Health ranks poorly when it comes to cyber security
According to the electronic security company Email Report 2014 Status of Agari Trust, the health care industry are lower class when it comes to email security - which means its customers are at high risk of being a victim of e-mail cyber attacks. The Trust report identifies companies from a wide range of industries and ranks them according to their "TrustScore," which is determined by the way companies implement email security protocols. Health in last place with only TrustScore of 17 - compared to the first rank score of 67 social media. This means that an e-mail from your insurance company is four times more likely to be fraudulent in an e-mail from a company social media.
Protect malicious emails to customers is just one way to health is dropping the ball, but of course this is one problem area. Lax safety across the board means that more data breaches as a violation of massive anthem, which exposed the information of up to 80 million people could be on the horizon. A recent study by the Ponemon Institute indicates that millions of Americans have been victims of medical identity theft -. And that number is bound to rise
How can I protect my family and myself?
There are some steps you can take to try to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
1. Ask for a copy of the privacy policy of your health care provider. It is important to know what your doctor, the hospital and the insurance company are to keep your information secure. Knowing how your data is stored and secured, and that the plan of the health care provider to have information on the road can help you make more informed choices about who to trust. If you are not confident in the ability of your health care provider for you and your information to protect, how can you trust them to take care of your health? Suppliers should be transparent about these issues and to provide copies of their privacy policies on request. Do not be afraid to ask questions if you are not able to know what you know from reading the policy.
2. Do not give your Social Security number easily. Most surgeries require your social when you fill in forms, but it is generally not necessary for you to give out. This number is a simple method of identification, true, but put your number on a piece of paper means that it is now there and you do not have control over what happens to him. This piece of paper can be destroyed properly, but it could also be found in an unlocked filing cabinet or trash. If you are questioned about your choice, explain that you are concerned about identity theft and ask if another means of identification will be satisfactory. Most offices, however, will not even raise the issue.
3. Remember that children can be victims, too. Many people do not realize that children are at risk of identity theft, as well as adults. What is worse, because the child's identity theft is more difficult to detect than adults, the consequences can be even more damaging. A child whose medical identity is stolen and used early in life can reach adulthood and to face exorbitant insurance premiums - because someone else took their information when they were still minors. the health damage, unlike those in the retail sector, expose information for adults and children. That's why parents should take steps to secure and protect the identity of your child as soon as possible.
4. Be on the lookout for suspicious emails and phone calls. Because the industry of health care ranks so poorly in the e-mail security, beware when it comes to e-mails that are supposedly from your insurance company or other suppliers medical care. Do not click on links in emails if you can help - if you receive an email that says there is an alert on your account, close the email and visit the vendor's website directly connect and check. Also, be wary when it comes to phone calls claiming your doctor or insurance company. If someone calls asking for personal information, do not hesitate to ask why they need that information or hang up and call using a phone number was found on a billing statement, business card or the provider's website.
5. Sign up for identity theft protection. Although it can not prevent identity theft pure and simple - nothing can - a protection service against reputable identity theft help you stay alert and ready if your information is stolen or hijacked. The main services keep track of your personal information, including your social security number, on various Internet channels on the black market, public records and more. Most also provide reports and credit scores, so you can keep an eye on what is happening with your credit report. TrustedID goes even further and help you ask the medical records of your health care providers, so that you can ensure that no one has received benefits on your behalf. TrustedID is also a great service for families because it offers a blanket with his family plan for all persons living in the same household for only $ 18 / month. Read our full reviews to learn more about TrustedID and other protection services against identity theft.
Keep your responsible health care providers, and to do your part to be vigilant and protect your information, is the key to surviving in a world where it seems there is a new threat to each corner. Learn more about protecting your identity by following our blog protect against identity theft.