October 2022 Newsletter
5 ways to protect yourself vs cybersecurity threats
Cyber awareness month is a perfect opportunity to reinforce security awareness, one of the easiest and most effective ways to defend against cyber threats.
Here are five ways to protect yourself from common cybersecurity threats:
- Visit only secure websites and always verify the source of an email. A secure URL should begin with “https” rather than “http”.
- Implement Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) 99.9% of all cyber breaches can be prevented and blocked by using MFA since users must provide two or more pieces of evidence verifying their identity. MFA is easily implementable and available at no charge on most mobile applications.
- Conduct regular software updates - Outdated software is one of the leading causes of security breaches. By keeping your software up-to-date, you can help protect yourself and your data from these kinds of attacks.
- Create a Cyber Incident Response Plan - Knowing how to respond and what to do in the event of an incident is crucial to reducing damages.
Get a Cyber Insurance policy - Every Business, no matter its size, should have a cyber insurance policy. A standalone cyber policy is a great financial safety net victims can fall on.
Quick Quiz
Each month I'll give you a new question.
Just click the button below and submit your answer.
First 10 responders will be entered into drawing for 3 Starbuck's gift cards.
Each year, how many slices of pie does the average American eat?
Last month's winners were:
Brenda Mendoza
Louie Barron
Jim McCartney
Good Words for Our Staff
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"I always get a live person when I need one, I've changed vehicles and updated the insurance several times, and it all went smoothly. Everyone I've dealt with has been helpful and friendly, too."
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Can One Simple Act of Gratitude Actually Change Your Life?
John Kralik is a man who understands the power of gratitude. As a broke attorney living in a musty apartment in Los Angeles, he found himself overweight, struggling with a divorce and unable to pay his employees after a string of clients not paying bills.
Close to rock bottom, John took a New Year’s Day hike in the hills of L.A. During the walk, he decided he’d find something to be grateful for every single day, regardless of what life threw at him. From there, he set about writing a thank-you note each day for the next 365 days, finding that, amazingly, there were constantly things right in front of him that he felt thankful for, things he never would have previously noticed.
The seemingly simple daily act served to completely transform his life, with his daily gratitude practice leading to a positive and successful outlook he could never have imagined back in those days in the apartment. John has now published a book, A Simple Act of Gratitude, detailing the journey his ritual has taken him on. He’s since given and received thousands of thank-you notes, finding that the universe reciprocates positivity when you put it out there.
John’s mantra is that when a machine fulfills a task for you, there’s an atmosphere of expectation. When a human does so, a thank-you note shows them that they are genuinely appreciated and important to you. This small act sets both of you apart, bringing peace and meaning to all.
4 Good Reasons to Practice Gratitude and How to Do It
This month, we celebrate Thanksgiving, a time to come together with the ones we love and be grateful for those around us. Being thankful and expressing gratitude not only brings a wealth of emotional and interpersonal benefits, but there are also a surprising number of physical benefits too. Here are four reasons to practice gratitude and how to do it.
Being grateful is proven to reduce depression. Try writing a daily gratitude journal, listing three things you’re grateful for each day. Even if you’re going through a hard time, doing this will help you appreciate the good things around you that you may not have even noticed, reducing your stress levels.
Being grateful improves sleep. Going to bed on a happy thought helps you to throw away nighttime anxiety and sleep more peacefully. Think of someone who’s affected your life for the better and go and say thank you to them. Thinking of their positive impact on you as you hit the pillow will send you off to sleep soundly.
Being grateful improves digestion. Amazingly, studies have shown that there is a link between our attitudes towards our body and its ability to digest properly. So taking a moment to say to yourself, "I am thankful for my body and what it does for me" can help to actually improve your digestive system’s functions!
Being grateful improves your senses. Showing thanks for the things around you can actually help you have a heightened appreciation of things like scents, sounds and sights. Taking a minute’s break every now and then to simply be grateful for the things in front of you can help improve your senses to no end.

Sweet Potato Pie
Serves 8
Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes
1 9-inch pie crust
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 eggs
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup evaporated milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 can whipped cream
Preheat oven to 425℉. Line baking sheet with foil and grease. Pierce sweet potatoes with fork, place on baking sheet, bake for 45 minutes or until very tender. Once ready, take out of oven and let them cool. Peel and discard skin. Grease a 9-inch pie pan, add pie crust, set aside. Place sweet potato in mixing bowl and mash.
Add butter and eggs, then mix. Add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt, then mix. Add evaporated milk and vanilla and mix until fully combined. Pour filling into the pie crust and bake at 350℉ for 50–60 minutes or until the top is nicely browned. Remove from oven and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes. Garnish with whipped cream. Serve.
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