Nationwide protects home computers from hackers
Software makes text unreadable to data thieves
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2012
Contacts:
Nancy Smeltzer (614) 249.4491
smeltzn@nationwide.com
Columbus, OH — Nationwide Insurance extended its ID Theft Insurance by helping members protect their personal information on home computers. Today, criminals are becoming more adept and aggressive at stealing bank account numbers and passwords. Nationwide’s newest product includes access to software that helps thwart criminals from stealing information – even if they have virtual access to a customer’s personal computer.
“Nationwide takes protecting personal information seriously,” said Kirk Herath, Vice President and Chief Privacy Officer. “At Nationwide, we work diligently to keep our customers’ information secure. But, it’s only half the equation – most identity theft occurs because customers aren’t adequately protecting their home computers. With the increase in criminal activity, it makes sense to help equip our customers with strong tools to help them keep their personal computers secure.”
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics in the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. households experienced about $13.3 billion in direct financial losses due to identity theft in 2010. Even online games have become sources of valuable information for tech-savvy thieves.
Nationwide is one of a few companies offering this protection in identity theft packages.
This will help members guard against criminals who use malicious means and attacks to steal personal information as people bank online, enter passwords on social media sites and transact business online.
Nationwide Identity Theft Coverage and Protection is provided by Europ Assistance USA (EA USA).
Part of the new coverage includes software for browsers called Online Data Protection. This software is designed to protect against key logging1 and phishing2 attacks by scrambling the data that members type into web pages. Using this tool makes it less likely that criminals can read the data that they steal using keystroke loggers or phishing sites. This tool works along with anti-virus, anti-spyware, and a personal firewall to help keep personal computers safe from snooping criminals.
“Key logging, spyware and phishing attacks are becoming more prevalent as thieves find ways to tap into confidential information,” said Glenn Maykish, Vice President of EA USA. “Combating these risks is a perfect complement to our identity theft protection and resolution services offered to Nationwide customers.”
Nationwide Identity Theft Coverage offers up to $25,000 in recovery for expense reimbursement with no deductible, immediate fraud assessment, notification to major credit bureaus, assistance with contacting creditors, banks, and agencies, assistance replacing important documents, and emergency cash advance if theft occurs while away from home (restrictions and limits apply). The coverage also includes credit monitoring and identity tracking – and now online data protection.
About Europ Assistance USA
As the most experienced company in the assistance industry, Europ
Assistance has been helping customers in times of crisis for nearly 50
years. The company's expertise in managing the complex issues involved in
identity theft, and its 24/7 team of resolution specialists, have handled
thousands of cases and protected millions of customers. EA was one of the
first companies to provide identity theft resolution services and today
provides white label identity theft protection solutions to millions of
customers on behalf of financial institutions, corporations and insurance
companies. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, EA USA is part of the Europ
Assistance Group, which is owned by Global 500 insurance conglomerate
Generali Group.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest
diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S.
and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of
personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance,
motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance,
administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions and
long-term savings plans. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide, the Nationwide frame mark, and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
1Key logging or a key logger is a type of surveillance software or spyware that records every keystroke you make including instant messages, e-mail, and any information you type at any time using your keyboard and then transmits this information to an unknown third party, who can use this information to have access to your confidential information such as bank account numbers, logins, passwords, etc.
2Phishing (pronounced "fishing") is a type of online identity theft that involves the use of email and fraudulent websites to steal your personal data or information such as credit card numbers, passwords, account data or other sensitive information.
