Top 10 tricks to protect yourself from cyber crime

Click here for full image

October is normally associated with Halloween and ghosts and goblins, but for the last 10 years it’s been National Cyber Security Awareness month.

As evidenced by the rising number of successful attacks against high-profile targets, cyber crime is on the rise.

With that in mind, here are OpenDNS’ top 10 cyber security tips and tricks to protect yourself.

1. Realize that you are an attractive target to hackers. Don’t ever say “it won’t happen to me.”
2. Practice good password management. Use a strong mix of characters, and don’t use the same password for multiple sites. Don’t share your password with others, don’t write it down, and definitely don’t write it on a sticky note attached to your monitor.
3. Never leave your devices unattended. Take your tablet or phone with you. If you need to leave your computer for any length of time  ̶  no matter how short  ̶  lock it up so no one can use it while you’re gone. If you keep sensitive information on a flash drive or external hard drive, make sure to lock it up as well.
4. Always be careful when clicking on attachments or links in email. If it’s unexpected or suspicious for any reason, don’t click on it. Double check the URL of the website the link takes you to: bad actors will often take advantage of spelling mistakes to direct you to a harmful domain. Think you can spot a phony website? Try the OpenDNS phishing quiz.
5. Sensitive browsing, such as banking or shopping, should be done only on a device that belongs to you, on a network that you trust. Whether it’s a friend’s phone, a public computer or a cafe’s free WiFi  ̶  your data could be copied or stolen.
6. Back up your data regularly, and make sure your anti-virus software is always up to date.
7. Be conscientious of what you plug in to your computer. Malware can be spread through infected flash drives, external hard drives and even smartphones.
8. Watch what you’re sharing on social networks. Criminals can befriend you and easily gain access to a shocking amount of information ̶ where you go to school, where you work, when you’re on vacation  ̶  that could help them gain access to more valuable data.
9. Offline, be wary of social engineering, where someone attempts to gain information from you through manipulation. If someone calls or emails you asking for sensitive information, it’s OK to say no. You can always call the company directly to verify credentials before giving out any information.
10. Be sure to monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity. If you see something unfamiliar, it could be a sign that you’ve been compromised

Cyber security attacks can be scary, but the more safeguards the better. Make cyber security a habit, not just in October. For more information on how to practice cyber security during National Cyber Security Awareness Month and throughout the year, visit Stop.Think.Connect.

Cyber insurance coverage is available to protect you or your business from the financial consequences of cyber crime; contact your local independent insurance agent for information appropriate for your state and situation.

By Helen Kyrios for The Cincinnati Insurance Companies

30 Health Choices All Women Should Make By Age 30

Photo Credit: http://www.womenshealthmag.com

How many of these can you check off this list so far? http://bit.ly/1xR56OQ

Make healthy behaviors a habit while you're still young, and you're more likely to hold onto them throughout your life. 

To that end, here are 30 health choices every woman needs to make by time she reaches the big 3-0. (And if you've already blown out 30 candles but haven't made some of these choices yet, there's still time—better late than never.) Hint: pay special attention to #8.

Preventative care is the best care. Making your health a priority -- getting an annual checkup and well-woman exam, eating healthfully, exercising, drinking plenty of water,

and getting enough sleep go a long way toward keeping you happy and healthy - saving you exponential amounts of time and money over your lifetime. 

Your health insurance plan may even offer discounts for healthy habits. Check with your insurance broker to find out if your plan does so.

When Do You Need Travel Insurance?

Get ‪travel‬ insurance if you're one of these 4 types of traveler:

Business: About 75% of business travelers encounter mishap, costing an average of $1,475, 55% of which falls on the company and 45% of which falls to the individual.  

Health: Some medical insurance plans cover you abroad, others (including Medicare) do not.

Students Studying Abroad: When spending a long period of time in another country, it's worth the peace of mind of having medical treatment, emergency evacuations, lost baggage, trip cancellations, and more. 

You Can't Afford Not To Have It: Consider three things when deciding whether to buy travel insurance: the amount of risk you’re willing to take, the amount of money you could lose, and the amount of money you are willing to accept losing.

Fit one of these travel profiles? Read more here: bit.ly/1BOdVt3.

Prepare your building to weather the cold

Temperature extremes from summer to winter place a heavy burden on the buildings we live in and the places we work. With little warning, gusting winds, heavy snow and bitter temperatures can create a weather event that could collapse your roof, freeze and rupture your piping and cause havoc in your life.

But prudent loss control strategies you implement before winter can protect your home or business and minimize the impact of weather-related property damage, business interruption and other losses.

Cold weather states are not the only places vulnerable to extreme winter weather losses. In reality, property owners in moderate climate states not normally associated with harsh winter weather tend to suffer the most costly losses because they are typically unprepared for extreme conditions. The winter of 2014 was one of the costliest since 1980, with $1.5 billion in insured losses filed between January 1 and February 21, 2014, alone, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

PREPARING BUILDINGS

Be prepared by keeping on top of routine building maintenance. Look for any evidence of previous damage to your building’s structure, paying special attention to damaged roof material or equipment that may need repair or replacement. Also take note of any areas that could be unstable during severe winter weather.

• Maintain roofs in good condition. Repair leaks, secure flashing and clear debris from the roof, roof drains, downspouts and overflow outlets.
• Check that gutters and downspouts are secured to buildings and clear of leaves and debris. Were they iced over during the previous winter? Consider installing heat trace (electric cable or tape) to prevent major icicles and ice dams.
• Assure that all building openings are weather-tight to prevent cold air that could cause water pipes or fire protection systems to freeze. If you recently built an addition or renovated, how were existing utilities – especially water and sprinkler piping – protected from frigid temperatures?
• Test any low-building-temperature alarms.

PREVENTING BUILDING COLLAPSE

Heavy snow, freezing rain or a series of constant rain showers and wind can cause precipitation to accumulate, leading to roof failure. Blocked roof drains and overflows can cause precipitation to accumulate and overload the roof. Many older buildings that were not required to provide secondary overflow drainage, such as scuppers, do not provide adequate drainage when primary drains are blocked.

Collapses can damage the building and its contents, destroy fire protection systems and unleash dangerous live utilities, including electricity and flammable gases. These losses can be made worse by water damage from rain intrusion or broken water piping.

Consult with a qualified contractor to assess your roof condition before you experience a problem.

By Troy Dohmeyer for The Cincinnati Insurance Companies