5 do's and don'ts to keep your identity safe from hackers

Resourceful thieves and cybercriminals continue to find new ways to hack consumers' sensitive personal information. Dumpster diving, stolen or lost wallets and mail fraud should still be concerns, but the digital age of tablets, smartphones, PCs and Wi-Fi networks leaves people more vulnerable than ever.

Have you ever stored credit card information on your phone for added convenience to make payments in a checkout lane? Do you ever store passwords in apps to transfer funds between accounts? And what's to keep hackers from accessing a wireless network you check your email on while you're grabbing a quick cup of coffee?

The following five do's and don'ts can help stop criminals in their tracks and protect your connected devices, as well as your electronic identity.

* Do power down your devices. This disables the internet connection, cutting off access to any personal information stored on your computer, tablet or phone. Unattended machines, especially if you are asleep or leave them at home while on vacation, are easy targets for hackers.

* Don't connect to unsecured wireless networks. Information accessed on an open network, including email passwords and sensitive bank information, is fair game for hackers. Don't make their jobs easier. Turn off Wi-Fi access on your devices unless it's a password-protected network you trust.

* Do monitor your children's device usage. It's a good idea to limit the use of computers, tablets, and phones to public areas within the home like the living room or kitchen. This makes it easier for parents to keep an eye on who their kids are communicating with, especially on social media or gaming sites, to help prevent the sharing of sensitive information like full names, addresses or other things that can be used for identity theft or other potentially dangerous activities.

* Don't discard important paperwork without shredding it. If it has your name and address, thieves can take advantage and open an account using your information. Remember to shred expired insurance documents, vehicle registrations, bills, loan pre-qualifications and other paperwork that would allow someone to call in pretending to be you. Check your credit reports at least twice a year to ensure all accounts opened in your name are valid.

* Do install recommended updates. Smartphones, computers, tablets, and smart TV manufacturers, among other providers of connected devices, offer periodic software updates to protect against potential security breaches. Chances are if an update is recommended, hackers have already discovered a way to access your personal property and information, so keep your software up to date.

Understand data usage to get the best deal

When it comes to how we use our cellphones, it's especially important to understand data usage. Knowing what consumes your data, and how you use it, will help you recognize whether you're getting the best deal on your wireless plan.

With unlimited talk and text becoming more common offerings, what most of us are really paying for on our cellphone bills is data. You're using mobile data whenever you're not connected to Wi-Fi and doing things like browsing the web, using apps, checking social media, sending or receiving picture messages, and streaming music or videos.

Here are a few important things to understand to make sure that you get the best service, at the best price, on your monthly data plan.

How it's measured 

Simply put, data usage is the amount of data you use in a billing cycle (usually a 30-day time frame). Your cellphone plan's data is used whenever you use your phone's internet connection to perform a task.

Anytime you send an email, download a photo, stream video, view a web page, or post on social media, your phone is sending or receiving data across your carrier's network. A megabyte (MB) and the larger gigabyte (GB) are the units used for measuring data. Industry analysts have found that an average cellphone user consumes about 5GB of data per month.

It's hard to determine exactly how much data specific activities consume since file sizes and download times can vary. To provide a general idea, it's estimated that with 1GB of data, you can browse the Internet and use social media for around 40 minutes a day, stream about 10 hours of music in a month, and view 1-2 movies a month.

High-speed limits

With overage charges becoming nearly extinct and unlimited plans becoming more and more common, you might find yourself wondering why you should worry about your data usage at all.

When a cell phone plan has a designated monthly allotment of data, it means that you'll get optimal data speeds up until you have reached the limit. So, if your plan has a 3GB data limit, you can use up to 3GB of data at full speed. Once you go over that 3GB of data usage, you can expect to encounter slower data speeds.

With that in mind, you might expect unlimited data plans to provide you with all of the best data you can possibly use in your billing cycle. But this is not the case. Most "unlimited" data plans actually have what is referred to as a "deprioritization threshold." This is a cap on your high-speed data, meaning that if you reach the threshold (ranging anywhere from 20GB to 50GB) during a billing cycle you will actually be subject to slower data speeds during times of heavy network congestion, just as you would with a lighter use plan.

Choosing the right plan

So, the first step in managing your data usage is being realistic about how much you really need. The best way is to track your usage through your cellphone carrier: most offer up-to-the-minute details on your data usage either online or through a mobile app.

Then, seek out a carrier who offers plans that fit what you really use. Before you decide, read the fine print. Find out what, if any, caps are placed on your usage, or if there are fees for going over or changing your plan. By understanding your own needs and what your carrier specifically allows, you'll have everything you need to get the data you require.

Common causes for sensitive teeth

If you've ever noticed a sharp pain in your teeth when enjoying an ice cream or a cold or hot beverage, you probably experience some degree of tooth sensitivity. When the temperature gets colder outside, even just breathing in frosty air can trigger that pain. According to research, 1 in every 2 adults suffers from some kind of tooth sensitivity.

Gum recession

There are several factors that can lead to gum recession - with one of the contributors being gingivitis. This can lead to a gingival recession which, along with the loss of cementum, leads to exposure of dentin - which leads to dental sensitivity.

Enamel wear

The outer covering or shield of the tooth, known as enamel, can wear down over time as well as from acidic food and drinks. Weakened enamel and dentin can also mean exposing the microscopic tubules that lead to dental nerves so that anything touching that area causes pain.

Tooth decay

If you are experiencing tooth decay or cavities, those areas can be overly sensitive. Sometimes the areas around old fillings can accumulate bacteria, which leads to further tooth problems and sensitivity.

Dental procedures

For anyone who has undergone a recent dental procedure, whether a simple filling, crown placement or something more involved like a root canal, your teeth may experience sensitivity for some time afterward.

Brushing too hard

Sometimes using a hard-bristled brush, or simply using too much force while brushing, can contribute to worn enamel, making tooth sensitivity worse.

If you experience any of the issues, you should visit the dentist and get your teeth examined. 

The power of positivity: Four simple tips to change your life

New research shows that the power of positivity can work wonders in managing stress, staying productive and boosting happiness. Here are some insight into simple ways you can inject positivity into your day:

Set intentions early

Take a moment to shift your focus in the morning. What do you want to get out of your day? It's so easy to fall prey to the tyranny of urgency. Hold the emails, texts, calls, and messages and spend just 2 minutes grounding yourself in a positive practice like meditating. You'll set yourself up for greater happiness in the long run.

Move beyond off days

Don't get hung up when you have a negative day. The most important part of creating a new habit is having the courage to restart when you have an off day. Happiness is not a state of mind; it's a mindset that develops over time. The best way to elevate your mindset is by training your brain to look for positive information in the world around you that you might have missed.

Pay it forward

Individuals who pay it forward through praise and recognition express that they have greater feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and relatedness. However, even more importantly, both givers and receivers inspire others to want to give, which creates a powerful network effect.

Positivity sweepstakes

Nearly seven in 10 people agree they have a friend who is very positive and helps them get through the day, and almost 75% said they often receive appreciation from their friends/ colleagues, according to the survey. If you have someone who is always brightening your day, you can show gratitude by nominating them for a chance to win some great prizes.