October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), hosted each year to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity across our Nation, ensuring that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online.
As technology becomes more and more integrated into our everyday lives, the risk that sensitive data could be compromised will continue to rise. The theft of personal data can have financial consequences, with cybercrimes affecting individuals costing them over $4,000 on average. A recent report by the White House Council of Economic Advisers reported that the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received almost 300,000 individual complaints of cybercrimes, with a total estimated cost of $1.3 billion in 2016.
Through your homeowners (or renters or condo) insurance policy, you may add Home Cyber Protection coverage, which is a comprehensive insurance coverage that protects today's individuals and families from a range of personal cyber risks. Cyber insurance is available for exposures including: Cyber Attack, Cyber Extortion, Online Fraud, Data Breach and Cyberbullying. Such coverage would apply to losses such as compromised data on personal computers or mobile devices, and other connected home technology.
What can you do to help avoid the damage of a cyber attack or other type online breach?
Watching out for phishing attempts: Phishing is a form of fraud in which the attacker tries to obtain personal information by masquerading as a reputable entity. Phishing emails almost always tell you to click a link that takes you to a site where you are asked to provide information like account numbers or login credentials, or social security numbers. Legitimate organizations would never request this information from you via an email.
Activate automatic updates for your computer’s operating system and all applications. Next, make sure that you have an antivirus software installed.
Use caution when clicking emails or links that are unknown to you or when using public WiFi networks.
Backup valuable data on an external device or in the cloud. If you’re using an external hard drive, it is advisable that you unplug it from your computer when it is not in use so that it will not be impacted if your computer ever becomes infected.
Protect yourself financially by adding cyber protection to your homeowners insurance policy. Learn more by contacting our office today.
Have questions about your homeowners coverage and whether or not you need cybersecurity protection? Reach out to our office today!