How Cyber Safe Are You in the Digital Age?

The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies is proud to offer exclusive rates on home and auto insurance, and commercial and group benefits to ACTA members through the exclusive ACTAProtect insurance program.

How often do you use technology to perform personal or professional tasks? Learn how cyber insurance can protect you.

Plus, when you request a quote or provide us with your renewal date before December 31, 2019 you’ll be entered to WIN a $100 Amazon Gift Card*

Technology is part of our daily lives – with constant advances and breakthroughs, it’s hard to imagine a time when society wasn’t so heavily dependent on it. 

While a lot of these changes make our lives easier, the reality is that the ever-evolving world of technology moves much faster than our laws and regulations can keep up with. As we move into the digital world, the risks associated can affect us personally and professionally.

Within the past five years, the cost of cyber related crimes to companies has increased by 72 percent according to a recent report from Accenture and the Ponemon Institute, The Cost of Cyber Crime

Businesses of all sizes risk privacy breaches, which results in reputational damage. As of November 1, 2018, any company, small or large, must report any breaches involving personal information. Failure to do so can result in significant fines and you could be sued if sensitive personal information is exposed. 

Do you use a computer for your business?

If you store sensitive information (such as customer credit cards numbers) on your computer or in a cloud-based server, you could face a lawsuit if it’s hacked. You could also be sued if a customer is directly impacted by the hack. For example, if a customer’s credit card information was released online, and their card received extra charges, they could file a lawsuit. Cyber insurance could help with legal fees.

Here are some ways to protect yourself against cyber-attacks:

• Be cautious online as online activities bring tons of access points and opportunities for scammers. 
• Install a firewall or anti-spyware software to help regulate and filter out the spam from the legitimate emails.
• Don’t open any links, attachments, or coupons that look suspicious, are spelled incorrectly or is embedded into the actual email message.
• Consider getting Identify Theft insurance. Whether you’ve lost wages, had your government identification stolen, or you’ve had to shell out money for notary and filing fees, ID theft insurance can cover you for up to $25,000.

As your broker, it’s our goal to make sure you walk away with peace of mind, so we’re here every step of the way.

Do you shop online?

Online shopping is a convenient way to purchase gifts or other items. However, it can result in identity theft scams. An identity theft scam is when your personal information is used for financial gain.

Here are some ways to notice and protect yourself from online scams:

• Watch the website URL. Reputable online retailers have secured websites. This means information in transactions is encrypted, which is a way to prevent customer information (such as a credit card number) from being leaked. Secure websites begin with “https” in the address and usually, a closed lock icon is visible within the website address.
• Only purchase on secure networks. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for transactions as it could be hacked; this could result in someone’s credit card information being stolen. Using a home or private, secured network which is password protected is a much safer option.
• Ensure a computer or mobile device has updated anti-virus software and anti-spyware filters. It could also help in catching computer viruses before they impact a computer or mobile device.
• Keep away from “phishers.” If a purchase has been made online, a customer may receive a confirmation email. However, if personal or banking information is requested in an email message, it’s likely to be a scam – the request should not be answered. If this occurs, it’s important to contact the company to inform them of the message. Additionally, if the request includes a link, it should not be clicked. Not only could it bring a customer to a site to fill in their financial information but it could also result in a virus being downloaded.

Both cyber insurance and identity theft insurance are beneficial to add to your policy as another layer of protection. Our cyber insurance plans are affordable, easy to manage, and customized to meet your personal and professional needs. 

Identity theft insurance could help if your identity was ever stolen. While the coverage will depend on the policy, identity theft insurance could help with legal fees, lost income from time away from work and fees to restore an identity. It’s often added to an existing home insurance policy.

As your broker, it’s our goal to make sure you walk away with peace of mind, so we’re here every step of the way. Don’t spend your free time looking for insurance. Let us do it for you.

Call 1-888-286-2282 or visit us to make sure you’re covered.

For more details on the contest, find the rules here. 

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