by Brian Thompson | Feb 9, 2023 | General, Identity Theft, Uncategorized
As a parent, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers and harmful content on TikTok, a popular social media platform among children. This guide provides information on TikTok parental controls and the reasons why it may be best to keep children off the app.
TikTok Parental Controls: A Guide for Protecting Children
Concerned parents and authorities need a comprehensive guide on TikTok parental controls to protect children from harmful and inappropriate content on the popular social media platform. This tutorial outlines step-by-step instructions to implement TikTok controls and discusses privacy policies.
- Create TikTok Account: Get started by creating a TikTok account for your child, giving you access to all platform features and settings.
- Enable Digital Wellbeing: Go to “Settings & Privacy” and select “Digital Wellbeing” to enable features such as “Screen Time Management” and “Restricted Mode.” These tools help monitor children’s activity and protect them from harmful content.
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Protect your child’s privacy by visiting “Settings & Privacy” and selecting “Privacy and Safety.” Change who can send direct messages, view videos, and see their profile to the most secure options.
- Report Inappropriate Content: Encourage your child to report any inappropriate or harmful content by using TikTok’s reporting feature.
- Educate Children: Parental controls are important, but so is educating children on online safety and the potential dangers of social media. Teach them to be cautious with information they share, avoid strangers, and report any inappropriate behavior or content.
Regarding privacy policies, TikTok collects information such as location, device information, and usage data. While this data improves user experience, it may raise privacy concerns for parents. To protect children’s privacy, review TikTok’s privacy policy and adjust app privacy settings to limit data sharing.
In conclusion, TikTok parental controls provide a vital way to protect children from harmful and inappropriate content on the app. By creating a TikTok account, enabling digital wellbeing features, adjusting privacy settings, reporting inappropriate content, and educating children, parents can ensure a safe and enjoyable TikTok experience for their kids.
There are several reasons why it may be best to keep children off TikTok. Some of the main concerns include:
- Inappropriate Content: TikTok is known for hosting a vast amount of content that may not be suitable for children. This includes content that is sexually explicit, violent, or promotes harmful ideologies.
- Online Safety: TikTok is a social media platform that can be used by predators to target and exploit children. Children may be at risk of being exposed to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or may become victims of online grooming.
- Screen Time: TikTok is a highly engaging platform that can quickly consume a lot of a child’s time. Spending too much time on TikTok can lead to decreased physical activity, disrupted sleep patterns, and decreased academic performance.
- Privacy Concerns: TikTok collects and stores personal data from its users, which can raise privacy concerns. Children may not understand the implications of sharing personal information online, and their data could be used for malicious purposes. See TikTok Terms of Service
- Intrusive Policies: TikTok’s privacy policies may be considered intrusive, as the app collects and stores a large amount of personal data from its users. This can raise privacy concerns, particularly for children who are vulnerable.
Considering the potential dangers and harmful content on TikTok, it may be best to keep children off the app. Instead, parents can encourage children to spend their time on other, safer and more appropriate activities.
Protecting children on TikTok requires a combination of parental controls, education, and awareness of the potential dangers. By understanding TikTok’s privacy policies, implementing parental controls, and limiting children’s time on the app, parents can ensure a safe and enjoyable online experience for their kids.
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by Brian Thompson | Feb 2, 2023 | Uncategorized
In today’s fast-paced business world, small business owners face numerous challenges. Challenges include the cost of providing valuable employee benefits while also keeping expenses low. However, with the growing threat of identity theft, it’s essential to find a way to protect employees while also securing the success of the business. That’s where the idea of “Protecting Employees and Securing Success” comes into play. By including identity theft protection in employee benefits, small businesses can:
- attract and retain top talent,
- improve employee morale,
- and ensure the safety of their employees’ personal and financial information.
This article will explore the benefits of offering identity theft protection as a benefit and how it can positively impact both employees and the business.
The struggle
Small business owners face a constant struggle in trying to balance the cost of employee benefits with the value that these benefits offer to their employees. In today’s digital age, where a significant amount of personal and financial information is stored online, the threat of identity theft has become a significant concern. This is why many companies have started including identity theft protection in their benefit packages. They are adding ID Theft Protection to not only attract top talent but also to provide added value to their employees.
Identity theft is a growing problem, affecting millions of people every year. In the event of a data breach or other security incident, the aftermath can be a long and costly process for the victim to recover. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the average time it takes a victim to recover from identity theft is 600 hours. 600 hours is equivalent to over two and a half weeks of full-time work. This is not only a burden on the victim but also on the company. Companies are losing valuable productivity and face increased costs associated with their employee’s recovery process.
A Solution
Providing identity theft protection as a benefit can help small businesses stand out from their competitors while also providing peace of mind to their employees. It can be an attractive perk for job seekers and help the company attract and retain top talent. In addition, it can be cost-effective compared to the time and resources it takes to recover from identity theft.
Lets face it companies are already paying for their employees to recover on their own. But if they have a professional to help with the recovery process it is much less expensive. A professional identity theft protection service will provide the necessary support and resources for employees to quickly and efficiently recover from identity theft. This can include 24/7 monitoring, credit reports, and fraud resolution services. The cost of these services is usually minimal compared to the cost of lost productivity and the time it takes for an employee to recover on their own.
Another advantage of including identity theft protection as a benefit is that it can help build trust and improve employee morale. When employees know that their employer is taking steps to protect their financial security, they feel valued and appreciated. This, in turn, can lead to increased job satisfaction and a more motivated and productive workforce.
Including identity theft protection as a benefit for small businesses is a smart move. Not only will it provide added value to employees, but it will also set the company apart from its competition. It is also cost-effective compared to the time and resources it takes for employees to recover on their own. So, why wait? Take the first step towards a safer and more competitive workplace. Offer Identity theft protection to your employees with defend-id today.
Agents Offer Identity Theft Protection?
by Brian Thompson | Dec 14, 2022 | Identity Theft, Uncategorized
4 Things to Watch Out for this Holiday Season!
Oh, what a year it has been and continues to be this holiday season! Unfortunately, in this continued craziness, bad guys tend to take advantage of anyone they can. They also are opportunistic during the holidays. Both being an issue right now provides a great opportunity for deceit and fraud. We encourage you to take the time this year to ensure you are being safe with your generosity and activities online and off. Below you will find 4 things to watch out for this holiday season, coupled with the pandemic.
-
Online shopping Scams!
This year more than ever, holiday shoppers will
be purchasing online. According to the Better Business Bureau, online
shopping is expected to increase over the last year by 10% to 75%. Watch out
for “locked out” messages claiming you have been locked out of your
accounts. The bad guys are sending phishing emails in an attempt to
steal your account information.
-
Charitable Giving Scams.
Giving scams are always increased around the
holidays but due to more families needing help in 2020, it is likely that there
is a large increase in donations and scams. COVID scams are going to
continue and the holidays are a great way for criminals to take advantage of
your giving spirit. Make sure you are giving to a reputable organization.
-
Use Secure Payments Use your credit card online, it has more protection
than your debit card.
Credit cards have better dispute protections where
debit cards can expose your bank accounts to withdrawals. Use Credit cards
for transactions, they provide more protection if you have made a
transaction with a criminal.
-
Ads and Offers Scams.
You will see many ads and offers on platforms like
Facebook and Instagram this holiday season. Before you purchase through
an ad or offer, research the company for anything scam-related
“Peace of Mind with a Place to Turn”
These 4 things to watch out for this holiday season are just some of the scams out there. Please take care in your efforts to spread holiday cheer and think before you click. We wish you the happiest of holidays!
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by Brian Thompson | Jun 15, 2022 | Uncategorized
All identity theft is illegal, YES, but what do they mean when they say Employee Criminal identity theft? Unfortunately, it is not just some fictional story played out in the movie “Identity Thief”. If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend it. Jason Bateman has his identity stolen by Melissa McCarthy and as you can imagine the comedic duo battle throughout the movie…very funny!
What is employee criminal identity theft?
Employee Criminal identity Theft typically occurs when an identity thief gives an employee’s name or personal information during an arrest or investigation. They may use a stolen driver’s license or other identification in the employee’s name or simply use the name and information of a friend or relative without showing any identification. The employee’s data is then added to the state’s criminal database and potentially the national database.
Most victims don’t even know about it until much later until something else happens. Most will find out when a job or loan applications involves a background check, or they get pulled over and find out they have a bench warrant.
Unfortunately it is difficult to prevent and difficult to fix. As an employee, it is their responsibility to clear their name. Employees will need to with law enforcement and court personnel to correct the false reporting on the local, state, and federal level.
Warning signs
An employee may be a victim of criminal identity theft if:
- They get arrested and don’t know why
- Are denied for promotion after background check
- Get fired after background check
- They don’t get hired after background check
- Receive a ticket for a car or property they don’t own or in unfamiliar places
What if it happens to you as an employee?
Here are three tips to follow if it happens to you:
- Talk to law enforcement. If any of the above warning signs apply to you it is time to contact the authorities. You should ask your employer or loan officer about the areas of concern and where they occurred. You can file a report about the incident and offer any personal information that would help clear your name/identity in comparison to the criminal.
- Keep Documentation. Once you have proven your innocence, ask law enforcement to provide you with a “certificate of release”. Keep this letter with you in the event you need it in the future. Not all databases are updated immediately and this will help to clear you in any unfortunate future situations.
- States Attorney General. Contact your state and determine if they offer special help for identity theft. This can be useful if your state has addressed identity theft in the court system.
Although criminal identity theft is less prevalent than other types of fraud it is certainly something we all need to be aware of. So next time someone asks, What is Criminal Identity Theft, we can help explain.
Lower employee risk of Criminal Identity Theft with our defend-id services – and get a dedicated recovery expert if your identity ever becomes compromised. defend-id monitors criminal data records for employee reporting and will alert your employee as soon as it is detected.
Stay safe, click carefully and protect your data!
by Brian Thompson | Jun 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
Do not let your guard down. Always be cautious in revealing information about yourself or your employer. “Stop, look and think” about emails, texts, and phone calls. Slow down, be aware, be safe, and don’t be the weak link to identity theft.
Nearly eight years ago I wrote a December 2014 article for the Arizona Republic titled Read the fine print when buying ID-theft protection services.
The premise of my article was that the core product offered to most identity theft protection service providers is credit bureau monitoring and that credit bureau monitoring offers a false sense of security.
Credit bureau monitoring cannot monitor non-financial identity theft events. Events like:
- taxpayer ID theft and refund fraud,
- unemployment ID theft, benefits fraud,
- medical ID theft and fraud,
- or credential (e.g. driver’s license and passport) ID theft and fraud.
The identity theft protection community is largely reputable and trustworthy. It is not uncommon, however, for identity theft marketing campaigns to include deception, exaggerated threats, and flawed offers.
In addition, I encourage consumers to read the fine print for hidden “exclusions” when selecting an identity theft service provider. Hidden exclusions are commonly found in the “terms and conditions,” where marketing meets reality.
Marketing versus reality.
I find it interesting how more consumers are paying for ID theft protection services than ever before and yet there are more victims of ID theft than ever before. (The bad guys getting better? Are there more PII records our there? The ID Theft Protection Providers Failing or are they just marketing beyond their ability?)
For example and according to the March 2022 Javelin Strategy Annual Identity Fraud Study, identity theft and fraud losses totaled $52 billion affecting 42 million U.S. adults in 2021.
Here are a few ways consumers lower their risk of being a weak link to identity theft.
- First, consumers need to stay up to date on the most recent data breach and identity theft trends such as Phishing (fraudulent emails), Vishing (fraudulent phone calls and voice mail messages) and Smishing (fraudulent text messages) tactics.
- Second, consumers should be taking advantage of risk mitigation tools such as fraud alerts, credit freezes, credit/debit card alerts, and yes – even credit bureau monitoring – as long as you understand the limitations of credit bureau monitoring.
- Third, consumers should consider using new and strong passwords every 90 days or use a password manager that can help create new and strong passwords along with scanning existing passwords to flag reused and weak passwords.
- Lastly, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) as VPN software scrambles your IP address, encrypts data sent between your computer and the websites you visit, and masks your true location and service provider. Masking your data is very important while using public WIFI
To conclude, I would like to reference Kevin Mitnick, the Chief Hacking Officer and part owner of security awareness training company KnowBe4 and convicted hacker turned paid security consultant, public speaker, and author.
Mr. Mitnick is best known for his high-profile 1995 arrest and five years in prison for various computer and communications-related crimes. He has said many times that “the weakest link in the security chain is the human element.”
To add to Mr. Mitnick’s comments about the human element, I always say that hackers, social engineers and ID theft criminals depend on human nature, psychology and “trusting” consumers to let their guards down.
Do not let your guard down. Always be cautious in revealing information about yourself or your employer. “Stop, look and think” about emails, texts, and phone calls. Slow down, be aware, be safe, and don’t be the weak link to identity theft.
Sincerely,
Mark
by Brian Thompson | Mar 17, 2022 | Uncategorized
Whether working at our local coffee shop or checking sports scores on a plane, most of us use public WiFi all the time. Indeed, because public WiFi networks have become so ubiquitous, we no longer associate them with risky behavior. They’re a normal part of our daily lives. BUT is public wifi safe in 2022?
But failing to understand the risks that are inherent to public WiFi networks, and not taking steps to protect ourselves when we use it is like leaving our front door unlocked when we go to sleep. Sure, if we do it once or twice, we probably won’t get robbed, but why would we take that risk?
The simple truth is that most of us use public WiFi networks all the time. Only a few of us understand the risks, and even fewer are taking steps to adequately protect ourselves.
The Risks of Public WiFi Networks
We’ve said this for years, but it bears repeating: all public WiFi networks are inherently insecure. If a WiFi network is public, that means anything you do online can be tracked and captured. We should never assume that any network is safe, especially it’s safe just because you paid for access to it.
Not everyone understands the difference in risk between secured networks (like you probably have in your home and workplace), and insecure networks like you get at the local Starbucks or at the airport.
Many of us assume that if we have nothing to hide, or are just checking stock prices, we don’t have to be careful.
And wouldn’t the providers of the WiFi network let us know if there were security issues?
People Love to Use Public WiFi
One thing that is very apparent is that we love to connect to public WiFi networks. According to a recent survey by DecisionData.org, nearly 82% of us will connect to any freely available WiFi network when out in public.
But the bigger problem is that most of us who connect to public WiFi networks don’t understand the danger. 71% of those who connect to these networks are not concerned at all, while 16% are a little concerned. Less than 1 in 10 people are very concerned.
Said one respondent: “I had no idea that public WiFi could even be dangerous.” Said another “Who cares. All our data is out there floating around anyways.
How WiFi Hacks Occur
