You’ve no doubt heard that, or something very like it. The phrase comes up most often when someone is having a tough time keeping their personal life separate from business.

Microsoft has put a lot of muscle behind its Surface Pro product. Designed to be the iPad killer, it’s both a tablet and a fully functional laptop, capable of running more than just Apps, which tend to be scaled down versions of more feature-rich programs.

Comcast might be best known for its cable service, but they also sell home security systems. Many businesses use Xfinity, or a comparably engineered security system. That’s why recent developments are so troubling. Security vendor Rapid7 recently tried to contact Comcast about a potential flaw in the security systems they sell.

If you’ve been keeping tabs on the comings and doings at the Microsoft Store, you may have noticed the appearance of a mysterious new app called “The Cellular Data App.” According to the description, this app will require the use of a Microsoft SIM card, and that no contract will be required.

File this one away under “unlikely but true.” The story reads like something from a pulp science fiction novel. US Marshals descended on a booth at CES (the Consumer Electronics Show), which is the nation’s largest electronics conference, and shut down the booth, confiscating a number of one-wheeled scooters.

Customers come in all shapes and sizes, but broadly speaking, they tend to fall into five major categories. Recognizing them will go a long way toward helping you deal with each type as you encounter them.

Just Regular Folks

The vast majority of your customers will fall into this category.