Tony Anscombe

Tony Anscombe

Chief Security Evangelist


Education: Cobol and Fortran programming, it was a long time ago.

Highlights of your career: Appearing on the BBC News, the live appearance was regarding an article about a hacker that was 12 years old and stealing game data. The cool part was that it remained the number one article on the BBC News app for four days, it seemed that just about everyone I know saw it! The only thing that could top this is to be on Good Morning America or on the BBC Breakfast sofa.

What malware do you hate the most: Potentially unwanted applications, deceiving consumers and destroying their computer is wrong.

Favorite activities: Motorbikes, cycling, concerts and family (not in that order).

What is your golden rule for cyberspace: Don’t get sucked in and addicted to the world of social media, and never post pictures of food.

When did you get your first computer, favorite computer game/activity: My first computer was a Sinclair ZX81 Spectrum, back around 1983/4. It was my first introduction to programming and inspired me to go to college and learn how to code. As for a favorite game, my son and I play two games frequently, Driver (Xbox) and Fifa (PS4), it is a very competitive pastime and not good for my blood pressure.


118 articles by Tony Anscombe

Keyless convenience or security risk? Car theft in action

Keyless convenience or security risk? Car theft in action

Keyless convenience or security risk? Car theft in action

Exactly how does the attack work and is it expensive to create? The attack, while seeming to be technology voodoo, is actually rather simple. It requires a transmitting relay near the key and a second relay near the car to receive the relayed signals and mimic the key.

Tony Anscombe • 29 Nov 2017 • 4 min. read


Is your business ready for the Holiday Season?

Is your business ready for the Holiday Season?

Is your business ready for the Holiday Season?

Unfortunately, as with every opportunity, there are people who want to benefit from your success without putting in the hard work. Cybercriminals will view the increase in traffic and spending as opportunities to make extra money.

Tony Anscombe • 20 Nov 2017 • 2 min. read


The Cybersecurity Skills Gap: Educating the next generation

The Cybersecurity Skills Gap: Educating the next generation

The Cybersecurity Skills Gap: Educating the next generation

A long-term strategy focused on training and educating the next generation will help to ensure enough people have the right skills for the future.

Tony Anscombe • 27 Oct 2017 • 3 min. read


State sponsored cryptocurrency: Could it ever be a reality?

State sponsored cryptocurrency: Could it ever be a reality?

State sponsored cryptocurrency: Could it ever be a reality?

Cryptocurrencies work on a decentralized methodology, there is no server or centralized place that holds account details and transactions.

Tony Anscombe • 12 Sep 2017 • 4 min. read


Fines of £17m for unprotected UK firms

Fines of £17m for unprotected UK firms

Fines of £17m for unprotected UK firms

The UK Government’s Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced that firms could face fines of up to £17m or 4% of global turnover if they fail to protect themselves from cyberattacks.

Tony Anscombe • 14 Aug 2017 • 2 min. read


What’s the cost of a free lunch?

What’s the cost of a free lunch?

What’s the cost of a free lunch?

We all know that there is no such thing as a free lunch, or security product, so what’s the catch?

Tony Anscombe • 03 Aug 2017 • 7 min. read


A generation of connected kids

A generation of connected kids

A generation of connected kids

Speaking as a parent and security expert, Tony Anscombe looks at the challenges, advantages and opportunities that connected kids are exposed to.

Tony Anscombe • 01 Jun 2017 • 7 min. read


WannaCryptor: Are governments and financial regulators to blame?

WannaCryptor: Are governments and financial regulators to blame?

WannaCryptor: Are governments and financial regulators to blame?

Are governments and financial regulators to blame for WannaCryptor, aka WannaCry, asks Tony Anscombe in this insightful feature.

Tony Anscombe • 18 May 2017 • 4 min. read


Anti-trust, EU complaints and the anti-malware industry

Anti-trust, EU complaints and the anti-malware industry

Anti-trust, EU complaints and the anti-malware industry

ESET's Tony Anscombe takes a closer look at the anti-malware industry.

Tony Anscombe • 11 May 2017 • 3 min. read