3 Tips For Protecting Your Online Identity

We live in a very tech-savvy age, with both the young and elderly having constant access to the internet one way or another. While instant access to information has brought the world closer together than ever before, using these online tools comes with its own set of dangers.

As you browse the web using your search engine account, scroll through updates on Facebook or Twitter or “Like” photos on Instagram, your personal information is being accessed.

However, there are ways to protect your online identity as you continue to enjoy these online platforms. Here’s how:

1. Start with a Strong Password

Your first line of defense against internet predators is your password. Having a strong password helps to keep hackers at bay so they are unable to log in to your account and access your personal information; information which may include your full legal name, address, phone number, credit card details or even social security number. This is true for all of your online accounts, from social media to online banking and more. Here are some tips for your password:

• Keep it longer
• Mix letters, numbers and symbols
• Do not use any identifying information, like your birthday
• Use a different password for each account

2. Check Your Privacy Settings

Once you have a strong password set, log in to your account and check your privacy settings. Social media accounts usually give you control over who can view the information you are posting on your account. This helps prevent people you do not know accessing your personal information on your profile. Parents, if you have a child on social media, sit down with them to discuss their privacy settings. Log in to their account together and set them up to keep them safe.

3. Know HTTP vs. HTTPS

To keep your online identity safe across all avenues of the internet, check the site’s address. If you notice that it starts with “HTTP”, do NOT go to the website. This does not necessarily indicate that your personal information will be at risk or stolen, but the website is not as safe as one that begins with “HTTPS.” “HTTPS” is secure, so you will be less at risk of picking up a virus that could grant someone access to your information.

Keep Yourself, and Your Family, Safe

Especially with mobile devices, keeping your personal information safe is critically important. We have instant access to applications and web pages that are consistently pulling our information. Be sure to choose apps that value your privacy, like Virtual Halo, so you can browse and play safely. Virtual Halo is available for download here.

The Perfect Christmas Present For Your Delivery Driver

It’s that time of year again! The time when everyone is rushing out last minute gifts, shipping the latest must-have items to friends and family and sending off wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

But while you are wrapping your presents and sealing those envelopes, be sure to keep your delivery driver in mind. They can visit hundreds of addresses in a single day, which may put them in less-traveled areas they may or may not be as familiar with. While they travel their route, they could also be putting their safety at risk.

So here is why Virtual Halo is the perfect Christmas present for your delivery driver:

Their Loved Ones Know Where They Are

This time of year we all have our friends and loved ones at the forefront of our minds, this is especially true for the families of delivery drivers. As they make their deliveries, Virtual Halo lets them check in with their loved ones to let them know they are safe. The app is designed to allow them to check in, telling their loved ones they are okay, or send them a note when they have arrived to designated locations. This way, if they are late returning to the office or home, they have instant access to a quick and easy way to let their loved ones know.

They Can Get Help When They Need It

With its instant SOS notification feature, Virtual Halo is a personal safety app that gives the delivery driver access to help when they need it. If they encounter a dangerous situation, they can use the app to send an SOS alert to their loved ones and let them know they need help. The app will send their loved ones a notification in addition to their last known GPS location. This way, they can call for help, and it will quickly be on its way.

Keeping Families Safe

Ultimately, when you gift your delivery driver with the Virtual Halo app for their phone, you are giving them the gift of safety, and their loved ones the gift of peace of mind. They will always have access to help if they need it, and they will always be connected with their loved ones. This is just one small way Virtual Halo is working to keep families connected and safe this Holiday season.

My Group Is Gone! Use This To Alert Them

Group outings can be extremely fun, but for the safety-conscious they can also be a significant source of stress or anxiety. At Virtual Halo, we value your safety, and your sanity, so we have developed a solution that will keep you and your entire group safe, sound and connected no matter where you go. That way if a member of your group scampers off into the unknown on an adventure of their own, you will know how to find them and they will always have a way to get back to you.

Here is how you can stay alert when you are in a group with Virtual Halo:

More Than Just a Personal Safety App

Virtual Halo was designed with adventurers and thrill-seekers in mind, but with all of the features this personal safety app offers, it has become much more than that. The app is now used by travelers, employees, mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, friends… the list goes on!

With features like SOS, Check-In, Going Out and I’m OK, the app has opened up a whole new world of safety. So when it comes to going out with friends or family in a group, making sure you each have the app installed is a vital part of staying together.

Alert Your Group (When You Need To)

When you have Virtual Halo installed, you get to select your own list of emergency contacts. These contacts are the ones that will be notified in the event of an emergency, or if you happen to venture a little too far when you go off on your solo adventuring. You can alert the group with a quick SOS if you are in trouble, or send them an I’m OK so they do not need to worry.

The best part? Only the contacts you approve of will have access to your location information. That means you do not have to worry about the eyes of Big Brother or other unauthorized access to your personal privacy. When you need help, the app will send your most recent GPS location to your emergency contacts, but it will never grant access to your information unnecessarily.

Download the App and Stay Connected

Before your next group outing, be sure to have everyone download Virtual Halo to their smartphones and Apple Watches. This way, you can set each other as emergency contacts and if someone wanders off, you can all get back together again, safely.

How To Protect Your Clients' Privacy

As technology continues to advance, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to keep personal and client information confidential. As you take advantage of the software, programs and other tech tools available to keep your client data organized, it is critical to ensure you are also keeping this data safe.

Here are five steps to protect your clients’ information and privacy:

1. Start with Layers of Protection
   Your first line of defense starts with walls of protection. Not literal walls, of course, but firewalls. By adding firewalls and anti-virus software to your servers and computers, you are setting up layers of protection against cyber threats like viruses, Trojans and other harmful coding that could potentially break into your client data.
    
2. Always Encrypt Your Data
   Then, once you have added your protective layers, focus specifically on the data itself. Always encrypt your data to require a pin or password to access the programs, files or other locations where client information is accessible. This way, the only way to get into the information is by knowing the encryption code. Consider 2-step authentication when possible.
    
3. Keep Access Restricted
   Limit who knows the encryption code to those within your business, and then restrict it even further to only those who actually need access to the information. By doing this, you are keeping the information available only on a need-to- know basis, which helps keep your clients’ privacy protected.
    
4. Have a Plan
   Once you have everything in place, your client data should be well protected; however, you should always be prepared in the event of a breach. Know what you are going to do if a breach happens so you can alert your employees and the clients affected. This is critical for the clients to be informed in order for them to take the steps necessary to monitor their personal information.
    
5. Plan Ahead and Be Prepared
   Ultimately, when it comes to protecting your clients’ privacy you want to be as prepared as you possibly can be to stop a breach from happening in the first place. A good rule of thumb is to research any programs or applications you plan to use before installing or using them to make sure they have the layers of protection you need to keep the data safe. Learn how Virtual Halo is dedicated to keeping personal information secure by contacting our representatives.

Virtual Halo is always looking an ways we can strengthen the encryption and security of our clients data. Because it's smart, because it's right and because that's what our clients want. Personal safety, protection and peace of mind.

How To Turn Your iPhone & Apple Watch Into Intuitive Life Savers

What’s the one thing you always carry with you no matter where you go?

Your phone.

Basically like a mini computer, these handheld devices are used for more than just making phone calls. They can grant you access to the internet, send a message across the world in a matter of seconds, and now - they can be used to send an instant SOS.

Here’s how you can turn your Apple into an intuitive life saver:

Step One: Download the Virtual Halo App

Start by visiting the app store and searching for Virtual Halo, your new personal safety app for students, travelers, adventurers and anyone on the go. From there, download the app to your phone and Apple Watch. When you open the app for the first time, you will be prompted to sign in or create an account. Follow the on-screen instructions to get the app set up to where getting help is as simple as the push of a button.

Step Two: Stay Safe with Reactive and Pro-active Features

Once the app is set up, getting help is as easy as one-two- three. Within your account, you should have an emergency contact list. The app will send your SOS message along with your last known GPS coordinates whenever you send an alert for help. When you don’t need it, the app will still be running in the background (without granting anyone visibility to your location without your permission), so you can enjoy the thrill of adventure without worrying about Big Brother.

Step Three: Get Help When You Need It

With SOS, Check-in, Going Out and I’m OK features, you can go adventuring more comfortably knowing you have access to help when you need it. Virtual Halo has been designed with virtually everyone in mind, from children to traveling businessmen, and its features allow customization to work for everyone. Keep your emergency contacts in-the- know, or reserve the app for a quick SOS only when you need to. No matter how you use it, Virtual Halo turns your iPhone and Apple Watch into intuitive life savers.