by onlinefinancialnewsletters | Sep 22, 2015 | Personal Protection
Can’t live without your cell phone? You’re not alone. According to Pew Research Center, 90 percent of adults in the U.S. own one. Forty-four percent admit to sleeping with it to avoid missing calls and text messages. But as addicted to our devices as we might be, many of us are not taking adequate security measures to protect ourselves while using one.
With the speed of access that a smart phone gives us, come a bevy of security risks. Consider: Fifty-eight percent of adult cell phone owners have smartphones and use them to access the Internet, send and receive emails, download apps, get directions, listen to music, engage with social media and more. Some of these activities expose them to criminals with nefarious intentions such as the theft of personal or financial information. In fact, a recent report from Norton, an antivirus and security software company, found that one in three smartphone users had already experienced some form of cybercrime. That number is only expected to rise.
Keeping your mobile phone secure—and protecting the valuable information within it—actually isn’t difficult. Experts suggest the following to maintain safety while still making the most of your smartphone productivity.
Add a password. If you haven’t password protected your smartphone, you’re basically giftwrapping easy access to your personal information for anyone who picks it up. According to Norton, 25 percent of smartphone users have had their phone lost or stolen. The minimal time it takes to enter a password each time you want to use the device is well worth the added protection.
Install a protective app. According to Symantec, thirty-six percent of malicious mobile activity was designed to steal data in 2014, compared with 17 percent in 2013. If malware infects your smartphone, it can steal your financial information—especially if you regularly use your device to make purchases or bank online. You can find free smartphone security apps from companies such as Norton in the Google Play and Apple App stores.
Turn off automatic connections. Some smartphones have settings that allow for automatic connection to available Wi-Fi networks. Disable this option and you’ll prevent your device from connecting and transmitting data without your knowledge. Fraudulent Wi-Fi networks are increasingly prevalent. Criminals typically set up a free network with a name similar to an establishment such as a coffee shop. Then they wait for patrons to connect to the network so they can collect their information.
Be a smart shopper. Shopping on your phone is certainly convenient. However, experts urge consumers to use caution when making online purchases away from home. Never enter private information, like bank account or credit card numbers, unless you’re certain the network and website is secure. Set your home Wi-Fi network up with a password and only make purchases from websites with urls that start with “https” rather than “http.”
Remember, a smartphone is basically a computer. There’s no reason not to protect it just as you protect your home PC. And if you’d like to explore how identity theft insurance can protect you from losses in the event of a cybercrime, contact your insurance professional.
by onlinefinancialnewsletters | Sep 8, 2015 | Personal Protection
Why do you have homeowners insurance? If you’re like many American homeowners, it’s not because you believe anything bad will ever happen to your property but because your mortgage lender or landlord says you must. You signed up for the policy and never gave it another thought. This is extremely dangerous.
Disasters can strike at any time. According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments respond to more than 360,000 home structure fires each year. Flood insurance claims average nearly $4 billion per year according to the National Flood Insurance Program. And Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics show there are more than 5,400 burglaries per day, 74 percent of which occur on residential properties.
Why You Need a Home Inventory
In the event of a theft, fire, flood or other natural disaster, your homeowners insurance may be all that stands between you and financial ruin. Protect your investments — don’t over look the home inventory. This detailed record of everything you own will come in handy should you ever need to file a claim, apply for disaster relief or document losses for tax purposes. Unfortunately, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, 59 percent of U.S. consumers do not have one.
Creating your home inventory will take time, but the difference it can make in the event of a disaster is worth it. The actual process isn’t that difficult, especially if you follow these tips.
- Decide on an approach. You can conduct your home inventory room by room, by category of item, from newest to oldest purchase, or from most to least expensive belongings.
- Create your list. Spreadsheets are particularly effective for this purpose. You can customize columns as you wish, but make sure you include all information an insurance adjuster will need. This includes a description of each item, when you purchased it, the purchase price, and the brand and model or serial number. You can also use Know Your Stuff, free software available both online and as an app, from the Insurance Information Institute.
- Augment your documentation. If you have receipts or canceled checks to prove what you paid for your belongings, keep them. You can scan them if you’d prefer to store these items digitally. Photographs of important items may also prove helpful down the line. You can even make a video tour of your home, showing all of your belongings, to accompany your inventory list.
- Make sure you include everything of value. This includes items you use less regularly such as tools, sporting goods, holiday decorations and formalwear. Go through every closet, drawer and box in your home as well as your attic, basement and garage.
- Store your inventory in a safe place. Keep copies of the list and other documentation outside your home. Locations you may want to consider include a friend or relative’s house, your office or a safe deposit box. For even better protection, store copies in two locations.
- Update your list regularly. At minimum, update your home inventory annually. However, some homeowners find it easier to update their list as they make new purchases and the information and supporting documentation needed is readily available.
Once you’ve created your home inventory, review your insurance policy with your insurance agent to ensure you have adequate coverage. You should understand whether your belongings are insured for cash value (replacement or repair costs minus deprecation) or for replacement cost (replacement or repair without an adjustment for depreciation). Rare or valuable items may benefit from additional insurance riders.
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