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Archive: Jul 2019

Tips for Creating a Secure Password

The safest passwords are the ones you can never remember. But what makes a password strong? What combination of characters can keep your information secure? What combination of characters can keep your information secure?

Whether you want your email and social media passwords to be harder to guess or you need your company’s data and information to be even more protected, try these to create the strongest passwords possible.

  1. Create a password that’s a least eight character long. The longer it is, the more secure it is.
  2. Don’t use personal information. You’ve seen all the movies, so you know that when a hacker is trying to gain access to someone’s accounts, they start with the most basic options. Avoid names, birth dates, anniversaries, initials, etc.
  3. Don’t use simple words or phrases. If any of your passwords are things like “password,” “1224,” or “abcd, ” your information isn’t as secure as it should be.
  4. Don’t use words that can be found in the dictionary. If it’s a real word, it’s easier for hackers to guess.
  5. Use a combination of letters numbers, and symbols. Let’s say your password is eight characters. If it is just letters, just numbers or just symbols, it’s unlikely that someone correctly. But, if your password is eight characters which include numbers, symbols, and mixed case letters, there are 30,000 times as many possible combinations – which makes your password much harder to decipher.
  6. Create acronyms from information. To incorporate letters, numbers and symbols, make an acronym from a piece of information that’s easy to remember. For example, if you started your job on March 3, 2014, a potential password could be, “MwaiM32014!” to represent, “my work anniversary is March 3, 2014.”
  7. Use a different password for every account. Most people use the same password for every account they access, simply because it’s easy to remember. But, what happens if someone realizes what password you’re using? Suddenly, they know how to log in to all of your accounts and access all of your secure information.
  8. If you change your passwords regularly, make them significantly different. If you’re updating your password, make sure it’s a different variation from what you used before.
  9. Don’t share your passwords or leave them on notes out in the open. When you’re changing your passwords regularly and using unique ones for every account, they can be hard to remember. It can be tempting to jot them down on a sticky note next to your computer. But if you’re in the office on your computer in a public place, it’s easier for people walking by to compromise your accounts.
  10. Consider a password manager. With as many accounts we have to have logins for, finding a way to remember and keep track of all the passwords can be overwhelming. A password manager is a great tool to store all of your passwords where you only have to remember one password – the password to login, and you have a secure place to store all the other passwords you use.

Life Insurance 101

When someone in your immediate family dies, the emotional toll can be almost unbearable. And the financial toll can make it even worse.

Today, one-third of all families would be impacted by the loss of their primary wage earner in just one month – meaning the effect would be almost instantaneous. But luckily, there’s a way to make sure your family has all they need to move on without you. And while it may seem too soon to start thinking about the unthinkable, it’s never too soon to start living with peace of mind – the peach of mind that comes from knowing your family will be taken care of.

What is life insurance?

In the simplest terms, life insurance is a way to plan for your family after you die. It’s a contract with an insurance company, in which you pay a premium, and in exchange, they agree to pay your family a set amount upon your death.

Why do I need life insurance?

Life insurance can cover your medical, funeral and burial expenses. It can pay off any outstanding debts you may have. It can replace your income so your family doesn’t experience any financial stress. And it can help them pursue their dreams even after you’re gone – college, open a business, buying a house. It can help them do all of the things you planned to take care of.

Are there different types of life insurance?

Yes. You can be covered by term or whole life insurance, or you may be offered life insurance through your employer.

What is term life insurance?

Term life insurance gives you protection for a specific amount of time. You can choose to have coverage for a term of 10, 20, or 30 years.

What is whole life insurance?

As the name implies, whole life insurance is life insurance coverage that lasts for your whole life – starting on the day you purchase a policy.

I have life insurance through my work, is that enough?

In some cases, yes. In other cases, no. If you need more life insurance coverage than your employer s able to provide, you may want supplemental protection to make sure your family has all they need to face the future without you.

How much life insurance do I need?

The amount of life insurance needed will vary from person to person. Professional financial planners estimate that you should have between seven and ten times your income as a rule of thumb. But, ultimately, it depends on the amount of money you’d like your family to receive in the event of our passing.

Is life insurance expensive?

Life insurance is much more affordable than most people think. On average, coverage can cost between $30 to $60 a month.

When should I start considering life insurance?

It’s never too soon. Even if no one is financially dependent on you right now, if you’re young, healthy and have a good family health history, you could be rewarded with the best rates. But if you wait, and then find yourself affected by an illness or disease, you won’t be eligible for life insurance for quite some time, possibly never. That’s why it makes sense to make the decision early, so you can live with one less worry.

Who should I talk to about life insurance?

Us! We can get to know you and your needs, and we can help determine the type and the amount that’s right for you. To start a conversation about life insurance, give us a call today!

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