12 critical tips for safe online-shopping during the Holidays
Security expert Entrust says SSL digital certificates, strong awareness, the key to safer online shopping
Once reserved for crowded malls and brick-and-mortar stores, shopping for the holidays has experienced a dramatic shift to online retailers. Unfortunately, it’s also a lucrative season for phishers and fraudsters, who use the jump in online traffic to illegally obtain the identities of unsuspecting online shoppers. To help, Entrust Inc. provides easy security tips to help customers remain safer while shopping online during the holidays.
“The holiday season is unsurprisingly lucrative for online phishers,” said Entrust President and CEO Bill Conner. “And while they do employ sophisticated techniques for obtaining consumer identities, simple awareness can be a shopper’s most valuable tool in having a safer and more secure online experience.”
Know Phishing Tactics. Consumers can’t be expected to identify every advanced trend in phishing. But they can be aware of common red flags that could signify a potential phishing attack, which may include suspicious URLs, misspellings and urgent requests for banking or personal information.
The SSL Standard. Secure Sockets Layers — more commonly known as SSL — helps ensure that Internet transmissions are encrypted and the identity of the organization has been verified. Consumers can verify if a site uses SSL via the “https:///” in the address bar instead of the standard “http” format.
Look for the Green Bar. Some online retailers have even deployed advanced EV SSL, which turns most browsers’ address bars green during secure transactions. EV SSL is the highest level of security on the Web today.
Find the Golden Lock. One of the main security features of basic SSL, consumers should become familiar with looking for the gold padlock within their browser — especially during the checkout process or when supplying personal information. This indicator should also be present when “https:///” is displayed before your site’s URL in the address bar. Want further assurances? Double-click the gold padlock. Within the dialog box, you’ll be able to verify the name of the company before completing the transaction.
Know Your Path. Tempting offers often arrive in your e-mail inbox. If something looks out of place, however, don’t click on the links — especially if they’re not from a vendor or organization you currently have a relationship with. Instead, navigate to the site yourself to avoid scams and to validate the offer from the organization.
Seek the Seal. Respectable organizations will display the site seal of their SSL certificate provider either on their home page or during the checkout process. Take it a step further by clicking on the site seal to ensure it’s legitimate. Verify that the date and name of the organization are consistent with the site you’re visiting.
Update the Browser. If you’re using a newer computer, make sure you’re using today’s most advanced browsers like Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 8, Mozilla Firefox 3 and Apple Safari 4.0. They all feature more advanced anti-phishing tools (e.g., EV SSL) than older browsers — helping make it even easier for you to stay safe.
Card Security. Most online retailers will require the three-digit Card Verification Value (CVV or CV2) number from the back of your credit card. If they don’t, think twice about completing the purchase.
Be Weary of Wi-Fi. Whenever possible, it’s best to avoid online transactions when connected to a public Wi-Fi — particularly if it’s unsecured. You never know who could be listening.
Logical Logout. This may seem obvious, but log out of any Web session that store personal account or banking information. This simple practice is critical if using a public computer.
Avoid Browser Plugins. Sometimes the offer of a free toolbar for your browser may be too good to be true. Make sure you know who’s providing the plugins and that they’re not a clever disguise for something more nefarious.
Monitor Your Account. While it’s a good habit to keep an eye on your banking account throughout the year, take a closer look during the holiday season — particularly after purchasing products online. If your identity or account has been compromised, you may be able to limit fraud loss if it’s caught early.
For more information about phishing, SSL and EV SSL, visit www.entrust.net.
Swine Flu Epidemic Reported on by Doctors on SIRIUS XM’s Doctor Radio Channel
24/7 health and medical channel delivers breaking news updates, features live, daily call-in shows hosted by world-class physicians from NYU Langone Medical Center
The Top Ten Swine Flu FAQs at www.sirius.com/doctorradio
SIRIUS XM Radio has begun regular live updates of the swine flu epidemic on Doctor Radio, its 24/7 health and medical channel powered by NYU Langone Medical Center. In addition, Doctor Radio’s Medical Director, Dr. Marc K. Siegel, has developed the Top Ten Swine Flu FAQs, which are now posted at www.sirius.com/doctorradio.
Doctor Radio is delivering the latest on swine flu–also known as H1N1 flu– to millions of listeners across the country: medical news, information and advice; preventative measures; how to identify symptoms; the latest statistics and information on new technology such as thermal imaging at airports that can detect people with fevers exclusively reported by its all-medical-professional hosting team.
Doctor Radio–SIRIUS channel 114 and XM channel 119–features live, call-in shows hosted by leading NYU Langone Medical Center doctors from a vast array of fields including: child psychology; sexual health; plastic surgery; emergency room medicine; cancer; heart health; women’s health; dermatology; pediatrics; men’s health; diet and nutrition; sports medicine; psychiatry; and more.
TOP 10 SWINE FLU FAQs by Dr. Marc K. Siegel, Medical Director, Doctor Radio:
What Is Swine Flu?
It’s a new strain of Influenza A, coming from a pig. The pig has contracted one human strain, two pig strains, and one bird strain of the flu. These all combined to make a new strain. Pigs are a Grand Central Station for flu and other viruses.
What Are the Symptoms?
They’re similar to regular flu viruses, but the gastrointestinal symptoms are more severe. They include: severe fatigue; headache; sore throat; nasal congestion; vomiting; diarrhea; nausea
*Keep in mind regular flu season is over, so if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, call your doctor.
How Do You Get It?
Mostly by infected people coughing/sneezing around you, also passing it by touch is likely.
How Is It Passed?
You can pass it on to other people by coughing/sneezing on or near them, and possibly even touching surfaces that they later touch (and then touch their face, eyes, nose, etc.).
How Is It Treated?
There’s no ‘cure’ for it, but you need:
Isolation/Rest
Fluids
Keep fever down
Consider anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza, but keep in mind this strain is resistant to many older anti-viral drugs.
How do you protect yourself?
Frequent hand-washing
Avoid sick people
Don’t cough or sneeze on others
Stay home if you’re sick!
Can You Catch It from Eating Pork Products?
While people in Mexico likely contracted this from handling infected pigs, eating pork products should be safe. Keep in mind to cook pork to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any viruses.
Is Traveling Safe?
Travel to Mexico is still statistically quite safe; the problem is still mainly one of perception, as the actual risk remains low. I would also consider the psychological effects this could have on children; consider what precautions they might take at airports, with customs officers wearing masks, etc.
How Long Does it Last?
The virus can incubate a day or two before symptoms occur. It takes about a week to recover from the full-blown virus.
Is this real or hype? Do I need to be worried?
The danger is getting a lot of hype, but it is real. You probably don’t need to be worried, though.
Dr. Siegel is a practicing internist, an Associate Professor at the NYU School of Medicine and a fellow in the Master Scholars Society at New York University.
Every day Doctor Radio explores a wide range of intriguing health and medical headlines, topics, and studies discussed conversationally and interactively with SIRIUS XM listeners across the country. The full programming lineup, sample audio clips, doctor host bios, show descriptions can be found at www.sirius.com/doctorradio.
The information and opinions expressed on Doctor Radio are intended to address the specific questions asked or situations described on the program, and are not designed to constitute advice or recommendations as to any disease, ailment or physical condition. You should not act or rely upon any information contained in these broadcasts without seeking the advice of your personal physician. If you have any questions about the information or opinions expressed during these broadcasts, please contact your doctor.
Source: SIRIUS XM Radio
Combating Swine Flu: HTH Worldwide Offers Tips to Travelers
In the wake of media reports on the outbreak of swine flu, HTH Worldwide, a global health and safety services company, is offering advice to travelers who may already be in Mexico and are concerned about what steps to take.
Over one million American businesspeople, expatriates, students studying abroad and vacationers are already in Mexico. For those travelers, HTH Worldwide offers five basic tips:
1. Do your homework. Smart travelers should take time to understand the nature of Swine Flu, including its symptoms and transmission
(http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/extras/swineFlu.cfm ).
2. Know the hospital emergency rooms in your destination. This is a step that people rarely take the time to consider, but understanding the local healthcare landscape in a city such as Mexico City can be important, especially in an emergency. HTH has identified reliable emergency rooms throughout Mexico and in Mexico City neighborhoods typically frequented by U.S. visitors. You don’t want to rely on the hotel concierge for a recommendation on a good doctor or hospital.
3. Understand what medications are needed. Tamiflu(R) or Relenza(R) are the drugs of choice. Tamiflu is not available commercially but has been stockpiled by the government in adequate supplies and is being dispensed via large hospitals. Relenza has been commercially available in Mexico but demand may exceed supply.
4. Know the language, at least a little bit. In an emergency situation, a language barrier can be tragic. If you don’t speak the local language, have a translation tool or resource with you.
5. Don’t panic. The outbreak of Swine Flu has garnered international media attention. Even though the Centers for Disease Control have advised
against non-essential travel to Mexico, stay informed and keep you perspective – you might not have to cancel that trip just yet.
“Knowledge is the great equalizer; everyone who is traveling to Mexico City should immerse themselves in facts and not simply listen to the rumors,” said Angelo Masciantonio, director and CEO, HTH Worldwide. “There are numerous technologies and tools that will help you remain informed about the true nature of this outbreak. If a traveler does encounter swine flu or other issues while abroad, it’s critical that they receive high quality healthcare, HTH offers its information and access to highly-qualified caregivers via the Internet and a mobile application called mPassport(R) (www.mpassport.com).”
HTH Worldwide has a global network of more than 5,000 hospitals and English-speaking doctors in 180 countries. This network includes twenty-one hospitals and 84 doctors in Mexico City.
Source: HTH Worldwide
To Repair or to Replace – That Is the Question
AAA offers advice for motorists debating costly major repairs vs. new vehicle purchase
With the downswing in the economy and the country in a recession many motorists have delayed the purchase of a newer vehicle. But as existing vehicles continue to age, major components can begin to fail and leave motorists facing a tough decision — invest in costly repairs to an older vehicle or the purchase of a newer one.
“Repairing major vehicle components such as the transmission or engine can run upwards of $2,000 or more,” said John Nielsen, director, AAA Approved Auto Repair and Auto Buying. “When faced with the decision of whether to invest in the repair of a current vehicle or purchase a newer one, motorists need to consider a number of factors.”
Comparing costs
It is typically less expensive in the long run to repair the vehicle already owned rather than purchasing a newer one. Financing even a $2,000 repair typically results in lower payments (or similar payments for a shorter time) than those incurred when purchasing a newer vehicle.
If motorists are still paying off a car loan on an existing vehicle, they need to take a careful look at the equity they have in it. If they are ‘upside down’ in the loan, meaning they owe more than the current value of the vehicle, purchasing a newer vehicle could mean not only financing its purchase price but also the negative equity from their current vehicle.
The 50-percent rule
After receiving the estimate of a major repair, consider the ‘50-percent rule.’ When the cost of a needed repair approaches 50 percent of the vehicle’s value, it is time to seriously consider replacing it. Current trade-in and retail values of vehicles can be determined using tools available in the Auto Buying section of AAA.com.
Reliability and maintenance history
The decision to make a major vehicle repair should always be based on knowing the vehicle is otherwise in good condition and likely will not require additional major repairs anytime soon. Consider the reliability of the vehicle so far. If it has a history of problems, it could indicate there are more costly repairs still to come.
The best way to know a vehicle’s condition is by maintaining it on a regular basis and using the same repair shop. If a repair shop knows the service history of a vehicle, consumers can look to its technicians for guidance on when their vehicle likely will need major repairs. Keep in mind that the best time to make a repair or replace decision is always before the vehicle breaks down. A car with its transmission scattered by the roadside has little or no trade-in value.
“Following the vehicle manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations can greatly increase the lifespan of a vehicle,” Nielsen said. “It’s the difference between paying $100 now to replace a part before it fails or being faced with a $1,000 repair bill later when the part fails and causes major damage to other vehicle components.”
Cosmetics
The cosmetic condition of a vehicle can greatly affect its value and a motorist’s desire to hold on to it. Motorists should take a critical look at their vehicle for signs of a wear and tear and evaluate how important their vehicle’s cosmetics are to them. For someone who frequently drives business associates, vehicle appearance might be a higher priority than it is to others.
Nicks in the paint that are starting to rust or snags in the upholstery might not seem like a big deal now, but they can grow into larger cosmetic issues that can depreciate the value of a vehicle. If opting to hold on to a vehicle, be sure to address those little things to prevent them from getting worse.
Lifestyle
Changes in lifestyle can be a large factor in changing vehicles. Family size, commute length, recreational usage and business needs are all legitimate reasons to consider purchasing a newer vehicle that is better suited to a consumer’s driving routine. Changes in priorities can also be a factor, such as the desire for a more environmentally friendly vehicle or one with more safety features.
Outside factors
Several outside factors may impact the decision between repairing and replacing a vehicle such as reduced pricing and special offers from manufacturers; the ability to secure financing; and other upcoming expenses. A vehicle that could become an appreciating classic sometime down the road also might be worthy of extraordinary repairs and maintenance.
“Given proper maintenance and an occasional repair, modern cars are highly reliable and can be safely driven far beyond 100,000 miles,” Nielsen said.
If deciding to go ahead with a major repair, be sure to use a qualified and trustworthy auto repair facility. AAA offers a free public service to assist consumers in their search for a quality auto repair shop. AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities have met stringent standards for customer service, quality and expertise. A listing of AAA Approved Auto Repair shops is available at AAA.com/repair.
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.