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Computer
Viruses – A Serious Threat to Business Health
Computer viruses are an unfortunate fact of business,
and of the Internet in general. These malicious computer programs
- some simple, some very sophisticated – are usually
written by students looking to create mischief or, in some
cases, by professionals such as disgruntled employees or frustrated
programmers.
There are over 30,000 known computer viruses, though a huge
proliferation of these are actually ‘copy cats’
of previous versions. Viruses are usually small in size and
often hide themselves within other programs, making them difficult
to detect. They have also evolved into standalone programs
known as “Worms”, although the term “Virus”
is frequently used to describe both. In either case, these
destructive programs can range from a minor nuisance to a
technical catastrophe.
To protect your business, it is imperative that all employees
understand the seriousness of computer virus threats. Ensure
that they know what to do to prevent viruses, and their responsibility
to do so. Also, communicate what employees should do if they
suspect the presence of a virus in their computer. The following
guidelines may be helpful for your employees and their Managers
– they could even form the basis of a policy designed
to mitigate Computer Virus risks:
Interior Safety Tips
| 1 |
Most computer viruses arrive as e-mail
attachments. They may or may not come from someone that
you know. It is a good general practice to discard unsolicited
email as a preventative measure. When an email message
is accompanied by an attachment with a specific file extension,
beware - it may well be a virus, sent without the knowledge
of the person whose email address appears as the sender.
File extensions to watch for include .exe .vbs .scr .vbe
.com .bat .shs .cpl .dll .ocx .pif
.drv .lnk .bin .sys .eml .nws. Do NOT click on attachment
files with names that end with any of these. A virus could
be launched that could wipe clean your hard disk, send
out viral emails to your entire email contact list and
a host of other damaging activities. Simply delete the
message in its entirety. |
| 2 |
Update virus definition
files regularly, typically for a minimum of once a week
but no less than once a month. Update your virus scan
program every month.
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| 3 |
It is impossible for any anti-virus program
to protect against all new viruses, so ALWAYS be very
cautious about opening e-mail attachments. |
| 4 |
If you do detect (or suspect) a virus,
please let the appropriate technical support staff know
so that they can eradicate the virus and ensure the computer
is functioning normally. |
| 5 |
New viruses are often reported in the news;
which is always a good time to update your virus definitions.
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Finally, ensure all business data is protected by completing
regular back-up routines. Always maintain off-site information
storage so that data can be easily retrieved in the event of
a fire, flood, theft or other disaster. Business interruption
can create costly delays and losses than can have far reaching
consequences, so be sure your business is always prepared for
the unexpected.
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Managing Your Risk – Fleet Insurance
In managing a commercial fleet of vehicles, details such as
driving records, physical examinations, written exams and driving
tests are critical elements of loss control.
Driving
Records
Ordering Drivers Abstracts may be the most important auto loss
prevention activity your business can take. Every Provincial
Ministry of Transportation has the capability of providing driving
records that include traffic violations, accidents, and driving
suspensions. Running these reports can not only confirm that
a job applicant has a clean driving record but also the appropriate
commercial driver’s license.
Obviously, drivers with histories of accidents and tickets
should not be hired for positions that involve a significant
amount of vehicle operation. Failure to obtain proper documentation
to confirm driver skills and qualifications can result in
increased liability exposure should accidents occur.
Physical Fitness
Clearly, most businesses don’t require an athlete to
operate their fleet vehicles, but it is a good idea to verify
that drivers are in good health and fully capable of driving
safely. Certain driving classifications require medical certificates
on a regular basis.
Written Examination or Road Test
Many employers, particularly motor carriers, require prospective
drivers to complete a written exam and/or road test, to evaluate
the ability of the applicant.
Obtaining the appropriate insurance coverage is essential,
this includes fleet policies (five or more commercially rated
power units), individually rated automobile policies and coverage
under a Commercial General Liability Policy. These include
both Liability and Physical Damage
coverages.
Liability Coverage
Liability coverage protects against legal liability arising
out of the ownership, maintenance or use of an insured vehicle.
The coverage pays damages for bodily injury or property damage
for which the insured is legally responsible as a result of
an auto accident. In addition to the payment of damages, the
policy covers the costs of legal defense and may also include:
Commercial General Liability Policy
- Non-Owned Autos - provided only for autos not owned, leased,
hired, or borrowed by the insured. It includes autos owned
by the insured’s employees or members of their households,
but only while in use in the insured’s business or
personal affairs.
- Rental Vehicle - covers leased, hired, rented or borrowed
vehicles for use in the insured’s business.
Fleet or Individually Rated Policy
- Medical Payments - reasonable and necessary medical and
funeral expenses incurred by an insured because of injury
or death as a result of an accident.
- Uninsured Motorist - pays for injury to an insured who
is injured by an uninsured motorist, hit-and-run driver
or a driver whose insurer becomes insolvent.
- Physical damage Coverage:
- Collision. Protects against loss or damage to an insured
auto or a non-owned auto resulting from the impact with
another vehicle or object.
- Comprehensive. Protects against loss or damage to an
insured auto resulting from loss other than a collision
or upset. Also provides supplemental payments for transportation
expenses in the event of total theft.
- Specified Cause of Loss. This protects against loss
from fire, lightning, or explosion; theft; windstorm,
hail or earthquake; flood; mischief or vandalism; and
sinking, burning, collision or derailment of a conveyance
transporting the insured vehicle.
- Rental Reimbursement. Covers expenses incurred to rent
a substitute when a vehicle is disabled.
- Towing and Labour. Covers the costs of towing and labor
any time an insured vehicle is disabled.
Conclusion
A systematic plan for evaluating prospective drivers combined
with comprehensive vehicle insurance coverage is the best way
to mitigate risks associated with fleet operation. Lackner McLennan
specializes in fleet insurance as part of our extensive commercial
insurance portfolio. We can assist you by developing a package
of Fleet Insurance coverage to suit your specific business needs.
Talk to your Lackner McLennan Insurance Professional
for more details! |
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How does inflation affect your insurance policy?
Insurance rates have been on the rise for the last two years
due to many significant factors. One that you may not have considered
is inflation and its affect on both costs and claims related
to Property Insurance.
Property insurance secures your business
from financial loss because property has been damaged or destroyed.
Liability insurance protects your business
from a wide variety of exposures that could include accidents
on your premises or as a result of the operation of products
or the provision of services sold by your business, contractual
liability and much more.
Property insurance is subject to inflation. Most property
insurance awards are made on the basis of the rate of inflation
established by Statistics Canada i.e. 2-3%. So, it is important
to maintain sufficient insurance coverage to compensate for
cost increases resulting from inflation. For example, the
value of the building owned by your business today would be
significantly less than the cost to rebuild it ten years from
now, which would include the annual rates of inflation compounded
over that period.
Liability claims are not subject to a standard rate of inflation
because the costs are dependent on many extenuating factors
and are determined on a case-to-case basis by the courts.
Because liability is intangible, judgments in this area are,
by necessity, much more subjective.
Inflation Coverage is important to protect
your business in the event of property damage. It ensures
that adequate limits are in place so that your business can
receive the benefit of replacement costs that are in line
with the general building construction index (which determines
appropriate replacement values based on a standard rate of
inflation and average construction industry costs). Inflation
Coverage adjusts the amount of insurance on your business’
property to keep pace with changing inflation rates during
the policy term.
Unsure if your commercial insurance protects your business
from inflation? Be sure to talk to your Lackner
Insurance Professional to discuss property claim
costs and the appropriate Inflation Coverage requirements
for your business. |
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