Our world, our lives and our homes are increasingly connected. This connectivity has opened the door for seemingly unlimited opportunities, but with this comes previously unimagined security risks that affect each and every one of us.
Towergate Insurance Brokers have been working with Ecclesiastical Insurance who have created some tools to help you stay cyber safe, and protect the things that are important to you.
Phishing Emails
Phishing occurs when someone tries to get hold of your personal information by sending out emails which usually contain a link to a bogus website, or a link that will download malicious software (malware). Phishing can be conducted via email, a text message and on social media. So how do you protect your lifestyle and identity from phishing emails?
Protecting against phishing emails
- Check for obvious signs of phishing - poor spelling or grammar or poor-quality images.
- Make sure the email is from a trusted source and that you are, in fact, subscribed to the service.
- Never respond to a message from an unknown source.
- Take care not to click any embedded links. Clicking embedded links can provide verification of your active email address. Once this occurs, it may facilitate the targeting of further malicious emails.
- If you detect a phishing email, mark the message as spam and delete it. This ensures that the message cannot reach your inbox in the future.
Download Ecclesiastical’s guide to phishing to find out how you can protect yourself.
Online data sharing
When sharing photos, names and numbers online, are you giving away too much information, that a potential hacker could use? Here are five tips that you might want to consider before you share your personal data online.
Keeping your personal data safe online
- Turn off location services in app settings on your and your children’s mobile devices: social media apps, cameras and others that might reveal location.
- Ensure that you and your family have the appropriate privacy settings enabled on your social media accounts.
- Think twice about posts and photos you’re sharing. Make sure none of your sensitive information is in them.
- When you enter your personal details on a website or app, always check the terms and conditions.
- Don’t share online when you are on holiday, this will let criminals know that your house is empty.
Download Ecclesiastical’s guide to online data sharing to find out how you can protect yourself.
Watch our cyber insurance video
Protect yourself with Towergate’s cyber insurance
Whether you’re concerned about your personal or business data, you can protect yourself with a policy from Towergate Insurance Brokers. Our cyber, crime and data insurance covers losses relating to damage to, or loss of, information from IT systems and networks. Policies generally include significant assistance with, and management of, the incident itself, which can be essential when faced with reputational damage, legal action or regulatory enforcement.
Get a cyber insurance quote online or call 0330 678 1221.
More information about cyber, crime and data insurance
For more information about the range of cyber, data and crime policies we can offer, download our cyber brochure.
Also see further guidance from Ecclesiastical about how you can protect yourself from online risks
More about Ecclesiastical Insurance
Ecclesiastical is a specialist insurer with 130 years’ experience in valuation and risk management. They provide high worth insurance, managed by a dedicated Art & Private Client team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
Ecclesiastical’s simple guide to cyber protection is designed to highlight just a few common security issues and solutions to help you manage your online safety with the same scrutiny you’d manage your personal safety.
About the author
Mark Brannon Cert CII is a respected industry leader with over 17 years’ industry experience in a variety of roles within the business insurance sector. He works across a wide spectrum of insurance product and policy development, delivery and optimisation for clients, including claims, insurer relationships, marketing and communications, and risk management.
Read more cyber insurance articles
For more information or for a full review of your insurance needs, please see our insurance specialisms, contact your usual Towergate Insurance Brokers adviser or email TIB@towergate.co.uk.
The information contained in this bulletin is based on sources that we believe are reliable and should be understood as general risk management and insurance information only. It is not intended to be taken as advice with respect to any specific or individual situation and cannot be relied upon as such. If you wish to discuss your specific requirements, please do not hesitate to contact your usual Towergate Insurance Brokers adviser.
