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AOL User Stat a Helpful Clue

This little tidbit about AOL users came across my radar screen. Research indicates that nearly 46 percent of AOL users say that they always delete e-mail from unknown sources. With AOL the single-largest ISP at 35 percent market share (MSN is number two at 12.1 percent), it's probably a safe bet that other users do the same thing.

What does this mean? Quite a bit, actually. For one, shotgun mass e-mail may have less than a 50-50 chance of being read by someone who doesn't recognize you. I'll elaborate more on this subject in the upcoming May issue of Sounding Line.

Sources:
Cyberatlas
isp-planet

Delay Office Printer Purchases, If You Can

If you're ready to purchase new printers for your office, consider waiting a few weeks until the dust settles. This week and next, HP and Lexmark are rolling out new products and announcing new pricing. The name of the game is better functionality at lower cost.

HP just introduced two new printers on Wednesday (April 2) and announced price cuts on other models. Lexmark's new offerings will be introduced Monday, April 7. Lexmark is also making a new push into the growing MFP market (multifunction peripherals that combine printer, copier, and scanner capability), as businesses are looking to replace older analog equipment with new, beefed up digital technology.

Admittedly, printers rank fairly low on the technology totem pole. Their budget impact is relatively low, so many don't make the effort to seriously shop around. But with new models coming out from the number 1 and 2 printer manufacturers, now might be a good time to take another look.

For more info: zdnet

New Study Says Business Not Prepared for E-Risks

A study prepared by Assurex Global and Clearswift reports that the majority of businesses are ill prepared for dealing with e-disasters, including legal claims, malicious hackers, viruses, and security breaches. A news item about the study appeared online in the March 18 issue of Insurance NewsNet.

The report concludes, "…few employers have implemented a comprehensive e-risk management program to limit electronic exposures and reduce liability. Consequently, employers should brace for e-disasters that may cost employers millions in lost productivity, computer assets, credibility, and customer confidence."

Unfortunately, the news story that reported the study said nothing about the survey methodology, who was surveyed, how many were surveyed, which industries were surveyed, etc. But an Assurex partner, the large San Francisco agency of Woodruff-Sawyer, was quoted, suggesting perhaps that part of the survey included insurance-related businesses.

If you read the news item at the link below, beware that Clearswift is a provider of software for managing and securing electronic communications. You may get the impression, as did I, that the study results might be something of a self-serving "advertorial," hoping you get the message and give Clearswift a call.

Despite my jaundiced eye, the study nevertheless highlights a legitimate concern for insurance agents who are dependent on technology and the transmission of data. The Assurex-Clearswift study is buttressed by similar research from the likes of Gartner, Forrester, ZDNet, and others. All in all, the news report and study should raise awareness and motivate agents to pay attention to security issues.

For more info: insurancenewsnet

Can this be true? One in four Americans thinks it's OK to defraud insurance companies.

A recent widely circulated news item highlighted a number of eye-opening stats. But the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud is doing something about it. This fact-filled Web site (http://www.insurancefraud.org) provides lots of good info for both insurance professionals and consumers.

But here's my question to agents: What obligation, if any, do agents have in detecting and reporting insurance fraud? Can you be held legally responsible if you let something slip through that's later detected and prosecuted as fraud? Do you provide any kind of consumer education about fraud? If so, what? E-mail me your responses.

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