Hackers pervade the internet, searching for information that they use for illegal means.  Recently, a hacking ring froma foriegn country allegedly stole more than a billion user names and passwords, including more than 500 million email addresses.  New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman advises, "As law enforcement pursues those who are responsible for these breaches, it is important that consumers remain vigilant.  Taking a few key precautions can help you keep a step ahead of cybercriminals.  Here are some key recommendations from security experts on how to protect your data at DayClips and other important accounts.

Change your login information on a regular basis
     Theft of logins and password information is particularly troublesome because people often use the same sign-0n information for many of their accounts on the Internet.  Your most important accounts are ideally protected with strong passwoprds that have lower and uppercase letters, numbers and symbols.  Accounts that need special attention include your email account, bank account, credit card account, and PayPal account.  Also, many experts advise using a unique password for each account.

Vigilence
      Many security experts that you monitor your debit and credit card activity.  Make sure that activity on the account are ones you made. Monitor your DayClips account on a regular basis in the same way.   If changes on DayClips aren't ones that you made, close your account and open a new one.

Identity Theft
     Create an identity theft report if you suspect you're a victim of identy theft.  The Federal Trade Commission's website has a provision to complete a Identity Theft Affidavit.  Use this affidavit to file a police report.  The police report will assist you in dealing with credit reporting agencies, debt-collectors, and any other fraudulent accounts that were opened without your knowledge or consent.

Reporting
     It is helpful to report identity theft to any of the three major credit reporting agencies.  These include Equifax, Experian, and Transunion.  A fraud alert submitted to any one of the three credit reporting agencies is sufficient for notification to all of them.  Filing a fraud alert needs to be done promptly to initiate protection. Ask any one of these agencies to insert a fraud alert on your credit file.  A fraud alert notifies your credit card company and other creditors that you are susceptible to illegal activity.  Therefore, they may take extra precautions to verify suspicious activity on your credit accounts.  In addition, a fraud alert allows credit companies to more carefully screen requests for extension of credit or issuance of a new credit card on an existing account.

     A fraud alert should be renewed every 90 days.  Putting a freeze or hold on your credit report prevents potential creditors from accessing your credit information.  Credir reporting agencies typuically charge a small few for putting a hold on credit reporting.  However, doing so makes it less likely an identity thief can open accounts in your name.  After putting a hold on your credit report, request a free copy of your credit report and check it carefully for any fraudulent transactions.  Any fraudulent transactions need to be reported back to the businesses involved.

     At DayClips we go through great lengths to protect personal information.  However, hardly anything on the Internet is invincible from sophisticated hackers that seem to be constantly improving their abilities.  Even major businesses with elaborately designed websites are suscepible to hackers.  Most notably, retail giant Target was victimized by hackers originating in Eastern Europe.  Websites belonging to large and small companies as well as individuals may also be hacked.

DayClips Security
     DayClips uses advanced methods that include encrytion, SSL technology, and timeouts after periods of inactivity to protect our client accounts.  However, we at DayClips encourage our users to use common sense when it comes to personal data.  Do not write or store passwords electronically since it can be easily accessed or stolen.  Even the notepad from a cellphone or word processing document containing sensitive information may be accessed by a hacker.  Also, be especially careful about posting sensitive personal information on social interaction websites.  Avoid answering emails requesting your login credentials or security questions.

Insurance
     Even with the most technologically advanced appointment scheduling systems and the most vigilent risk management protocols, it is impossible to achieve 100% prevention. As a result, many service providers are purchasing cyberinsurance liability coverage.  Insurers such as Axis Insurance, ACE Group, AIG, Beazley, Chubb Group, C.N.A., Ironshore, OneBeacon Insurance Group, State Farm Insurance, and Travelers offer cyberinsurance coverage.

Data
     Avoid posting any sensitive information on your DayClips account that is not necessary for appointment scheduling.  For example, do not transmit medical information about yourself or others through DayClips; it is inly intended as a means of facilitating communications for appointment scheduling.  Following the guidelines desribed in this article will help protect your sensitive information and experience on the Internet.