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    Articles
    Jun 11 2021

    Digital Desperadoes: Online identity theft still a major problem

    Identity theft results in billions of dollars in financial losses each year, through assaults at both the consumer and corporate levels. It is a highly sophisticated crime using cutting-edge technology in pursuit of a very simple goal – finding a way in.

    Cyber criminals began chasing this goal in earnest with SPAM, those annoying, unsolicited ads that deploy by the millions. In some cases, these ads were merely cover for the cyber-criminal just waiting for someone to click on the bogus offer and provide an open gate into their machine.

    Over time, SPAM has given way to much more clever devices such as phishing which is email and text notices that are personalized to look like a legitimate email or notice from a service provider. Criminals have gotten so good at these tactics it’s even hard for experts to tell them apart from the real thing with the naked eye.

    Sometimes your environment is what gives crooks the opening they are looking for. Public and open WiFi networks, such as what you’d find in a public library or coffee shop, are particularly risky. As everyone is logged into the same system, it makes it easier for criminals to maneuver and attempt to infiltrate among various users, looking for a way in.

    In its Identity Theft Facts & Statistics 2019-2021 report, vpncompass.com noted while the number of fraud incidents declined annually between 2018 and 2020, that still equates to 13 million fraud incidents in 2019 alone. And criminals have made the most of those opportunities, with fraud losses spiking 13 percent between 2018 and 2019, when losses totaled just under $17 billion, $3.5 billion of which came directly out of consumers’ accounts.

    In pandemic-riddled 2020, identity theft was hitting on all cylinders according to information compiled by the Insurance Information Institute. Identity theft and fraud reports reached 4.8 million, up 45 percent over 2019. Identity theft alone comprised about 29 percent of that total, a 113 percent increase over the previous year. In 2020 the top types of identity theft involved government benefits and new credit card accounts.

    Yet with so much of our lives happening online – from dentist appointments to paycheck deposits – going off the grid simply isn’t an option. What's a consumer to do? Check out the following recommendations for keeping your personal information safe, for starters.

    GET CREATIVE WITH PASSWORDSYour mother’s maiden name or your pet’s name isn’t particularly hard to uncover, especially if you’re on social media a lot. Spend the time to make a complex, unique password that includes character symbols and numbers. Multi-factor authentication, which adds a layer of security by requiring answers to personal questions or scans your fingerprint or retina, is also a good idea. And, most importantly, use a password manager to help to remember what you came up with!

    PROTECT YOUR DEVICESMake sure that your anti-virus and anti-malware software is up to date and don’t forget to make sure your smartphone is similarly protected. When selecting an internet service provider, be sure to do your homework on included security software, such as Kinetic Secure which provides the latest protection against malware and other intrusions.

    DON’T OVERLOOK OLD SCHOOLThere are plenty of analog options for stealing someone’s identity. Writing down passwords, having paper bills mailed to your home, carrying a social security card or losing a credit card all give criminals an opportunity to do harm. Take advantage of online billing and shop around for credit cards that allow you to lock them from an app should they get lost.

    DSL Promo Price: Customer will receive highest bandwidth DSL service that Kinetic can then provide at the address for $44.99/mo. for twelve (12) months with AutoPay; customer will see a line-item charge for DSL at $59.99/mo., a $5.00/mo. AutoPay credit, and a $10.00/mo. Promo Credit on their bill each month. Register for AutoPay though the Go Kinetic Portal[www.windstream.com/gokinetic] or by calling a service representative at 877-807-9463. If customer is not registered for AutoPay, customer will be charged $49.99/mo. without the AutoPay credit. After the advertised rate period, DSL service will be charged the then current DSL rate for continued service and future rate increases may be applied. Customer may cancel at any time. Home Phone service not included in price. Customer is responsible for payment of applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges, as these are not included in promotional or standard rates. Additional restrictions may apply.

    Kinetic by Windstream: Limited-time, non-transferable offer for residential customers that may not be combined with other promotions. Credit restrictions may apply. Subject to availability, Windstream Terms and Conditions, and Windstream Acceptable Use Policy.

    Kinetic Internet: Kinetic cannot guarantee upload or download speeds or uninterrupted, error-free service. Speed availability, capabilities, and provisioning vary depending on several factors: network and terrain conditions; Internet, website, or network congestion; effect of wi-fi use; number of concurrent users; device limitations; and customer location. Speeds 25 Mbps and above may be provisioned in a range including a minimum and maximum speed. Kinetic will provision customer’s location for the fastest speed within the available range, but may be less than the maximum.

    Kinetic Gig Speed Fiber: Kinetic Gig Speed Fiber has up to 1 Gig upload speed, which is more than 25x faster upload speed than the best advertised 1 Gig cable internet speed, which has 30-35 Mbps upload speed as of June 2024.

    99.9% Network Reliability: Kinetic Network Reliability based on monthly service availability scores from March 2023 to March 2024 as measured by the Windstream Network Operations Center using the formula Available Customer Hours divided by Total Customer Hours (Available Customer Hours plus Customer Outage Hours). Customer Outage Hours does not include planned maintenance, emergency events (hurricanes, winter storms, mass flooding, etc.)

    Equipment: Monthly equipment fees may apply. Kinetic-provided modems are capable of in-home wireless networking but connected devices may experience speeds slower than advertised or referenced in your Internet plan. Modem equipment must be returned upon termination, and if not, Windstream reserves the right to charge for the modem or a $100 fee.

    Whole Home Wi-Fi Set Up: Whole Home Wi-Fi installation involves Kinetic connect the Kinetic Gateway (modem), Wi-Fi extenders (as needed), & Wi-Fi capable devices to the home's network.

    Whole Home Wi-Fi: After the first month, the standard rate for Kinetic Wi-Fi Gateway is $10.99/month. Kinetic Fiber customers may receive up to 3 Kinetic Wi-Fi Extenders for $4.99/month. Kinetic DSL customers may receive up to 3 Kinetic Wi-Fi $10.99/month. Each additional Kinetic Wi-Fi Extender is $10.99/month. Taxes, fees, and surcharges are applicable. Other restrictions may apply. An Internet Activation fee and a Professional Installation fee may apply. At the time of installation, Kinetic Wi-Fi Gateway will be configured to provided the fastest connection then available; individual device connections speeds will vary due to a number of factors including, but not limited to; number of concurrent users and device limitations.

    *Reward Card Offer: Value of Reward Card varies based on broadband speed selected; not all broadband speeds qualify for a Reward Card: $100 for 1 Gig Service, and $200 for 2 Gig and up Service.

    Kinetic Reward Prepaid Mastercard: After eligibility has been confirmed by Kinetic, which is determined in Kinetic's sole discretion, customers will receive a redemption email and can choose immediate electronic delivery or a physical card by mail. If physical card delivery is selected, a $3 shipping and handling fee will be deducted from the amount of the card and the card will ship within 5-7 business days. There is a maximum of one prepaid card per household. Use your card anywhere Mastercard is accepted in the U.S. This card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. The Bancorp Bank, N.A.; Member FDIC. This is not a gift card. This card is issued for loyalty, award or promotional purposes.

    Installation/Activation: An Internet Activation fee may apply. Professional Installation may be covered under this fee.

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