With a polar vortex bearing down on us, it is more important than ever to look out for the elderly in our community. Nearly half of all hypothermia deaths happen to people over age 65. Many of these deaths can occur right in their own homes because seniors don’t feel the dip in degrees due to dementia or medication that can affect awareness.
The local SYNERGY HomeCare office, which already checks in on the elderly as part of its business, wants others in the community to make sure seniors are safe.
The experts at SYNERGY HomeCare can explain how to create a Cold Weather Companion kit with a few simple items.
In addition to checking-in on seniors to make sure their homes have heat, the fridge is stocked, and prescriptions are filled, locals can bring this kit to an elderly loved one or neighbor to make sure the senior is well taken care of while they’re cooped up inside.
The Cold Weather Companion kit includes:
Families taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia should take extra precautions to ensure their loved one doesn’t wander outside in the frigid temperatures. Research shows three of five Alzheimer’s patients will wander at some point after their diagnosis.
Precautions for families include:
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Adam Grunwerg
Psychic Ventures Ltd
St Magnus House
3 Lower Thames Street
London
EC3R 6HD
Weak Passwords Caused 30% of Ransomware Infections in 2019
As one of the leading types of cyber-attacks, ransomware is expected to dominate cybercrime in 2020. According to PreciseSecurity.com research, weak passwords were one of the most common cybersecurity vulnerabilities in 2019, causing 30% of ransomware infections in 2019.
Weak Passwords Are the Third Most Common Ransomware Cause Globally
The recent PreciseSecurity.com research revealed that phishing scams caused more than 67% of ransomware infection globally during the last year. Another 36% of Mail Protection Service users reported ransomware attacks caused by the lack of cybersecurity training. Weak passwords were the third most common reason for ransomware infections globally in 2019.
The 30% share in the combined number of ransomware infections during the last years indicates a concerning level of password security awareness. The 2019 Google survey about beliefs and behaviors around online security showed that two in three individuals recycle the same password across multiple accounts. More than 50% admitted using one "favorite" password for the majority of the accounts. Only one-third of respondents knew how to define the password manager.
Only 12 % of US Online Users Take Advantage of Password Managers
The 2019 Statista survey reveals that 64% of US respondents find stolen passwords as the most concerning issue about data privacy. However, such a high level of concern didn't affect their habits related to keeping track of login information. According to the findings, 43% of respondents reported that their primary method of keeping track of their most crucial login information was to write it down. Another 45% of respondents named memorizing the login data as their primary method of tracking. At the same time, only 12% of US online users take advantage of password managers.
23.2 Million Victim Accounts Globally Used 123456 as Password
Using hard-to-guess passwords represent the first step in securing sensitive online information. However, according to the UK's National Cyber Security Centre 2019 survey, password re-use and weak passwords still represent a significant risk for companies and individuals all over the world.
The breach analysis indicated that 23.2 million victim accounts from all parts of the world used 123456 as a password. Another 7.8 million data breach victims chose a 12345678 password. More than 3.5 million people globally picked up the word "password" to protect access to their sensitive information.
The full story can be read here: https://www.precisesecurity.com/articles/weak-passwords-caused-30-of-ransomware-infections-in-2019/
Hi Jim,
Please see the below article that is free for your use. For an interview or comments from Stephen Hyduchak on this and related topics please reach out and I will be happy to coordinate.
Ashley
Is It You Or An ID Thief? How AI Uses Document Verification To Keep You Safe
It’s a moment most people have experienced.
You’re required to show your ID for something and you wait as the person studies both your face and the photo on the driver’s license, passport, or other document, making sure you’re not an impersonator trying to pull a fast one.
These days, artificial intelligence is playing a role similar to that security person, with software that allows validation of IDs remotely through digital document verification. This way you can do business through your smartphone, and someone on the other end can make sure you’re who you say you are and that a thief hasn’t stolen your identity.
And that’s especially important at a time when identity theft has been on the rise, says Stephen Hyduchak, CEO of Aver (www.goaver.com), an identity-verification service.
“Fraudsters are getting creative, but so is technology,” Hyduchak says. “It’s important to keep up because there are so many ways to create fake documents that allow someone to claim to be you and maybe even get away with it.”
Hyduchak says there are a few categories of document fraud:
Illegitimate documents. These documents are completely false. They have characteristics such as missing holograms or other current standards that are essential parts of a legitimate version of that document.
False documents. This is a document that belongs to one person, but that another person tries to use in an effort to authenticate himself.
Modified documents. This is when an original document is altered. Hyduchak says the alterations can be caught with software that detects whether fonts and text match the originals.
How do fraudsters even get the ID documents to start with? Hyduchak says it’s a matter of data security breaches – and often a combination of more than one breach.
He gives this example. Just recently, the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, using a third-party Know-Your-Customer (KYC) provider, was the victim of a hack that leaked over 10,000 photographs of purported Binance KYC data. This breach affected up to 60,000 people.
“On Binance, users buy and sell cryptocurrency, something that is privacy-centric by its very nature, but still vulnerable,” Hyduchak says.
“Coupling leaks like this with major data breaches like Equifax and Target, our personal information can be manipulated for the fraud with some basic photoshop work.”
A digital verification process is one way to head off any subterfuge, Hyduchak says. For example, his company has a program that works this way: The user captures a picture of their ID or passport using their smartphone. The user then takes a selfie to verify they are the same person pictured on the ID or passport. Facial recognition software compares the images through algorithms.
“As time goes on,” Hyduchak says, “I think you are going to see digital facial checks become the standard for ID verification, and that will eliminate most types of fraud.”
About Stephen Hyduchak
Stephen Hyduchak is the CEO of Aver (www.goaver.com), an identity-verification service. Hyduchak worked in corporate finance for companies such as PRA Health Sciences before finding the entrepreneur bug. He began working on media and design for small businesses, which led him to consulting projects in the blockchain space, and eventually to founding Aver.
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News | For Immediate Release
January 20, 2020
For more information, contact:
Gina James, Utah Association of Public Charter Schools
gina@utahcharters.org | (801) 673-3327
More than 500 Students, Teachers to Rally for School Choice during Charter Day on the Hill
Rally to feature remarks by Utah gubernatorial candidates
SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 20, 2020) – One of Utah’s largest-ever charter school celebrations will take place during National School Choice Week when more than 650 students and teachers rally at the Utah State Capitol Rotunda. The Charter Day on the Hill will take place on Monday, Jan. 27, the first day of the legislative session.
The rally will kick off at 11:15 a.m. in the capitol rotunda with welcome remarks by Royce Van Tassel, executive director of the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools. Kristin Elinkowski, Chair of the Utah Charter School Board, will introduce the following speakers with Mr. Van Tassell.
From 11:25 to 11:45, Utah’s gubernatorial candidates—Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, Thomas Wright, Amy Winder-Newton, Greg Hughes, Jon Huntsman, and Jeff Burningham—will speak on the power of educational choice in Utah. Photo opportunities will follow.
Starting at 12:20, attendees will enjoy lunch, student performances, opportunities for school networking, legislative visits, and capitol tours. The rally will include a cheer squad performance by Mountainville Academy, ukulele and singing performances by Soldier Hollow Charter School, 3rd grade Sistema string ensemble by American Preparatory Academy, guitar music by Syracuse Arts Academy, a dance performance by Freedom Preparatory Academy, a mariachi band by Esperanza Elementary School, and a drum circle by Capstone Classical Academy.
This event is planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week 2020, which will feature more than 50,000 school choice events across all 50 states.
“We participate in National School Choice Week to remind legislators that tens of thousands of Utah families have found their place in public charter schools,” said Royce Van Tassell, executive director of the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools. “Our Charter Day on the Hill event draws hundreds of public charter school students, teachers and administrators each year to interact with the legislators who make decisions that directly impact their lives. Our event showcases the variety of public charter schools available through student performances and informative displays.”
This event is organized by the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools, which exists to provide advocacy, training, and technical support that promote excellence in public charter schools throughout the state.
The Utah State Capitol is located at 350 N. State St.
For more information, contact Gina James at gina@utahcharters.org or (801) 673-3327.
# # #
As a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort, National School Choice Week shines a positive spotlight on effective education options for students, families, and communities around the country. From January 26 through February 1, 2020, more than 50,000 independently-planned events will be held in celebration of the Week. For more information, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com/utah.
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Hi Dawn,
With BLS data showing a correlation between higher education levels, higher income and lower unemployment rates, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2020's Most & Least Educated States in America as well as accompanying videos.
In order to determine where the most educated Americans live, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 18 key metrics. The data set ranges from share of adults aged 25 and older with at least a high school diploma to average university quality to gender gap in educational attainment.
Most Educated States
Least Educated States
1. Massachusetts
41. Tennessee
2. Maryland
42. New Mexico
3. Colorado
43. Nevada
4. Vermont
44. South Carolina
5. Connecticut
45. Kentucky
6. Virginia
46. Alabama
7. Washington
47. Arkansas
8. New Hampshire
48. Louisiana
9. New Jersey
49. West Virginia
10. Minnesota
50. Mississippi
Key Stats
To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/most-educated-states/31075/
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How to Rebuild Your Credit History After Overcoming Debt
National nonprofit credit counseling agency Take Charge America identifies necessary steps for consumers to regain confidence in their finances
PHOENIX – (Jan. 15, 2020) – Picking up the pieces after falling into serious debt or financial trouble can seem like a daunting task, but repairing your situation is not impossible. It simply takes time, patience and work.
“Understandably, people with bad credit may feel ashamed and embarrassed by their situation and believe there’s no way to fix it,” said Michael Sullivan, a personal financial consultant with Take Charge America, a national nonprofit credit counseling and debt management agency. “But they can — and will — if they focus on the necessary steps to change the way they approach their money and credit.”
Sullivan shares these steps to rebuild your credit:
For more financial tips and guidance, check out Take Charge America’s Financial Education Center or take a free online debt review.
About Take Charge America, Inc.
Founded in 1987, Take Charge America, Inc. is a nonprofit agency offering financial education and counseling services including credit counseling, debt management, student loan counseling, housing counseling and bankruptcy counseling. It has helped nearly 2 million consumers nationwide manage their personal finances and debts. To learn more, visit www.takechargeamerica.org or call (888) 822-9193.
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