How many of you expected a laptop recovery team to do more than just repair your precious computer, which contains a lifetime of information? (And we don’t mean they’ve gone above and beyond your expectations to revitalize your computer.)

We’re talking about some illegal activity behind the scenes of the computer shop.

These aren’t your average hackers. Hackers typically sit in a far-off room attempting to bypass security systems, and access computers, credit cards, etc. In rare cases like these, you physically hand your computer over to the likes of such thieves.

Just your average computer recovery... or is it?

This video from SKY News documents a handful of repairmen in several different computer shops compromising sensitive files on computers their customers have so willingly given them.

According to the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), nearly 98% of attacks go undetected. If these numbers don’t strike you, consider the business sphere: the average corporate network is attacked by hackers 12 to 15 times yearly, as stated by the Computer Security Institute.

Keeping in mind these figures, we aren’t advising you never to leave your laptop in the hands of laptop recovery shops. But we do underline that you do whatever it takes to protect your files, and in turn, yourself.

One measure to secure your files in any situation is to enforce password-protection.

How to Protect Your Computer

• Give your laptop to people you trust. Either people in your personal circle, like friends or family, or a trusted computer store, such as Apple or Microsoft, any corporation with public credentials. It would be advisable to seek help from the company you bought your computer from, even if that means repairs may be a bit pricy. Just think about it in the long run, you get what you pay for.
• Password-protect your files. As you saw in the video, most of the customers had little to no security measures for their private documents, making it easier for the hackers at the shop to access each file. For those unsure of how to accomplish this, here’s a video on how to protect your data with a password.
• Store your information online. One evident fact in the video was that many customers kept files containing log-in information. Although it is nice to have a place to recover your password incase you’ve forgotten it, keeping this type of data out in the open on your hard-drive is not the best place, as the video suggests. Instead, transfer vital information from your computer to “the cloud,” so you can access your data from anywhere and without the same risks.

We can’t guarantee that all computer recovery institutions are intent on seizing your information for their own benefit, but we can guarantee that by following these steps, you fortify your security measures, thus keeping you and your files protected.

We couldn’t just stop at one post on how to prevent car theft.

We realized that instructing you on how to protect your personal items isn’t enough – this time around, it’s your identity we’re stressing you protect.

Avoid leaving any valuables in your car.. and that includes your trunk.

Frankly, it makes sense. Lose your personal items, and you lose the very parcels of information that trace back to you. Which then means your very identity is at stake.

And judging by statistics found in a post from Marlborough News Online, the fact that motor car theft has increased by 17 percent should be enough motivation to convince anyone to keep their valuables in hand (or at least, in purse).

So then, what should and can you do?

Here are tips you should make mental notes of:

Lock your car, secure your identity.

Lock your car. It seems like a basic gesture, but sometimes it’s such a small task that people forget. In other cases, people feel they and their belongings are safe from a robber’s reach. Wrong. Don’t leave it to chance. Make it a habit to lock your doors, shut your windows, and secure your trunk. Even if you don’t have valuables in your car, remember that thieves will be just as happy to drive off with car, if not your identity.

Your trunk is not a fortress. Sure, the trunk keeps items out of plain sight, but they’re not theft-proof. Play it safe and keep your important belongings with you when you leave your vehicle. Leave room in the trunk for small, replaceable items, and keep the indispensable stuff at your side.

Your belongings belong to YOU. Though it’s second nature to stash your credit card,
identification, money, receipts, and wallet  in places like your glove compartment after making quick purchases while you’re out. But they don’t belong there (at least, not permanently). Treat these items as ubiquitous resources. This could very well save you time, money, effort, and stress that comes with identity theft recovery – since you’ll be once step ahead of the race.

You’re not psychic. You don’t read palms. And you certainly don’t have a time-machine that allows you to be all-knowing.

But you are a capable individual who capitalizes on any resource that prepares you for the unexpected.

A look at a typical Watch for Tornadoes and Thunderstorms

The unexpected? Various storms that sweep through counties and its respective communities.

The resource? This simple and convenient storm predictor on NOAA’s National Weather Service website.

Get a daily dose of “Current Convective Watches,” as NOAA prefers to call them. Not sure exactly what a Watch is? After watching this clip, you’ll discover that a Watch:

…gives advance notice that conditions are favorable for dangerous weather.

This is different from a weather Warning, which is issued only when:

…severe weather is about to strike.

Example of the tornado watches you'll encounter

Once you arrive at the site, you’ll be greeted with a list of tornado or thunderstorm watches, as seen in the image above. They’ll be numbered, with information on when the watch was issued and last updated, as well as when it expires. You can also click on the latest status of each Watch.

In summation, a Watch your own personal distress signal, indicating what you should expect from the ever-so-fickle weather. They are more than just a daily forecast, in that they pinpoint areas that are likely to experience severe weather conditions — as opposed to the typical “sunny with a slight chance of rain” forecast.

This valuable Watch resource signifies two great things in this modern age:

1. Technology is a great thing. With new advancements everyday, such as this online storm predictor, you’re able to prepare provisions and protect every aspect of your life. If you know there’ll be a thunderstorm for a duration of one week, you can gather a week’s supply of food and water for your family. If there’s an emergency, that’s where we’ll come into play — quickly retrieve the contact number of the nearest natural disaster facility and call them with any immediate questions.
2. Disasters can’t be prevented, but they can be planned for. You can use these Watches to your advantage when traveling or planning for events. If you see that there’ll be a storm in a neighboring city, it’s probably best not to hold drive down there for a weekend getaway.

Of course, you can’t battle a storm head-on with just the knowledge of when a storm will likely occur. You’ll need to know how to prepare for it as well. Don’t worry, we’ve got a link for that. Check out Orange & Rockland’s post on “How to Prepare for Storms.”

What a truly wonderful world we’re in (despite all of nature’s surprises)… am I right?

Tornados, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires… What do all these have in common? 

They all penetrate each corner of society — be it the domestic, business, or medical dome — and produce consequences with which we all must be prepared.

Take time to look at the infographic below; you’d be surprised with the various statistics on the outcomes of specific natural disasters…

Most notably:

1. More than 150 people perished in the Joplin Mo tornado, and thousdands of homes and buildings were destroyed. St. John’s Medical Center was severely damaged, and X-rays and medical records were found as afar as 70 miles away.
• Takeaway? Tornados are disruptive, not just to the environment, but also to your life order… At any time, a tornado can blow your medical records far from your reach, much like the Joplin Mo tornado. Having a digital copy of your medical records eliminates an instance of unattainability.
2. 45 patients lost their lives at the Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. After the hurricane, thousands of patients lost their medical records, threatening the lives of many of them.
• Takeaway? Just like tornados, hurricanes are equally unpleasant. With what happened in New Orleans, you never know if your medical records will be safe and secure with your health provider. Be extra prepared and have a copy with you to avoid further jeopardizing your life.
3.  825 buildings in California are not rated to withstand an earthquake.
• Takeaway? Buildings are meant to keep danger and unfamiliarity away, but they don’t always protect you from natural disasters. In the case of California’s 825 unstable buildings, it would be wise to keep a duplicate of any of your important documents… at least this way, your sensitive documents you’ve saved online will withstand anything.
4.  Unlike other types of disasters, fires can damage or destroy a facility with almost no warning.
• Takeaway? Damage or destroy an entire facility? That’s a warning in itself. If your valuables aren’t blown away by a tornado or violent hurricane, or lost in the rubbles of an earthquake, there’s no telling if your paper documents will be able to defy the burns of a fire. Don’t play it safe, play it cool by keeping your data secure… after all, fires can’t reach your valuables if they’re stored away on the internet, can they?

These are just four facts we thought were important to know, but we strongly suggest you take a look at the rest in the infographic. You’ll learn so much about natural disasters, as well as the repercussions of each type of disaster — being alert and informed can help you decide how you want to protect your home, business, and health.

We're all just names and numbers to credit card thieves... Let's change that.

We may just be names and numbers to scam artists, but behind every credit card is a person that identity thieves would love to rip off.

These unwelcoming stastictics from Absolute Software offers shocking data that may make you think twice about how you protect your financial identity:

• 70% of breaches originated in Eastern Europe; 25% of breaches originated in North America
• Most data breaches were caused by external attacks (organized crime, activist groups, former employees, lone hackers, organizations sponsored by foreign governments)
• Hacktivism was a factor in more than half the data breaches
• Hacking and malware both were on the rise (81% and 69% vs 50% and 49% in 2010)
• Insider incidents declined to 4% of all attacks this year
• Third parties detected 92% of all breaches
• 95% of records lost included personal information (up from 1% in 2010)

And the USA Today article posted last week describing the data breach of about 1.5 million consumers’ credit card accounts should be a cautionary tale urging for stronger financial security.

Be mindful of your credit card history. This increases your financial security.

One extremely chilling statement in the article that should strike a cord is that card data can be stolen in a matter of seven to eight weeks, according to Rob D’Ovidio, a criminal justice professor at Drexel University. Within such a long time span, a credit card thief can channel large sums of money from your account. However, the quicker the fraud is detected and reported, the more money you’ll have in your account and the less confident credit card thieves will become. But that fate is decided by you.

Today’s the day for you to chart a security plan if you become a credit card victim. And it’s a fairly simple process.

All you need to do to reinforce credit card protection is:

1. Contact your credit card company and relay the fraud detection. Immediately. And since we understand how instrumental immediacy is once disaster strikes, we’ve made it simple for you to retrieve information, such as your credit card company contact information and your credit card data. You’ll instantly have access to their customer service number, your credit card number, and other vital contact information. This way, you won’t have to scramble around trying to communicate with your bank, especially since you’re stressed enough that someone is profiting from all your hard work.
2. Monitor your bills every month. You get into the habit of tracking any suspicious charges on your account. (An extra plus: you can regulate your spending habits, which means even more money in your account.)

It’s not enough that you keep a watchful eye and protect your wallet. Credit card theft has gone above and beyond the physical — now data can be stolen through breaches in the system. If you follow these steps, you’ll be back on track and you’ll be able to recover from any credit card frauds imposed on your account. You’ll stay ahead of credit card thieves — and what hard working individual wouldn’t want to protect their hard earned money?

A small glimpse at the major damage caused by the storm.

The Dallas region in Texas went head on against a violent storm on Tuesday earlier this week. According to this Fox News report, the tornado charged toward a nursing home unabashed, “barreling down through the back door [of the nursing home],” which then left “thousands without power and hundreds of homes pummeled or worse.”  And along with massive damage and more than a dozen injuries comes a wave of devastation.

Still can’t fathom the massiveness of the tornado, take a look at raw footage of the tornado touching ground. Pretty frightening, right?

Well, with April’s high reputation for horrible weather conditions, such disasters are expected, though they can’t be stopped. Fortunately for us, although the tornado can’t be avoided, we are capable of avoiding the chaos and stress of the aftermath – that’s the beauty (and curse) of nature. The  predictability of tornados allows us to plan accordingly incase another storm hits.

In cases like these, when tornadoes and storms deal serious damage, following the steps below once the storm hits is key to helping you manage the disorder of the catastrophe.

Devastation trembles as the reality of the tornado hits.

Take care of any and all injuries.

Get medical help as quickly as possible. If you’ve lost your health provider contact information due to the storm, you can easily retrieve your provider’s phone and address information with us for immediate assistance.

Protect your loved ones by being prepared.

Avoid further injury by follow general safety precautions.

Be mindful of your surroundings by avoiding large and unstable structures, furniture, or sharp objects. Avoid any electrical appliances, and gather your survival kit you made after reading our post on the 3 simple ways to weather a storm.

Inspect the damage and protect you and others from further hazards.

Inspect damages and communicate what’s happened.

Having important telephone numbers readily available will be of utmost important, as each second is crucial, and debris is flying everywhere. You have everything you need with us, so that you won’t have to wait while for a second to slip. Call your home insurance company, gas and electric company, friends and family, and any person or organization you’ll need to speak with.

How well do you know your credit card?

You may have read some of our past posts on credit cards, like the post we wrote on the difference between a credit or debit card, or the post on the 27 billion pound credit scam.

These things are all great to know, but we’re here today to offer you some information that bring you closer to your credit card… so close, that you know each transaction like the back of your hand. Better yet, you’ll know when you’re card is hacked.

The two most important ways you can become one with your credit card are:

1. Check and re-check your statements.

2. Know the major and minor details.

An example of an online statement from Wells Fargo.

With the advancement of technology and the rise of the Internet, it’s become easier to closely monitor your bank statements. Banks like Wells Fargo and Chase now offer paperless statements, whereby your statements are made available to you through online records of your transactions. Not only is this an easy way to view your purchases when you’re not home, this is also a smart way to protect your financial history because it lacks the vulnerability to loss or theft that its paper alternative possesses.

Additionally, knowing every minute and significant detail of your credit card can determine how efficiently and quickly you” be able to handle being victimized by identity theft, credit card scams, and similar misfortunes. LifeHacker said it best when the emphasizing the importance of knowing credit card policies and having a few conversations with your bank.

“There’s no harm in contacting your credit card issuer to see if they’re aware or doing anything about the issue…you can always ask more generally about how they handle data breaches and fraudulent transactions on a stolen card….”

When’s a good time to make that call, you ask?

“…now is a good time to call your issuer and make sure you’re up to speed on their policies around fraudulent transactions and identity theft.”

Right now.

Is this YOUR desk?

While surfing the vast world of the Internet, I stumbled upon a brief, but helpful article that I thought I’d share with you all.

Now as many of you have probably heard before, one extremely necessary part of life management is decluttering.

First, let’s take a look at what “clutter” is.

Clutter impedes on your life progress.

According to mindoverclutter.com, clutter can be broken down into the following categories:

• Things you do not use or love
• Things that are untidy or disorganized
• Too many things in too small a place
• Anything unfinished

Now, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of clutter.

The article in the Squalor Survivors website does a wonderful job at pointing out the good and bad of clutter.

Pro #1

• The bigger the pile, the more secure we feel. If ever we need to backtrack and dig up that receipt from a long time ago, it’ll be there.
  

  Avoid the piles of stress. Declutter!

Con #1

• Unfortunately, the bigger the pile, the harder it is to find what we need. So, although you do have that receipt saved, it’ll be nearly impossible to find it. What’s the point of saving something if it’s unattainable?

Pro #2

• Clutter gives us a sense of relief from our chaotic lives. By compiling our material possessions, “our plans are on hold,” as the article states.

 Con #2

• These temporary breaks from reality impede our progress and overall movement in life. Each time you add onto your piles of clutter, you move one step further from actually getting tasks done. Cleaning becomes harder. Thinking clearly becomes difficult. Your goals are lost in rubble.

Manage clutter, and your space will look brand new.

Lastly, here’s what you can do to declutter physical, and eventually mental, space.

Select. Excavate. Clear. Appropriate. Prevent.

• Select a location that contains clutter, no matter its extremity.
• Excavate the selected target area. Congratulate yourself for this step – it’s a toughie.
• Clear the space completely, until it’s sparkly clean and ready for a new beginning.
• Appropriate a new purpose for this brand new area – make it a functional environment.
• Prevent yourself from repeating history and cluttering up this location.

If you follow the SECAP steps each time you are confronted by clutter, you’ll dramatically improve the way you manage your life. No matter what type of clutter it is… the closer you are to decluttering your physical space, the closer you are to obliterating the overwhelming obstacles in your life.

Got Gmail? Secure your incoming and outgoing mail with these steps...

E-mail has become an integral part of work practices, as well as in our everyday lives. A study of e-mail habit and attitude in the US and UK by PR Newswire reveals just how incessant we are in checking our online mail.

According to the study, “two out of three Americans (72 percent) and Brits (68 percent) who check their email outside of regular business hours do so while on vacation, when they are taking time off, on a weekend and/or on another non-work day.”

So why is this an important fact to know?

The more you realize that e-mail has become an utmost necessity in managing your life, the more you’ll feel the need to secure it and upkeep certain security measures.

Keep an eye out for suspicious e-mails...

Google’s Gmail has a great security checklist that breaks down the security preparation process into 5 simple steps. (Have Yahoo? You can check out their Security Center page for similar security steps.)

1. Your computer. This step requires you to check for viruses and malware, check that your operating system is updated, and checks that your software is up to date.
2. Your browser. This step checks whether the current browser you’re using is up to date, and whether certain extensions or tools require access to your account so that your information isn’t compromised.
3. Your Google Account. Here, you can strengthen your password based on certain standards, update your account recovery options, enable verification features, and regulate websites that are authorized to access your data.
4. Your Gmail settings. In this step, you can select particular log in measures for a more secure connection when signing in, check for any suspicious activity on your account, or confirm your mail settings are up to par and that your mail is properly sent/received. You can also check you contact book for an updated list or to make corrections.
5. Final reminders. At this point, Google names last minute actions you should perform or signs to be mindful of in order to fortify your e-mail security. Such actions include: filtering mail that requires you to send in sensitive information (passwords, usernames, etc.), clearing your browser cache and cookies, and signing out once you’re done reading your mail.

 Take charge of how you perform certain actions, even if it’s as simple as e-mailing, so that you can protect your information.

 Bottom line: E-mail security isn’t unreachable – it’s actually in your hands. Or more like your fingertips.

If it looks like this outside, a storm may be approaching...

Have you heard about the recent storms in California, like the one that wreaked havoc in Truckee? Although you all may  not be experiencing the same snow dangers as this small town, the description of the aftermath in a Palm Beach Postpost surely highlights the hazards of natural disasters.

From avalanches to heavy snowfalls, it’s tough to know what to expect from nature.

With that being said, we take it upon us to ensure you are on top of your game and can weather the storm (quite literally).

A glimpse at a 72-hour survival kit. Your's should look a bit similar.

Here are the 3 top tips we found that are sure to help:

1. Have survival items, as well as important documents, ready and in a secure spot. Money Crashers provides a great list of necessary tools – it’s #3 on their list. Some items include: a first aid kit, flashlights, and a radio (so you can still communicate with the real world). In regards to your important documents, make sure they’re in a safe location, in case the storm intensifies and starts to destroy parts of your home.
2. Stop, look, and listen. And no, we’re not preparing you for a fire. These three simple actions are actually also applicable to surviving storms. If you watch weather reports and listen to emergency radios, or even glance out of your window every once in a while, you’ll know when a storm is approaching, which will give you a leg up in terms of preparation.
3. Fresh 102.5 Radio has great advice, one that is often overlooked when preparing for storms: have entertainment ready. It’s often already a frightening experience being huddled in a house, watching the craziness occuring outside. Playing board games is a great way to get everyone’s minds off the chaos.

If you take heed to the above tips, you’ll save time when devising proper safety plans and while minimizing efforts in dealing with the perils of snow.