Desert Messenger

October 2, 2019 www.DesertMessenger.com 21 October is National Cyber Awareness month BBB Offers Preventative Measures to Rampant Online Breaches Cybersecurity is an enormous threat to the global economy and crimes are estimated to reach over $2 trillion in loss by the end of 2019. A National Cyber Security Alliance survey found preventing identity theft is a top safety con- cern for Americans. The role indi- viduals play in online safety is a key element to enhance cybersecurity, at home and in the workplace. To prevent businesses and consumers from falling victim to cyber crimes, Better Business Bureau (BBB) en- courages everyone to follow several proactive steps that will go a long way in preventing digital breaches. Everyone is a target to hackers. EVERYONE is at risk and stakes are high. Keeping online devices and computer resources secure is everyone's responsibility, for per- sonal and fi nancial well-being. Keep software up-to-date. Install- ing software updates for operating systems and programs is critical. Turn on automatic updates and al- ways install the latest security up- loads for personal devices. Use web browsers such as Chrome or Firefox that receive frequent, automatic se- curity updates. Practice good password manage- ment. Use strong passwords - 20 characters or more is recommend- ed. Use a mix of characters and never use the same password for multiple sites. Passwords should be updated at least once every six months. Many password managers will create secure passwords and store them in an encrypted fi le. Protect sensitive data. Keep sen- sitive data such as Social Security numbers, credit card information, etc. protected on a workstation, laptop or mobile device. Always use encryption when storing or trans- mitting sensitive data. Avoid phishing scams. Beware of suspicious emails. Cyber criminals will attempt to trick consumers into divulging personal informa- tion such as login and password, banking, personal and credit card information. Be careful what you click on. Avoid visiting unknown websites or downloading software from an unsecure source. These sites often host malware that will automatical- ly, and often silently, compromise a consumer's computer. Install anti-virus protection. Only install an antivirus program from a reputable and trusted source. Never leave devices unattended. The physical security of a device is just as important as technical secu- rity. If a laptop, desktop, phone or tablet is left alone for any length of time, lock it or shut it down so in- formation cannot be accessed. Use mobile devices safely. Con- sidering how much mobile devices cost and how susceptible they are to attack, each individual needs to make sure they are protected. Lock each device with a Personal Identi- fi cation Number (PIN) or password and keep the device's operating sys- tem updated. Avoid transmitting or storing personal information on the device. Users can rely on Apple's "Find My iPhone" or the Android "Device Manager" tools to recover a stolen or lost device or remotely remove sensitive data. BBB offers year-round cyber secu- rity and identity theft seminars for businesses and consumers, at no cost. Click here to attend BBB edu- cational programs and click here for more information on "BBB's 5 Steps for Better Business Cybersecurity". If you have been a victim of cyber security, there are resources avail- able to report to such as Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). IC3 is a partnership between the Fed- eral Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). IC3's mission is to serve as a vehicle to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cyber crime. For more information or to sched- ule an interview with a BBB spokes- person, please contact Kryistyna Hook at 928-302-3701 or kryistyna. hook@bbbcommunity.org (StatePoint) Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are increasingly popular, offering robust benefi ts including vision, health, dental, drug cover- age and more. For the more than 22 million people with an MA plan, the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), running from Oct. 15-Dec. 7, is the only time each year when they can shop for alternate plans. "Health care is one of the most important investments you'll ever make," says Brian Evanko, who heads Medicare for Cigna, which serves more than 3 million Medi- care customers nationwide through its various plans. "For those unsat- isfi ed with their MA plan, the AEP provides a valuable opportunity to shop for a new one that better meets their specifi c needs." Weighing your options this AEP? Consider the following tips from Cigna: • Review changes. In late Septem- ber, health plans send their current MA customers a document known as the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) with information about plan changes for the upcoming year, including costs, benefi ts, available doctors and facilities. Don't over- look this important document in the mail. It can help you determine if you need to change plans. • Weigh extras. When comparing plans, pay attention to extra ben- efi ts not available in Original Medi- care and consider whether you're likely to use them. Some of the most popular are dental, vision, hearing and no-cost access to fi tness pro- grams. Others might include over- the-counter drug coverage and no- cost transportation to doctors and pharmacies. • Consider other factors. Beyond cost, consider the doctors and fa- cilities included in any given plan, making sure it includes your favor- ite physician. Check drug coverage, prices on your regular maintenance medications and whether it's easy to see specialists. Also pay attention to copays (how much you're required to pay out-of-pocket for doctor vis- its) and the deductible. Are they af- fordable? • Know yourself. Learn as much as you can about the different plan types and choose one that best suits your budget, lifestyle and health status. Of course, priorities change, which could prompt a need for a plan change. • Don't forget prevention. Many MA plans cover health screenings beyond those covered by Original Medicare. Talk to your doctor about which screenings are important for you given your age and health sta- tus. Some MA plans may even pro- vide rewards, such as gift cards, for completing certain screenings. • Get assistance. Plan Finder, found at medicare.gov/fi nd-a-plan, is an online tool available through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that helps you compare premiums, costs of medications and more. You can see how plans are rated from one to fi ve stars based on different quality measures. Ad- ditionally, many insurance plans of- fer seminars at no cost and with no obligation to sign up. You can also check health plans' websites or call their customer service for more in- formation. Local and state agencies on aging also connect older adults and caregivers with resources. "Medicare is a great program, but it can be complicated, especially for those who are new to it," Evanko advises. "Seek out third-party re- sources and talk to friends and family who have been through the process, asking questions until you understand your options." Making the most of Medicare election period

• Cover