Author Archives: Judith

Best Practices for Identity Theft Protection of Devices

Posted on by Judith

This week’s blog is adapted from a recent article by Lisa Gerstner from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. She addresses what to do of your personal computer, smartphone, or other device is lost or stolen. We all know these devices are embedded with a treasure trove of personal information.

A thief who steals your device may be able to access your e-mail, view sensitive documents as well as gain access to your personal finances.

Always lock your devices with a fingerprint sensor, a password or a PIN—one with six or more characters, if possible. Password-protect banking, wallet and other sensitive apps, too. When you get notifications to download updates for your operating system, antivirus software and other programs, do it right away because they may patch security flaws. But never click on a link or attachment in a text message or e-mail from an unfamiliar source (or from what appears to be a familiar source, if anything about the message looks fishy) because it could infect your device with malware.

No matter how tempted you are, be sure that you are only using trusted Wi-Fi networks, preferably ones that are password-protected. Although encrypted Web sites (those that begin with “https”) add protection by making your activities unreadable by hackers, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

When using Wi-Fi, avoid online banking and other sensitive transactions. If you travel a lot, consider using a personal Virtual Private Network (VPN), which provides a secure network.

Before you download a mobile app, read reviews, check its privacy policy and permissions, and visit its Web site to see whether it looks legitimate. If an app requires, say, access to your phone’s camera or GPS for no apparent reason, take a pass on it. Be especially cautious with apps from the Google Play store because anyone can place an app on that market. Apple screens apps more rigorously.

With remote tracking and wiping capability, you can find a stolen or lost device’s location and erase its contents. Users of Apple’s computers, tablets and phones can set up the option through iCloud and with the Find My iPhone app. Android owners can use Google’s Android Device Manager app.

For more on best practices in the realm of identity theft protection, please visit www.hvshred.com

Identity Theft Protection in “The Internet of Things”

Posted on by Judith

In our never-ending effort to keep our community informed of the best practices is identity theft protection, this week we adapt a recent post from the “Stop.  Think. Connect.” blog posted by the Department Of Homeland Security.  The post explains how important it is that we recognize that we now live in a “smart world,” where the Internet touches all aspects of our daily lives. We have wearables that track our eating, sleeping, and exercise habits. We utilize devices that provide us with a quicker route on a summer road trip. We own mechanisms that allow us to preheat our oven or adjust our thermostat on our way home from work before we even walk through the door. These types of devices are all part of our new, more connected world – commonly referred to as the Internet of Things.

The Internet of Things includes objects or devices that send or receive data automatically via the Internet. As more devices and objects become connected to the Internet – from phones and tablets to homes, vehicles, and medical devices – it is important to realize that the security of these devices is not always guaranteed.

Why does it matter?

  • 1.8 billion: the number of smartphone users*
  • 50 billion: the number of connected devices expected by 2020 (that’s 1 person to every 7 devices)*
  • $5 trillion: the amount the IoT market is expected to grow over the next 6 years*

Though this technology brings many conveniences to our lives, it also requires that we share more information than ever. Here are three simple steps to take to secure the devices that hold your valuable personal information.

  • Keep a clean machine. Just like your smartphone or laptop, keep any device that connects to the Internet free from viruses and malware. Update the software regularly on the device itself as well as the mobile applications you use to control the device.
  • Think twice about your device. Have a solid understanding of how a device works, the nature of its connection to the Internet, and the type of information it stores and transmits.
  • Secure your network. Properly secure the wireless network you use to connect Internet-enabled devices.

For more information and tips on identity theft protection, please visit www.hvshred.com

*National Cyber Security Alliance Internet of Things Infographic

Local, Personalized Total Data Security Solution

Posted on by Judith

As we embark on a new school year, we’d like to “school” our blog community with some tips for how to tell one shredding service apart from another.

We encourage all businesses and individuals wherever they are and how small or large the service to THINK LOCAL FIRST.

Local businesses like HV Shred are more likely to be invested in the local community. At HV Shred, our owners are involved with the day to day business–we take the service personally–and we feel service in the community is a premium. That’s why our president Judith Papo is a Rotarian, an active member of the Mid Hudson Chapter CPA Society, as well as active in the local chambers.

In addition, HV Shred focuses on keeping the service simple and straightforward. No hassles with sorting of folders–we even shred hard cover books and spiral notebooks.

Newly added is our hard drive shredder. We can now shred hard drives in seconds right on sight! Electronics recycling is part of our offerings as well.

We are the total data security solution for local businesses.

And everything we shred gets recycled–our clients helped us save over 2000 trees in August alone!

Please visit our newly updated website for more information www.hvshred.com

The case of identity theft with a silver lining

Posted on by Judith

At HV Shred, our goal is to keep the community informed on the latest news in identity theft. In the category of a silver lining to a potentially very bad situation, a case of identity theft had a happy ending for law enforcement and no doubt helped save some future intended victims.

As the story goes, a gentleman received a call from his credit card company questioning whether it was truly him who reserved a room in a Seattle hotel. Since the gentleman was no where near Seattle, he informed the credit card company it was a bogus charge and also called the Seattle police to report the credit card usage at the hotel.

When the police responded to the call, they found two men in the hotel room booked with the stolen credit card. Also in plain view were several cell phones, laptop computers, a router and papers with credit card numbers.

Further investigation turned up hard drives, iPod Touches, various electronic storage devices, magnetic card readers, routers, hotspots and computer peripherals along with unidentified pills and methamphetamine.

The two men were arrested and one duo of identity theft was shut down.

It’s a good reminder to keep an eye on your credit card statements for unauthorized charges. It’s all our jobs to be vigilant.

For more information on best practices for identity theft protection, visit www.hvshred.com

Environmental Stewardship Event in the Hudson Valley

Posted on by Judith

Among our goals at HV Shred is to promote citizenship and environmental stewardship in the Hudson Valley.

We encourage anyone who can make it to attend “SOLID WASTE: a conference for county and municipal leaders and concerned citizens” being presented by the League of Women Voters of the Mid-Hudson Region on Wednesday, November 16, from 3 – 6 pm at the Student Union at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz.

The event, co-sponsored by SUNY’s CRREO (Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach) and Hudson Valley Smart Growth Alliance, is designed to help Dutchess and Ulster Counties learn more about the requirements and technological and funding options for dealing with waste in future decades.

Both counties are facing debt, rising deficits, and capital needs at their current facilities, and both are writing state-required solid waste management plans for the next two decades. Speakers include Professor Gerald Benjamin, Director of CRREO and Associate Vice President for Regional Engagement, SUNY; David Vitale, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC); Tim Rose, Executive Director, Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency; William Calogero, Executive Director, Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency; John Valk, Supervisor, Town of Shawangunk; Steve Changaris, Regional Manager, National Solid Wastes Management Association; William Rabbia, Executive Director, Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority; and Jonathan Drapkin, CEO, Patttern for Progress.

Attendees should register at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LWVSolidWaste. The event is free, except for a $2 parking fee, and refreshments are included.

The event is endorsed by the Dutchess and Ulster County Associations of Town Supervisors and Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress. It has funding support from Mid-Hudson Geosciences and Jansen Engineering, PLLC, and other support from AAUW Kingston, Hudson Valley Regional Council, and Vassar Greens

For more information about this and other local League activities visit www.lwvmidhudson.org or contact Dare Thompson, President, 845-236-3074, darethompson@gmail.com

For secure and environmentally friendly document disposal, please visit www.hvshred.com

The Hudson Valley Recycles!

Posted on by Judith

Thanks to the great support for our year’s recycling events.

As chair of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Living Green Committee, I am thrilled to share that we recycled over 26 tons of electronic waste in our 2 day event back in October. That included a full 30 foot trailer and 2 box trucks filled with over 500 televisions and computer monitors as well as pallets and pallets of printers, keyboards, and all manner of obsolete electronic equipment. We’ll be scheduling another event in the spring, so stayed tuned.

When it comes to our Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union Shred Events, we finished off our last event at the Brewster Branch this past Friday and estimate our year’s total at nearly 30 tons. That’s over 400 trees saved and 75 cubic yards of landfill. We’ll have the 2012 schedule posted shortly–so keep checking the website for next year’s dates.

Great work Hudson Valley! HV Shred is proud to call you neighbors and love being able to say we were born, raised, and continue to make the Hudson Valley our home.

For more information about securely disposing of your obsolete paperwork or electronic equipment, visit www.hvshred.com

Protect Yourself Against New Phishing Scams

Posted on by Judith

American Bankers Association has issued a new warning to highlight increases in phishing scams linked to consumer bank accounts.

According to the ABA, phishing schemes that aim to gather credit and debit details from consumers are on the rise. The crux of most scams: Misinforming consumers about closure of or trouble with their bank accounts, a lure to consumer replies from the socially engineered scam.

Last week’s smishing attack, which targeted thousands of Wells Fargo customers by sending out a flood of phony text messages to mobile numbers in Oregon, is a prime example. The scam, feigning to come from Wells, attempted to get mobile recipients to respond with bank details related to their Wells accounts.

Authorities say consumers were receiving phishy text message that asked accountholder to call specified numbers to resolve possible compromises of their bank accounts. The smishing attacks included the last four digits of the user’s debit card, which made the text messages appear legitimate.

The ABA says these types of schemes are common. In some cases, consumers are even asked to text or e-mail card expiration dates and CV security codes.

“Those who respond to these inquiries run the potential risk of having their information used to fraudulently purchase goods and services, or to obtain credit,” the ABA says.

To avoid fraud:
(1) Never give out personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited phone call, fax, e-mail or text.
(2) Contact the bank to confirm the legitimacy of any e-mail that asks for the submission of personal or banking account information.
(3) Check credit card and bank account statements regularly for unauthorized transactions, even small ones.
(4) Make sure websites are secure when submitting financial information online. Check for padlocks or key icons at the bottoms of Internet browsers. Most secure Web addresses also use “https.”
(5)Report suspicious activity to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center. http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
(6)Contact your bank immediately if a phishy link may have been clicked or a suspicious communication responded to.

For more identity theft resources, visit www.hvshred.com

Celebrating Local Businesses in the Hudson Valley

Posted on by Judith

HV Shred is proud to be among this year’s honorees at the 2011 Dutches County Economic Development Corporation Business Excellence Awards. We thank the community for its support helping us to earn the nod in the Entrepreneur Category.

It is an amazing feeling to share the stage with such distinguished companies as Health Quest, Mavada Farms, Hudson Valley Clean Energy, Dorsey Metrology, Karma Lounge, Astor Services for Children and Family, Niche Modern Lighting, and Art Along the Hudson.

Even in these difficult economic times, it is great to have an opportunity to celebrate each other and keep pushing the ball up the hill towards better times.

We hope many of our clients will be there in person so we can publicly thank them for helping us reach this landmark.

We love being the Hudson Valley’s on-site mobile document shredding service and aim to keep improving and gaining ground in the years to come.

Always enthusiastic about entertaining new opportunities, please contact us at hvshred.com

Electronic Recycling Event This Weekend!

Posted on by Judith

As the chair of the Dutchess Chamber’s Green Committee, I want to remind one and all that the opportunity to safely and securely dispose of your electronic waste is fast approaching. The event runs noon-4pm this upcomng Friday, October 14th and Saturday, October 15th at the Hudson Valley Marketplace 130 Salt Point Turnpike in Poughkeepsie.

Friday is specifically for businesses and they must contact Bob Travers to pre-register and complete the necessary paperwork btravers@advancedrecovery.com

Saturday is open to households with a suggested donation of $5 per carload. Proceeds benefit The Chamber Foundation.

Here is the opportunity to recycle unwanted monitors, printers, keyboards, VCR’s, batteries, cell phones, terminals, cables, fax machines, radios, modems, CRT’s, telephones, TV’s, CPU’s, copiers, typewriters and stereo equipment.

A big thank you to Central Hudson and Advanced Recovery for their support.

For more information, visit www.hvshred.com