by Jamie Zarlingo | Mar 23, 2023 | Uncategorized
Identity theft is a continual problem that affects millions of people each year. According to a study conducted by the Identity Theft Resource Center, there were 1,774 reported data breaches in the United States in 2022 alone, with a total of 300 million records exposed. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received over 5.7 million reports of identity theft and fraud in 2021, which represented an increase of 21% compared to the previous year. It is important for travelers to take steps to protect their personal information, such as using strong passwords, monitoring their credit reports, and being vigilant about potential scams and phishing attempts. If you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft, it is important to act quickly to minimize the damage and prevent further fraudulent activity.
A recent incident reported by the Texas Attorney General shows a Houston veterinarian who fell victim to identity theft when an employee at a bank sold his personal information to a ring of cyber criminals. The veterinarian had set up a $90,000 line of credit as an extra layer of financial protection and had never used his line of credit. One day the bank called him asking why he was behind on his first monthly payment of $86,000. Can you imagine the shock and disbelief he must have felt? As it turns out, an identity theft ring had gotten ahold of his line of credit account number and the account info of other customers, that theft ring went on to steal a whopping $12 million dollars through phony checks. If you would like to see more of what an identity theft ring does after they get financial information, you should watch Emily the Criminal (2022) on Netflix.
Securing your phone is an essential step in preventing identity theft. Smartphones are used every day for online banking, social media, and email. However, these activities also put users at risk of having their personal information stolen by cybercriminals. Here is a list of helpful steps that can increase your ability to stay safe and secure in our digitally connected world.
Update your phone, obsessively.
Updates often include security patches that address known vulnerabilities and bugs that could be exploited by cybercriminals to gain access to your device or steal your personal information. Hackers are constantly looking for new ways to exploit weaknesses in operating systems and applications, so updating your phone regularly helps ensure that you have the latest protection against potential threats. Keeping your phone updated ensures that you are running the latest version of the operating system and applications, which can help ensure compatibility with other devices and applications. If you are using an older version of an operating system or application, you may encounter compatibility issues with newer devices and software, which can cause inconvenience and potentially compromise the security of your phone.
If you are an Android OS user, you may remember the Stagefright exploit. The Stagefright exploit, which was discovered in 2015, is a media playback engine used by Android devices that allows attackers to send a malicious MMS message containing a specially crafted media file that could execute remote code on the victim’s device. This vulnerability affected nearly one billion Android devices at the time, and it highlighted the importance of regular security updates and patches. Since then, many other Android OS exploits and vulnerabilities have been discovered and addressed through regular security updates and patches.
Trust, then download.
It is important to only download applications from trusted sources such as the Google Play Store and the App Store because these platforms have strict security measures in place to ensure that the apps listed on their stores are safe and secure for users to download and use. Apps available on these platforms undergo a rigorous review process that includes security checks to identify any potential vulnerabilities or malicious code. This reduces the risk of downloading and installing apps that may contain malware or other security threats that can compromise your device and your personal information.
Downloading apps from untrusted sources can expose your device to various risks, including viruses, spyware, and other forms of malware. These malicious apps can steal your personal information, such as passwords and financial data, and even take control of your device, locking you out or causing other problems. In addition, untrusted apps can drain your device’s battery, slow down its performance, and cause other issues that can impact your overall experience.
Log in, twice.
Hackers typically rely on a few methods to gain access to online accounts, such as using brute force attacks, phishing scams, and stealing passwords through data breaches. Two-factor authentication (2FA) helps to mitigate these risks by requiring an additional layer of authentication that is unique to the user and not easily guessable. It makes it difficult for hackers to gain access to an account even if they have access to the user’s password because they would also need to have access to the second factor, which is typically a device or app that is only accessible to the user.
In addition, 2FA can also help to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. If an attacker tries to access an account with an incorrect password, the second factor (such as a code sent to the user’s phone) will not match, and the attacker will be denied access. This can alert the user to an attempted breach and prompt them to take further action to protect their account and personal information. As a best practice, ensure that you have enabled muti-factor or 2-step authentication on all your important accounts.
Don’t always be an open book.
The importance of having a strong password cannot be overstated. It is common for people to use passwords that contain information about themselves because it is easier to remember. For example, someone might use their pet’s name, their birth date, or their favorite sports team. However, this practice is dangerous because it makes it easier for hackers to guess or crack the password. Hackers often use social engineering techniques to gather personal information about their targets and use that information to guess their passwords. A password should not be related to any personal information such as your name, date of birth, or address. Using personal information in passwords also puts users at risk if their personal information is compromised in a data breach. If a hacker gains access to a database of usernames and passwords, they can use that information to try and gain access to other accounts that may share the same or similar passwords. This is called password reuse, and it is a common mistake that many people make.
A bad password is one that is easily guessed or cracked by hackers. A bad password may be a simple word or a sequence of numbers, such as “password123” or “12345678.” Such passwords are easily guessed by hackers using automated tools that can try thousands of possible combinations in a matter of seconds. Another example of a bad password is to use a common word, such as “football” or “monkey,” that can be easily guessed by anyone who knows you well. Additionally, using the same password for multiple accounts is also bad practice, as it allows hackers to access all of your accounts if they manage to crack your password.
A strong password is one of the primary defenses against hackers and cybercriminals attempting to steal your personal information. A good password should be unique, complex, and difficult to guess. It should be a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. A good password should be at least 10 characters long and should not be easily guessed by anyone, including family members, friends, or colleagues.
To create a strong password, it is recommended to use a passphrase, a series of random words or phrases that are easy to remember but difficult to guess. For example, a passphrase like “correct horse battery staple” is much harder to crack than a password like “P@ssword123.” Using a password manager is also a good practice, as it can generate and store strong passwords for you, making it easy to use a unique password for each account.
Lock your device, automatically.
Setting a screen timeout and PIN code is an essential step to ensure the security of your mobile device. Here is how to set them up on both iPhone and Android devices.
For iPhone:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and select “Display & Brightness”.
- Select “Auto-Lock” and choose a timeout interval from the available options, such as 30 seconds, 1 minute, or 2 minutes.
- Return to the main Settings menu and select “Face ID & Passcode” or “Touch ID & Passcode”, depending on your device model and settings.
- Enter your current passcode if prompted.
- Select “Turn Passcode On” if it is not already enabled, and follow the on-screen instructions to create a six-digit passcode or custom alphanumeric passcode.
For Android:
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Scroll down and select “Security & location”.
- Select “Screen lock” or “Screen lock type”.
- Choose a lock type from the available options, such as PIN, pattern, or password.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to create a PIN code, pattern, or password that meets the recommended security requirements, such as using at least eight characters or mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Set the “Automatically lock” or “Screen timeout” option to a preferred time interval, such as 30 seconds, 1 minute, or 2 minutes.
By setting a screen timeout and PIN code, you can ensure that your mobile device remains locked and secure when not in use, preventing unauthorized access and data breaches. Remember to use a strong and unique password or PIN code that is not related to personal information or easy to guess, and to update it regularly to maintain the security of your device.
Data, through a hidden tunnel.
A VPN, or virtual private network, provides many benefits to users who want to enhance their online privacy and security. The primary benefit of using a VPN is that it encrypts your internet traffic and data, making it unreadable to anyone who may try to intercept it. This is particularly important when using public Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in coffee shops, airports, and hotels, where hackers may be able to intercept your internet traffic and steal your sensitive information. It can also prevent your internet service provider (ISP) from tracking your online activity and selling your data to advertisers.
The following VPN applications offer various features such as strong encryption, no-logs policy, multiple server locations, and user-friendly interfaces.
It’s important to do your research and choose a VPN that best suits your needs and budget. Additionally, it’s important to note that while using a VPN can enhance your online privacy and security, it’s not a foolproof solution and should be used in conjunction with other cyber security best practices as mentioned above.
Report.
Mobile devices can be vulnerable to attacks. It is crucial to implement cyber security practices to keep your information safe. If you notice suspicious cyber activity report it to the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
» https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/cyber-incident-reporting-united-message-final.pdf/view
» https://www.cisa.gov/reporting-cyber-incidents
One more thing.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. While we have made every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information, cybersecurity threats and best practices are constantly evolving, and the effectiveness of specific cybersecurity measures may vary depending on individual circumstances. It is important to conduct your own research and consult with a cybersecurity professional before making decisions about your personal or business security. We are not liable for any damages or losses that may arise from following the subjective advice presented in this article.
If you have any more questions for recommendations contact francis.rhodd@unitimed.com. Francis has more than 15 years of experience in technology and holds 10 certifications from CompTIA, Google, EC-Council and Microsoft.
by Jamie Zarlingo | Mar 20, 2023 | Uncategorized
Uniti Med is thrilled to announce its inclusion in the 2023 Best Places to Work in Omaha list, an annual program created by Baird Holm LLP to help local employers gauge their employees’ engagement through an online survey. Studies have shown that engaged employees tend to stay longer with their employers, provide better customer service, and contribute more to their companies. The survey covers various aspects of the workplace, including morale, environment, engagement and opportunities, management, and co-workers.
Chad Crawford, VP of Sales at Uniti Med, stated, “Omaha is filled with numerous outstanding companies, so being recognized as a Best Place in Omaha winner is an immense honor. As a company that leads with heart, we prioritize people by investing in and empowering them to be their best. Therefore, having our employees rate us as one of the Best Places in Omaha is the most significant compliment. We value their hard work, dedication, and impact on Uniti, the community, and healthcare staffing. Our concern for our colleagues does not end at the close of business hours, and we establish lasting relationships that extend beyond Uniti Med’s walls.”
As a component of the survey, every employer obtains personalized survey outcomes that offer significant input to determine areas requiring improvement, modifications, and strengths. This feedback is essential as it can be transformed into actionable measures to effect change and provides an excellent overview of what is functioning well. In May, a luncheon will be held to bestow awards and acknowledge all the winners.
“Uniti Med has had exponential growth over the last year. In January of 2022, we had 25 internal employees, and we grew to 100 today.” Said COO, Chris Sund. “We invested early on into our employees by hiring a Director of Culture as one of our first leadership roles. Micaela Zimmer works with our employees to make sure we are collaborating with them and listening to their feedback to improve our company. If we want to maintain a great culture, we have to always keep a focus on how we are going to improve it. Every employee has a different view on what matters to them, so we work to get to know them and what matters to them.”
“Uniti’s employees are the cornerstone of our organization. As Maya Angelou famously stated, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ For us, fostering a positive workplace culture goes beyond simply providing fun activities and treats. We strive to ensure that every team member feels heard, valued, appreciated, and leads with heart.” Said Micaela Zimmer, Director of Culture. “When a company demonstrates a genuine concern for the well-being of its people, the results can be truly transformative. While awards and recognition are certainly appreciated, the greatest accomplishment is knowing that our employees leave work each day feeling important and recognized as the key to Uniti’s success. It allows us to connect with hearts, our customers, our travelers, and the communities that we serve.”
Founded in 2021, Uniti Med is a medical staffing company committed to placing travelers in top-tier locations across the United States. What began as a small corporate office in the heart of Omaha has grown to include more than 100 employees in just two years. We take great pride in being recognized as 2023 Best Staffing Firms to Work For by SIA and are thrilled to have also earned certification through Great Places to Work and Best of Omaha in 2023. For more information on Uniti Med, please visit our website at unitimed.com.
by Jamie Zarlingo | Mar 10, 2023 | Uncategorized
Uniti Healthcare Traveler Employee Assistance Program
At Uniti Med, we know life is not always easy, and some days can be more strenuous than others. Financial concerns, stress, anxiety, depression, legal issues, grief—we’ve all been there one way or another and we want to help. Uniti Med is excited to now offer an Healthcare Traveler Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Magellan Healthcare!
With this program, you and your family are able to utilize free and confidential services to aid in life’s everyday (or even unexpected) predicaments. Trying to figure out your budget or plan for retirement? Consult with a financial professional. Need to vent about issues going on at home or maybe even at work? Talk to a professional counselor. First-time parent or want to inform yourself more on childcare? Watch webinars or read one of the articles about parenting and education.
Here is what an EAP all has to offer:
- Counseling (In-person or virtual)
- Legal services
- Finances
- Identity Theft
- Webinars & Articles
- Discounts on your favorite brands
We know that stressors can hit anytime during the day or night. With the Magellean Healthcare Traveler Employee Assistance Program they offer 24-hour access through the EAP hotline. That way Uniti Med can be there no matter what time of day it is all while keeping your information confidential.
There are always going to be challenges in life, and Uniti Med wants our employees to feel supported and that there is help available when you need it most. Contact us to sign up for an EAP today and start taking charge of your future!
by Jamie Zarlingo | Mar 9, 2023 | Uncategorized
Uniti Med is pleased to announce we have made SIA’s list of Best Staffing Firms to Work For 2023. This is a huge accomplishment for our team and we couldn’t be more proud of this honor.
Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) is a global research and advisory firm focused on staffing and workforce solutions. Every year, a list of Best Staffing Firms to Work For winners is announced at the Executive Forum North America conference. The employees and temps of these companies provide the data for rankings. President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Sund and Vice President of Sales Chad Crawford attended this year’s conference in Miami Beach to accept our award. Uniti Med’s win was in the category for staffing firms with 51-200 employees.
“Having Uniti Med recognized as a Top Staffing Firm to Work For in North America, hearing our name announced among hundreds of talented companies sent a wave of emotions. I’m grateful to work alongside so many amazing people every day.”
– Chris Sund, President and Chief Operating Officer
To see our growth over the past year and that growth and culture being nationally recognized is incredibly humbling to us. We wouldn’t be where we are without our incredibly hard-working staff and our travelers who continue to entrust us with their travel careers. We hope to be back in 2024 for next year’s conference!
by Jamie Zarlingo | Mar 7, 2023 | Uncategorized
What do we mean when we say, “the company with heart”? For us, it means leading with compassion and empathy. Uniti just turned 2 and it continues to be an amazing ride on this path of growth. Our focus will always be to take the best care of our travelers and clients. Along the way, we are also committed to making a positive difference in the world around us. Whether it’s doing the Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics, Park Cleanup for Earth Day, Habitat for Humanity, or serving meals at an area shelter, Uniti Med believes in making the world better and that starts with making sure our employees have the chance to give back to the community during company hours.
Uniti Med believes social responsibility and community engagement are important and necessary as a part of our company and culture.
2022 allowed us to make memories, have lots of laughs, and do good in our community. Since we are 2 and it happens to be the start of the new year, we thought we would take a walk down memory lane.
Special Olympics Nebraska: Uniti Med participated in the Polar Plunge and although the water was FREEZING, the camaraderie we felt doing this for a special cause made it worth it. If you have never gotten the chance to do something like this, do it—heck, join us next year! We followed up our Polar Plunge event the following month by volunteering at the Special Olympics Nebraska Spring Games. We got to spend the day helping cheer on and time the athletes while they competed. Seeing how the Polar Plunge contributions are used to make a difference in the program was indescribable. We will do this EVERY. Single. Year.
Heartland Family Services: During the month of March, we’re turning our eyes and hearts upon women in need of a little more than just recognition. The Family Works program at the Heartland Family Service endeavors to address trauma and addiction to create the path toward recovery, redemption, and independence. Their residential programs allow the women they’re serving to preserve and strengthen their relationships with their children, a critical component to the safety, health, and well-being of the family. Many of the families cared for in this program escaped abusive and dangerous situations and now find themselves in need of every necessity. From clothing to hygienic goods, Family Works provides the pieces needed for creating self-sufficiency.
Lutheran Family Services: Uniti heard about a young lady that was aging out of the foster care system and needing supplies as she headed to college. Her story of perseverance inspired us to rally and get as many things as possible on her wish list so that her dorm room was all set up and she had all the supplies needed to conquer and succeed in this next chapter.
Omaha Parks and Rec: In honor of Earth Day, we spent several hours cleaning Spring Lake Park. Making a difference can be as easy as getting a group of people together and picking up trash. We have one world, and it is our job to take care of it. We are just borrowing it from future generations.
Women’s Center for Advancement: The WCA assists victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking. We had been informed that the WCA was in dire need of feminine hygiene products and wanted to rally as a company to donate as many products as possible to the women they serve.
Habitat for Humanity: The mission of Habitat for Humanity: “We build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.” Uniti spent the day working on framing one of the habitat homes and what we learned is… this work is not easy, but it is teachable. We loved helping build a space for a family to make memories in and taking some of the skills we learned into our own homes.
Heart Ministry Center – “Dignity for All”: The Heart Ministry Center offers several programs to the community and Uniti was fortunate to get to help serve food in their weekly food distribution program. Every week 1,000 families go to the Heart Ministry Center food pantry program to get some of their family’s nutritional needs met. Uniti spent the afternoon helping hand out food to the area families and left with a desire to do more. This organization provides so many services and opportunities, and we can’t wait to be a part of it again in 2023!
Alzheimer’s Association of Nebraska: Alzheimer’s disease is the 7th leading cause of death in the country with nearly 6 million people living with some form of Dementia. Uniti employees brought donated books and we set up an in-office book drive to raise money for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Through our book drive and donations, we were able to raise $2,000 to help fund research to help end Alzheimer’s.
Pink Ribbon Rodeo (benefiting Project Pink’d): Uniti was proud to be a corporate sponsor for an organization that helped raise money for women who are/have battled breast cancer. This organization works to raise money for Project Pink’d in Omaha. Project Pink’d helps individuals diagnosed with Breast Cancer support on many levels. They provide resources, meals, financial assistance and comfort items while they are in the middle of treatment.
Food Bank for the Heartland – Did I mention we just turned 2? This year we got to do our first “Annual” event. Our first year in business and the initial event Uniti rallied behind was a food drive for the Foodbank of the Heartland. We were so excited to be able to donate 300 lbs. of food. This year our company got bigger and that means our rallying got bigger, too! We were thrilled to be able to donate 2,300 pounds of food for local families with food insecurity during the holiday season.
Presents for Project Harmony: Project Harmony focuses on helping children who have experienced abuse and trauma. This organization provides forensic interviews, advocacy services, and a children’s shelter for kids who are waiting to be placed in foster care. This year Uniti adopted children and families that Project Harmony serves to help make their holiday season brighter. We had the opportunity to provide presents for 36 people this year. Although “things” don’t always help when situations are very tough, our hope was to remind these kids that they matter and are thought of during this season.
We hope your 2022 was as meaningful as ours, and that your 2023 is filled with opportunities to make a difference in your commUniti. Whether you volunteer your time, host a drive, or donate to an important cause, it matters and makes a difference.
by Jamie Zarlingo | Mar 3, 2023 | Uncategorized
Use social media to connect while on assignment
We know that a travel healthcare provider has a sense of adventure and loves to go to various places. You like to meet new people and see things you have never seen before. Traveling someplace new every 13 weeks can make it hard to keep up with friends and family at home, and at times be lonely. Here are 4 tips on how to use social media to stay connected no matter where you are.
1. Showcase your experiences
Social media is so much more than a status update now. You can add photos, videos and more. Share your travel experience by creating fun reels and taking photos of all the places you go. Your friends and family will love to keep up with your adventures by sharing your photos and giving them a taste of what it is like at your new assignment. Show them the unique journey that you are on and how amazing the travel lifestyle is. This not only shows them what you are up to but can help them understand the importance and lifestyle of healthcare travelers. It may even inspire them to visit you at your new assignment!
2. Find other travelers
Another way to stay connected is to join a group on Facebook and connect with other travelers. This allows you to get to know more about places you may want to go to or to connect with other people in your profession. Having connections within your profession is important. You can get advice, vent, or just have a friend who understands what you are going through. By connecting with other travelers, it can be less lonely on the road, and you never know, maybe you will meet them at a future assignment. Join the Uniti Med Facebook group today to connect with other Uniti Med travelers!
3. Join a group in each city
If you are new to your assignment, maybe you are looking for things to do or what restaurants to check out. Most cities have Facebook groups you can join where others from the area are consistently posting in. Here you can find experts from around your location who can tell you all about the hot spots to go to and the best times to go there. You will find a wide variety of topics such as foodie finds, hiking, nature lovers, sightseers, small businesses, sports, nightlife, pets, music and more. These groups can help you find hidden gems while at your assignment. You can also connect with locals and make new friends who can show you around. Who doesn’t like an excellent restaurant recommendation?
4. Create groups within direct messaging
Another aspect of social media is direct messaging. These apps let you share content with anyone you are connected with. Create groups in your direct messaging to make it easy to stay connected with different people. Some ideas are making a family group, profession group, college friends’ group, or past co-worker group. These groups make it easy to share memes, quickly chat with the whole group, and allow everyone to chime in. It is like a constant conversation with the people you love.
Social media can be a fantastic way to stay connected. It can also be a great tool to make new friends with similar interests. With numerous platforms, direct messaging, joining groups, and varieties of media there is something for everyone. These apps help make traveling by yourself a little less lonely and easy to share your experiences to get others excited about traveling!
Interested in learning more about healthcare traveling? Ask your questions to our recruiters!
