Using public Wi-Fi, reusing passwords, and providing personal information are the top three risks Canadians take online

TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2024 /CNW/ – Despite awareness of cyber best practices, many Canadians are still putting themselves at risk online, according to a new RBC survey, which found that two-in-five Canadians (38%) qualify as moderate to high-risk potential for becoming victims of cyber-attacks.

RBC’s new Cyber Safety Index reviewed how often Canadians engage in certain behaviours online. While the majority practice at least some good cyber hygiene, less than half say they always use all of the recommended online safety behaviours, which include keeping their software and operating systems updated (71%), using two-factor authentication/verification on online banking accounts (67%), enabling privacy and security settings on all devices (65%) and limiting who follows them on social media (63%). Less than a third (30%) always or often use virtual private networks (VPN) when surfing public Wi-Fi; or password generators to create secure, random passwords for online accounts (28%), leaving considerable room to improve across the board.

“The responses to our Cyber Safety Index show that while many Canadians are aware of things they can do to be safer online, there’s still opportunities for them to change behaviours and close that risk gap,” said Adam Evans, chief information security officer at RBC. “At RBC, we’re focused on providing Canadians with the practical tips and education they need to take control of their online safety and mitigate risks in an ever-evolving digital world.”

Canadians still taking cyber risks

On the flip side, many Canadians are also participating in risky online activities that could further increase the potential of exposure to cyber-attacks. Within the past year, over three-quarters (77%) have knowingly or accidentally engaged in at least one risky online behaviour, with the most commonly reported being using public Wi-Fi (49%). Others include consenting to share their personal information when asked (27%), clicking on pop-up ads (19%), visiting unsecure websites (18%) and ignoring privacy settings on social media platforms (13%).

Furthermore, over a third (35%) agree they have used the same password(s) across multiple platforms, and nearly as many are more concerned about missing out on exclusive events/activities than disclosing personal information online (32%), and/or have interacted with unsolicited texts or social media messages (31%).

Top safety concerns 

Despite these results, the vast majority of Canadians said they are concerned about being victimized by online fraud (80%), identity theft (84%), corporate data breaches (79%), being hacked (84%), and/or experiencing unauthorized access to their online accounts (87%), in line with last year. However, significantly fewer feel safe engaging in social media activities (69%; -7 pts) compared to 2023.

Fortunately, a growing proportion of Canadians (85%; +3 points) say they are comfortable learning new ways to protect their online information compared to last year, underscoring the importance of ongoing education and support to help them navigate the digital landscape safely and effectively.

RBC has articles and guides for Canadians on its Be Cyber Aware website, including the following tips:

Limit the information you share on social platforms. Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know, and even if the privacy settings on your accounts are enabled, try to limit what you share online to avoid scams like spear-phishing.Keep your financial information safe. Never log in to online banking using a link sent through email, text message, or social media. Instead, type the address into your browser. Clear your browser’s memory cache regularly to improve security.Be vigilant when shopping online. Look for the little padlock icon to the left of the URL bar and ensure the website you’re visiting has an address that begins with “https.” Read reviews before you buy to ensure they’re legitimate and trustworthy businesses.Create long, strong passwords. Always use the maximum password length allowed and aim for at least 16 characters. Longer is better, like “passphrases” made of randomly chosen words, that can be easy to remember and hard for someone else to guess.

To learn more, visit rbc.com/cyber.

About the RBC Study
These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of RBC. The survey was conducted in English and French. A sample of 1,894 Canadians over 18 was surveyed online via the Ipsos I-Say panel from May 3 to 7, 2024.

About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 100,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 18 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet.

For more information, please contact:
Kiara Famularo, Communications, RBC, 437-217-7044

SOURCE RBC

The startup plans to showcase its new Instant Quote tool at the home service industry’s premier event at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort

SEATTLE, Oct. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — EDEN, a pioneering digital sales enablement platform in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry, will showcase its Instant Quote tool at its booth during the 2024 Service World Expo at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Oct. 15-17.

EDEN’s booth No. 1303 will be located in Exhibit Hall B near the entrance of the event.

“Service World Expo is the premier conference for residential contractors and is the best place to continue gaining exposure in the HVAC industry,” said Josh Koplin, co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of EDEN. “We can’t wait to show how our innovative solutions can help contractors meet modern customer demands for pricing transparency and speed. Service World Expo is a great opportunity for us to get our product in front of the most forward-thinking individuals in the residential HVAC industry.”

EDEN’s Instant Quote is a novel, web-based tool designed for HVAC contractors to provide personalized system recommendations and estimates online. Leveraging property data and a proprietary database of housing stock information, the platform performs instant heat load calculations for accurate system sizing. It seamlessly integrates information on rebates, tax credits, and savings, enabling contractors to display stacked incentives for high-efficiency systems.

“Many of our customers have doubled their sales teams’ close rates,” Koplin said. “Our tool enhances transparency and empowers contractors to showcase incentives effectively, leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction.”

Service World Expo has been the nation’s leading event for contractors in the HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and smart home space since 2016. The conference’s robust lineup of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and training seminars draws industry leaders from all over the country. This year, the show features keynote speakers Daymond John, CEO of FUBU and The Shark Group, and one of the hosts of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” and Matt Michel, a speaker, writer, and rancher at Ranchlands of Texas, LLC.

For more information about EDEN, visit https://www.e-denhomes.com/.

About EDEN

EDEN’s mission is to empower contractors with innovative technology, helping them to grow their businesses and provide exceptional customer experiences. Founded in 2021, the Seattle-based startup provides a digital sales enablement tool to help HVAC contractors provide quick and accurate instant quotes for HVAC systems. By leveraging technology to provide prices and detailed breakdowns of eligible incentives and expected utility savings online, EDEN helps promote high-efficiency systems that contribute to sustainability and benefits both homeowners and contractors. For more information, visit https://www.e-denhomes.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973
hripley@ripleypr.com 

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SOURCE EDEN

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Oct. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Craneware Group™, a leader in healthcare financial performance and 340B management, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Microsoft through agreements related to the Microsoft Azure cloud platform.

A Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC) streamlines access to Microsoft’s most advanced resources, bolstering The Craneware Group’s long-standing commitment to a cohesive, efficient workflow environment, including cloud optimization for healthcare providers and Azure-based healthcare business solutions.

As part of this extended collaboration, The Craneware Group now features three innovative solutions on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace through their Trisus® cloud platform. These solutions are designed to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and drive business growth for U.S. healthcare leaders by leveraging AI for healthcare financial performance and Microsoft cloud for healthcare.

“We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Microsoft Azure,” said Keith Neilson, CEO and Co-Founder at The Craneware Group. “This partnership will enable us to provide even greater value to our customers and investors, leveraging Azure’s powerful capabilities to enhance our Trisus® platform and deliver cutting-edge solutions to the healthcare industry.”

“We are thrilled to support The Craneware Group in their ongoing digital transformation,” said Gareth Hall, Global Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare Lead, at Microsoft. “By harnessing the power of Microsoft’s Azure cloud and AI capabilities, along with the ingenuity of Craneware’s healthcare revenue integrity solutions, we are not only elevating operational efficiency and financial performance but also enhancing the quality of patient care. As we mark this milestone, we remain committed to working together to help healthcare customers transform their businesses and deliver impactful solutions.”

Featured Solutions:

Trisus Chargemaster: The next-generation version of The Craneware Group’s award-winning automated chargemaster management solution, Chargemaster Toolkit, this dynamic, advanced solution has been awarded Best In KLAS® 14 times.

Trisus Decision Support: A powerful analytics solution that empowers healthcare organizations with actionable insights for improved clinical, operational, and financial outcomes.

Trisus Labor Productivity: A sophisticated workforce management solution, Trisus Labor Productivity optimizes labor resources in healthcare organizations through real-time monitoring and predictive analytics.

Why This Partnership Matters:

“Deepening our partnership with Microsoft Azure is a significant achievement for The Craneware Group,” said Neilson. “This collaboration not only underscores our commitment to delivering top-tier solutions, but also provides our customers with the advanced capabilities and reliability of Microsoft Azure. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings and look forward to helping our customers achieve new levels of success.”

As a new member of the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, The Craneware Group leverages the robust infrastructure and advanced capabilities of their long-standing partnership with Microsoft Azure to deliver these solutions with efficiency, reliability, and scalability. This extended partnership is a significant milestone for the business and demonstrates their commitment to providing cloud optimization for hospitals, AI-driven healthcare financial performance solutions, and Microsoft cloud-based services that meet the evolving needs of their customers.

About The Craneware Group:
The Craneware Group (AIM:CRW.L), the market leader in value cycle solutions for 25 years, collaborates with US healthcare providers to optimize revenue integrity, pricing intelligence, decision support, labor productivity, business of pharmacy, and 340B program management. Customers choose Trisus®, a HITRUST- and SOC2 Type II-certified, SaaS-platform, to achieve operational and financial excellence in pursuit of their healthcare mission — delivering quality care to their communities. The Craneware Group – Transforming the Business of Healthcare. Learn more at www.thecranewaregroup.com

Media Contact:
Mark Montgomery
Chief Marketing Officer
M.Montgomery@craneware.com 

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SOURCE Craneware