FAQ

I already have desktop security software. What is different about this solution?

According to statistics, fewer than 25% of households are fully protected because they do not: keep their desktop security software up to date; enable their firewall; or keep their other applications, browsers, plug-ins and/or operating systems up to date. The sheer effort required in doing all of the above for multiple computers in the household is a significant challenge. While these steps are all essential, the Kindsight Identity Theft Protection service adds an additional layer of protection by analyzing your Internet traffic for the presence of threats in your home network.  It’s always-on, always-up-to-date and cannot be disabled by criminals because it is embedded in the Internet service provider’s (ISP) network. The Kindsight service alerts you to evidence of identity theft and other attacks and provides step-by-step instructions to fix the problem.

Do I need to install anything on my computer?

The Kindsight service is embedded in the ISP’s network so it does not require anything to be installed on your computer. Nothing is downloaded, and it does not result in conflicts with any other software on the computer. It is always on and always-up-to-date and does not affect the performance of your computer or your Internet connection.

Will it slow down my computer?

No, with the Kindsight service, there is no software to install on your computer and nothing to download since the equipment is embedded in the ISP network. This means that the Kindsight service does not affect the performance of your computer or your Internet connection.

Will it slow down my Internet browsing?

No, with the Kindsight service, there is no software to install on your computer and nothing to download since the equipment is embedded in the ISP network. This means that the Kindsight service does not affect the performance of your computer or your Internet connection.

How do I receive alerts?

With the Kindsight service, when there is an alert, you will be notified via email, SMS/text message or through the Kindsight portal, depending on your preferences, and given step-by-step instructions for fixing the problem so you can protect your home network from harm.

How does Kindsight work?

The Kindsight Identity Theft Protection service analyzes your Internet traffic for threats that can lead to identity theft. The Kindsight service acts like your identity theft “burglar alarm”.  If it detects the presence of an online threat (i.e. break-in), that was missed by your security software (i.e. the burglar picked the lock on the door), it will send you an alert (i.e. sound the alarm) to ensure your personal information stays safe. In the event of an alert, you are given step-by-step instructions for fixing the problem.

What kind of threats are analyzed?

The Kindsight service analyzes your Internet traffic for threats that lead to identity theft and other attacks. The service can detect thousands of different threats that have been categorized into identity theft threats, cybercrime theats, computer viruses, spyware, phishing and poisonous site threats. The service is always-on and always up-to-date so that you are alerted to the threats as they occur.

Do I receive this service automatically from my ISP?

The Kindsight service is a choice for users. Your ISP will send you an initial message asking you if you’d like to join. After you opt-in to the Kindsight service, you will receive: a service activation notice via email; a notice with your monthly Internet service invoice (either by mail and/or online); as well as a monthly email that shows your security status, and, if you selected the no-cost option, a reminder of this consent and links to how to disable the service or change their subscription type. 

How does my service provider offer this at no cost?

Like many Internet applications, you have the option to add the Kindsight service at no cost. If you select this option, your ISP will analyze your Internet traffic to display relevant ads on its own and selected partner websites. You will not see more ads or pop-ups because of this service. While other online companies also offer no-cost services, the Kindsight service is built around privacy practices that surpass those implemented by today’s leading online application providers.

Will I see more ads or pop ups?

You will not see more ads or pop-ups because of this service. If you enable the Kindsight service at no-cost, we will analyze your Internet traffic to substitute ads you would normally see on our own and selected partner websites with ads that may be more relevant to people like you.

Do you analyze all of the web sites I go to?

The technology does not analyze or score, for advertising purposes, web sites classified as sensitive such as those related to adult content, religion or politics. That traffic, like all traffic, will be analyzed only to detect security threats.

How does the relevant advertising work?

Like many other Internet applications, your ISP can offer the Kindsight Identity Theft Protection service at no cost through relevant advertising. If you select the no-cost option, your ISP will analyze your Internet traffic for threats and to display relevant ads on its own and selected partner web sites. You will not see more ads or pop-ups because of this service.

To offer this service at no-cost, our technology will continually score the online activity related to your household Internet protocol (IP) address.  Scoring is the process of analyzing, but not storing, web sites visited and searches conducted to assign a numeric value to various interest categories. Using your household IP address, relevant ads may be shown on the pages you visit if the scoring suggests an interest in a pre-existing category. These scores are not shared with advertisers or publishers. 

Your privacy is important to us. Our technology will not store or use personal information such as your name, address, or financial data. It will not store web sites or searches against a person, computer or household. Our technology does not install software on any computers nor does it read e-mail or instant messages.

You may cancel this service at any time or switch to the monthly subscription option.  

What type of data do you collect about me?

We do not collect any data that can be attribute to an actual person, computer or browser. If you receive the Kindsight service at no-cost, our technology continually scores, but does not store, web sites visited and searches to assign a numeric value to various interest categories as the Internet traffic is being analyzed for threats. If you select the paid subscription option for the Kindsight service, your Internet traffic is not scored while being analyzed for threats.