Protect Yourself Against Phishing

If you're a busy person who's always on the go, you probably check your email on your phone. Gartner reports that almost 75% of smartphone owners use their devices to check their email. And if you're really on the go, you read your email quickly. In fact, Movable Ink's US Consumer Device Preference Report of 2014 via Email Monday states that most mobile users only spend about 10 seconds viewing each message. 10 seconds isn't a long time especially if you're multitasking. How many of you are guilty of reading your email while walking down the hall, sidewalk, or cafeteria?

Combine the quickness of our culture plus the growth of phishing, and you've got an increased risk for identity theft. Phishing (pronounced like fishing) is the activity of defrauding an online account holder of financial information by posing as a legitimate company.

According to a Google study, phishing emails work 45% of the time. Typically, these scams are obvious. The email will contain numerous spelling errors or words that are out of place. But sometimes, if you're not paying close enough attention, you'll be dangerously convinced into providing confidential information.

Take for instance this email I received a few weeks ago. It looks legitimate and there's even a recognizable logo. But, I knew I hadn't purchased anything from iTunes in several weeks, so this message alarmed me. Look at the third paragraph: "It was only sent to alert you in case you did not initiate the download yourself." I instantly panicked and thought someone else had my credit card information and was making purchases. This message made me stupidly reactionary. I followed the instructions on the rest of the message and before you know it, I was verifying payment details that had not in fact been compromised. I quickly realized my mistake but it was too late. I'd given these scammers confidential financial information. Thankfully my credit card company canceled my card and sent me a new one, but what if my gut instinct didn't set in? What if I was new to mobile email and didn't think twice?

Next time you see a suspicious email, slow down and think twice. If you're uncertain about the message; call the sender, speak to a customer service representative and verify the request asked.

The 8 worst mistakes people make while driving in the winter

Driving during the winter means facing all the standard roadway hazards, from distracted drivers to blind curves and damaged roadways, with the potential for adverse conditions added in.

According to the US Department of Transportation, approximately 1.2 million weather-related car crashes occur in the United States each year. Of those accidents, 18% happen when snow or sleet is falling, 16% take place on roadways already covered with snow or slush, and 13% occur on icy pavement.

To stay safe while on the road in winter, you have to be ready to slow down, give more following space, and have increased situational awareness. Before you get on the road, you need to make sure your vehicle is ready for the winter conditions you may be facing. 

Also, you need to allow extra time for your daily commute. Another DOT study found that light snowfall can reduce average driving speeds by up to 13%, while heavy snow can reduce speeds by as much as 40%.

Driving too fast for winter road conditions is the single biggest mistake you can make.

Driving at excessive speed is the greatest mistake you can make during the winter.

• Speed limits are established based on ideal driving conditions, so the poorer conditions created by winter weather require a reduction in speed.

• Make sure to increase your following distance on the road, as your stopping time will be much longer on snow or ice — even if you did take the precaution of driving more slowly.

On the other hand, driving too slowly in winter conditions is also a dangerous mistake.

During wintertime, overly slow driving can cause an accident just as easily as excessive speed.

• Moving slower than the pace of surrounding traffic can contribute to accordion-style chain reaction crashes because drivers coming up from behind may not recognize the difference in speed and adjust soon enough.

Driving with tires that lack proper tread depth for winter conditions puts you at risk of losing control of your vehicle.

Road traction is key for safe winter driving. Pay attention to your tires and how they make contact with the road.

• You need that depth to chew through loose snow and slush, while shallow tread depth can only nibble at it," he said. "Generally, your tires need about 5/32 of an inch or more of tread depth to handle winter weather.

• You can test for proper tread depth by inserting a penny between the treads, with President Lincoln's head facing inward. If you can see the top of his head, the tires lack sufficient tread depth.

Failing to thoroughly clean your vehicle of snow and ice limits your visibility and can make it harder for other drivers to see you.

You can't be fully aware of all situations around you if you can't see, so scrape off all the frosty windows, give time for them to defrost, and clear off all the snow.

Overconfidence in your all-wheel-drive vehicle can lead to spinouts and collisions.

When it comes time to stop or turn, the all-wheel-drive system does little to help you maintain control of the vehicle, and if your tires lose traction with the road, the system's capabilities mean nothing.

Don't use the brakes as the only defensive safety measure on wintry roads.

Instead of watching only the car ahead, look through and around that vehicle and know what is behind and beside your car.

• Focus on where you want to go rather than on what you need to avoid.

• Your hands and feet will naturally aim your vehicle where your eyes are focused, driving you around trouble rather than plowing into the back of it.

Skipping regular tire pressure checks can lead to tire failure and presents a major safety risk.

Improperly inflated tires make it much harder for you to maintain proper control of your car, especially in winter conditions. Tires lose pressure over time, shedding approximately 1 psi per month and 1 psi for every 10 degrees of temperature drop.