It’s a big digital world out there, and it can be scary. But it doesn’t have to be. Arm yourself with the knowledge to protect yourself and be proactive. Online safety is in your hands.

Keeping Your Device Secure

Have you ever lost your phone or iPad? Whether it was just for five minutes or it completely disappeared, you know that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. It’s not fun.

Fortunately, manufacturers have set-up their devices to keep your information safe, but it’s up to you to take the time to set up device security.

The most important thing you can do to help ensure your phone is secure is setting up a passcode. While the idea of having to enter a passcode seems like a bother, the physical reality is that we are talking fractions of a second to enter the password.

These days you must deliberately ignore several warnings to get out of setting a passcode. The system software tells you in no uncertain terms that you need to think hard a few times if you are going to refuse to set a passcode.

In the Passcode setup process, you will be prompted to set-up a six-digit numeric code. For iPhones, there is the option to switch to four-digits, or to use a custom numeric or alphanumeric code. Security researchers all say the longer the passcode, the better.

During the passcode setup, make sure you enable the option to erase the device after ten failed passcode attempts. Don’t let the fear of forgetting your passcode deter you from using one. After a week or less it becomes second nature.

In case you have any issues, there will be numerous times to remember your passcode as the software forces you to wait a minute, three minutes, fifteen minutes, an hour, etc. after erroneous entry before the phone erases itself.

Make Sure You Have Automatic Backups Turned On

Should the phone wipe itself, you will be able to restore it with an iCloud or iTunes backup. Which is why you need to have your automatic back-ups turned on.

If you have a generation 5S iPhone or later you can also set up Touch ID, or if you have an iPhone X, Face ID. Biometrics offer an alternative to inputting the passcode to unlock your device, log in to or purchase apps, and use Apple Pay. They are both easy to set up within the passcode section of Settings.

Passcodes and Remote Tracking Increase Security

Having a passcode on your phone significantly increases the security of your device. Not only does it help keep out people who shouldn’t be on your phone, but it also allows you a measure of control if it is ever lost or stolen.

In conjunction with securing your device with a passcode, many providers offer remote tracking that allows you to see the location of the device, remotely lock it, wipe it, and even post a phone number to assist with its recovery.

Apple has the “Find My Phone” app that makes it easy to track down if you have the setting turned on. To use it open Settings>AppleID>iCloud>Find My iPhone. Enable location tracking, as well as “Send Last Location.”

With these settings turned on, you can log into your iCloud account on a Mac or PC or use the “Find My Phone” app on another iPhone or iPad, to see where your device is on a map. If the battery died, it would provide the last location before the phone went offline, if it had an active internet connection.

Finding a Lost Phone

If you can’t locate the device, the following options are available:

Play a Sound

If the device is near you, but you don’t see it, you can have it play a sound to help you track it down.

Lost Mode

If you can’t find the device, you can turn on Lost Mode and lock it with your passcode, as well as add a message on the lock screen with your phone number in case someone finds it.

Erase

If you believe your phone is irretrievable, you can erase it. Keep in mind if you do this you will not be able to track the phone. If you do find it, you can restore the phone with your last backup without any problem.

Google and Apple also offer two-factor authentication to boost security. With Two-Factor Authentication, after you sign in on a new device, you are required to enter a 6-digit code sent via text, an app, or email.

Two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security in case someone is trying to log into your account from a different location.

Email Safety Best Practices

Hackers have discovered creative and deceptive ways to wreak havoc with email. Following simple guidelines to protect your account and private information will keep your account safe.

Protect Sensitive Information

First and foremost, never send sensitive information like credit card numbers, passwords, or your Social Security Number in an email, or attached in a document to an email.

This applies to tax documents, credit card authorization forms and the like. Use file encryption services or text using services that are encrypted (Apple Messages, Viber, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram).

Choose a Trusted Email Provider

Use email providers that are reputable and have a good track record with security and encryption services, such as Google’s Gmail.

Securing Your Account

While using a unique, 12+ character password will help keep hackers out of your account, it is best to add another layer of security to your email with two-factor authentication, as discussed above.

Attachments and Links

Email attachments and links can leave you open to being hacked, or infect your computer with malware, spyware or viruses. Be cautious about opening attachments from others. It’s generally safest not to open any attachment you were not expecting, or that is out of the ordinary.
Never click on a link from a vendor or service that says you need to change account information. Go directly to the website, log into your account or find a customer service number to inquire if there are problems with your account.

In addition to these tips, be aware of telephone scams and pay attention to media reports of breaches in security for companies. Remember you are responsible for your online safety.

Have you ever had any scary security issues? Have you clicked on a link in an email you shouldn’t have, or answered a telephone call and given out private info? Tell us your story, good or bad, to help others learn from your experience.

Stephanie Hollman’s Yellow Printed Shorts on Instagram

Real Housewives of Dallas Instagram Fashion 2020

According to Instagram Stephanie Hollman celebrated her 40th(!) birthday over the weekend by having a relaxing getaway with Travis to a remote, $1,800 a night before taxes (yes I looked it up) luxury resort on the Utah/Arizona border called Amangiri. Which we have a feeling we’ll never be able to afford to stay at if she keeps tempting us to buy her cute clothes like these yellow printed shorts, which needless to say totally get a five star rating from us. ★★★★★

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Bronx and Banco Shorts

Click Here to Shop Them in Red

Photo: @StephHollman

Originally posted at: Stephanie Hollman’s Yellow Printed Shorts

Medicare, in any given “normal” year, is confusing.

2020 has brought about so much, and we are only nearing the half-way mark. At our firm we never could we have imagined that we would be seeing so many people struggling with rather unexpected Medicare decisions due to a virus called Covid-19.

In a normal year, people turn 65 on a daily basis. Generally, they retire in a systematic and pre-planned way, and everyone is more or less prepared.

But this year? Yes, we see the typical turning-65 crowd with their retirement plans upcoming, but we are also seeing a new wave of people displaced due to job layoffs, furloughs, and more.

And, beyond that, there are so many people affected by Covid-19 who are just tired, frustrated, fearful, and ready to “hang it up.” Thus, they retire. And most will need some assistance with Medicare.

Medicare’s Health Insurance System Can Be a Stressful Topic

When most people in the US retire, they need to transition into the Medicare health insurance system in some way, shape, or form. It is often a very stressful time.

So many people have had their health insurance coverage through their workplace for years. They often made an annual election of coverage from their employer for the new calendar year, but it was a rather simple decision, such as, “Would you like door #1 or door #2 for your coverage next year?”

Choice made; all enrolled. Typically, not much changed, and if they didn’t care for the coverage in any given year, the next enrollment period would roll around where they could fix things.

Enter the Medicare system. From the time a person enters the ring, there is a barrage of fliers, solicitation phone calls, confusion, input from friends, family, and others that tell you exactly what you have to do.

What does this create? Stress, confusion, frustration, irritation. All factors that can result in mistakes.

Let’s talk about some ways to keep your sanity in regular – and Covid infused – Medicare times.

Proceed as Planned

If you were planning to retire in the summer of 2020, just keep on pace. However, many people that are retiring now are over age 65, and they have been enrolled into Medicare’s Part A coverage (which is hospital coverage) for several years.

Typically, when these pre-retirees come to us for help enrolling into Medicare’s Part B (the medical coverage that they now need), we would send them to their local Social Security Administration office with their proper forms in hand to then enroll into Part B.

Well, Covid-19 closed the offices! So, we’ve adapted to the online methodology to enroll into Part B. It’s worked rather well, but you have to know how to accomplish things a bit differently these days. A good agent can help you cut through the clutter and be more efficient.

Reassess Your Plans

We certainly aren’t taking on the role of your financial advisor or counselor. However, we are often finding that many people who were able (but didn’t want) to retire pre-Covid now “have to” retire in the present situation – and they are actually enjoying it. It wasn’t planned, but they are adapting to the concept.

Some are using the unplanned retirement situation as a means to get to another career, spend time virtually with grandkids, make travel plans for down the road, etc.

Understand how Cobra and Medicare Work – or Don’t Work

Some new retirees did not plan at all to be retirees, and they don’t want to be in this current situation.

The danger in these cases is that the person is over 65 years old, is suddenly unemployed, and now needs health insurance for this temporary condition.

This is where a lot of people make the mistake of enrolling into Cobra insurance coverage without discussing with a professional how Medicare interacts with Cobra.

So what is Cobra? Cobra is health insurance coverage that is provided by your employer for an extended period after you stop working for them. It will typically last for 18 months.

Very often, a person in this situation, who wants to find a new job, will decide to enroll into the Cobra insurance coverage without understanding the implications that this brings when they are over age 65.

For a person past that age, who is enrolled into Cobra coverage, Medicare technically becomes the primary payer for medical claims. Unfortunately, the person doesn’t know that and does NOT enroll into Medicare which technically means they have no primary insurance coverage.

The greatest problem with Cobra is that it looks, feels, and acts just like the “old employer’s coverage” so the person retains it until they find another job with benefits.

We caution people in this situation to not plan to go back and forth between Medicare health insurance coverage and employer health insurance. Medicare was not designed to be “temporary” coverage. Not that it can’t be used as such, but you can experience major headaches trying to do it.

Slow Down Your Medicare Enrollment Decisions

If you are suddenly faced with an induced retirement that you didn’t plan, you may turn to make rather harried and fast decisions about health insurance coverage that you may come to regret.

Though difficult, it’s much more rewarding to find a way to slow down and take a few dedicated hours to learn about your new health insurance options.

If you grab the easiest and cheapest product out there, you may suffer some of the longer-term Medicare mistakes that many people make. Taking the time to understand the two product paths that you may take beyond Original Medicare can be a life saver down the road.

Find a good agent that can explain to you how the entire system works, and try not to give a knee-jerk reaction to get the insurance decisions “off your plate” during a stressful time.

Do-overs Can Be Your Lucky Charm

Medicare has many timelines. Because Covid-19 happens to be impacting so many people during the summer months, the timing can be on your side.

For instance, let’s say you are setting up your Medicare coverage plus a supplementing product for August 1, 2020. You didn’t plan to retire, so you rush to make a decision and be done with it.

“Phew, I put that to rest,” you say to yourself.

But, you do some belated investigating in September and have buyer’s remorse by October.

Well, since the Annual Election Period is October 15 – December 7 of each year, you have the opportunity to change your plan and also preserve your Open Enrollment period (the period that protects those with pre-existing conditions) related to Medigap products.

Note: This year would be the only year where a mistake can be undone, so keep that in mind.

Covid-19 has caused anguish to many people and industries. Insurance was not spared. But, rest assured, we will all adapt and find new ways to accomplish the same results. We are here to guide you through that important transition to the Medicare world.

And you’ll be OK.

How has Covid-19 affected your retirement plans? Did you have to make a Medicare decision because of the present Covid situation? Did you rush with your decision or did you do some research before committing? Please share your experience with our community!

Dorit Kemsley’s Fendi Logo Pajamas and Mask on Instagram

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills 2020 Instagram Fashion

This past Sunday Dorit Kemsley woke up in silk Fendi logo pajamas to cook some breakfast with her family and took to Instagram to share it with the world. On the other hand I woke up wearing bright blue old over-sized t shirt with black polka dot shorts to place a Starbucks breakfast order with UberEats and shared it with no one.

Now one thing about me is I absolutely love matching pajama sets so seeing Dorit (and her kiddos) in these PJ’s gave me all the feels. There’s something about wearing matching lounge wear that makes me feel fancy and like I have my life together. Honestly one day when I win the lottery I have my affairs completely in order I imagine myself with strictly silk pajama sets and without an old t shirt in sight, just like I assume Dorit’s PJ drawer consists of. But for now its just a piped pajama dream.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here To Shop Her Fendi Logo Pajamas in Limited Stock

Click Here to Shop her Fendi Mask

Photo Credit: @doritkemsley

Originally posted at: Dorit Kemsley’s Fendi Logo Pajamas