I am now convinced that computer software vendors, knowingly or otherwise, help perpetuate insecure computer practices. They do this by the ridiculous practice of pushing out updates through executable files which ninety-eight percent of the time will get blocked by the security software we encourage users to install on their systems. You get a notification that an update is available, and you click on the “update now” button and sit there and wait, and wait, and wait….
Ethics
Plan Ahead: How a Security Response Plan Can Help Your Business Expect the Unexpected
Taking steps to protect personal information in your files and on your computer can go a long way toward preventing a security breach. Nevertheless, breaches can happen.
Identity Theft Law: What Health Care Providers Need to Know
Original article by Steven Toporoff
As many as nine million Americans have their identities stolen each year. The crime takes many forms. But when identity theft involves health care, the consequences can be particularly severe.
Medical identity theft happens when a person seeks health care using someone else’s name or insurance information. A survey conducted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that close to 5% of identity theft victims have experienced some form of medical identity theft. Victims may find their benefits exhausted or face potentially life-threatening consequences due to inaccuracies in their medical records. The cost to health care providers — left with unpaid bills racked up by scam artists — can be staggering, too.
The Lowdown on Laptops: Data Security for the Road Warrior
Scan the lobby at any office building and you’ll see them: Busy executives scrolling through messages on their PDAs, flipping through stacks of client files, and carrying on animated conversations with colleagues via cell phone. No one appreciates the convenience of today’s virtual office more than the globetrotting Road Warrior. But are you maintaining the same high standards for data security when you’re on the go? Here are some tips for reducing the risk of a glitch when you’re away from the office:
The “Red Flags” Rule: Are You Complying with New Requirements for Fighting Identity Theft?
Original article by Tiffany George and Pavneet Singh
The expression “red flag” signals “Danger: Be alert to problems ahead.” For millions of consumers every year, identity theft is more than a threat — it’s their reality. The economic, psychological, and emotional harm to victims can be devastating. But businesses often bear the biggest part of the monetary damage from identity theft.
It’s everyone’s responsibility to do what they can to fight identity theft. But businesses and organizations that offer credit or other financial services can be the first to spot the red flags that signal the risk of identity theft, including suspicious activity indicating that identity thieves may be using stolen information like names, Social Security numbers, account numbers, and birth dates to open new accounts or raid existing ones.
Why Email Encryption is Critical
We’ve all heard the admonition a couple of times to secure our confidential data before sending it as an email attachment. Even a simple password-protected zip file is still better than nothing. On the high end, email encryption using tools like PGP, or the one included with Astaro Security Gateway will insure that your email is protected from prying eyes. There are free tools out there like AxCrypt, the open source file encryption software which allows you to encrypt single files or folders. I have seen a lot of clients sending off bank statements, credit card and social security numbers via email without encryption or protection.