Identity Guard
Identity Guard is an identity theft protection service launched by Intersections Inc. in 2001.[1] Intersections Inc. had originally only offered monitoring of the three major credit bureaus and fraud alerts, but the inception of Identity Guard brought on various services to include lost wallet protection and anti-virus software.[2]
Though the product previously made news after being ranked the number one identity protection service by PC World Magazine during its initial release year,[3] it again hit news in May 2013 when it combined with Experian to provide heightened levels of security to customers.[4]
Products
Identity Guard offers three packages which have varying levels of identity security. The highest cost package provided is known as Platinum+ protection and costs $25 per month.[5] This product also includes kID Sure, which was launched in 2011, to provide identity monitoring for customers' children.[6] Since a child's personal information can be used to apply for bank accounts, loans, or utility services,[7] Intersections Inc. appealed to parents when it put out a press release calling kID Sure "the most comprehensive child identity protection service available".[8]
Identity Guard was ranked as the best overall product in Javelin’s Fifth Annual ID Protection Services Scorecard, beating out competitors such as AllClear ID and LifeLock Credit Score Manager.[9] While Identity Guard didn't rank first in any specific categories, it was ranked as "best in class" due to its consistently high scores in all categories.[10]
Through a partnership with ZoneAlarm, Identity Guard's Platinum and Platinum+ products also offer anti-virus protection,[11] which is essential in protecting personal information since hacking attacks were reported as the leading culprits of data breaches in 2011.[12]
Awards and recognition
- 2008 - Ranked #1 in identity theft protection services from PC World Magazine
- 2009 - Ranked "Best in Class" in Javelin Strategy & Research's examination of personal identity information monitoring products
- 2011 - Ranked "Best Overall" in Javelin Strategy & Research's examination of personal identity information monitoring products
- 2012 - Platinum product ranked "Best in Prevention" and "Best in Class Overall" by Javelin Strategy & Research[13][14]
References
- ↑ "Intersections Inc. Launches Identity Guard Basic". Bloomberg. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ "Intersections Inc. Timeline". Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Tynan, Dan. "Identity-Theft Protection: What Services Can You Trust?". Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ "Identity Guard Joins Forces with Experian to Provide Customers with Real-Time Identity Validation Alerts". Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Doyle, Jessica (August 19, 2013). "Is identity theft monitoring worth your money?". Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ "Intersections Inc. Timeline". Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ "Child Identity Theft". Federal Trade Commission. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ "Intersections Inc. Releases the Most Comprehensive Child Identity Protection Service Available". Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ "Rating the Products that Protect Identities in a Social, Mobile and Cyber Age". Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Simon, Jeremy. "Study: ID protection tools work, but you'd better comparison shop". Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ "ZoneAlarm Identity Protection Center". Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ Schwartz, Mathew (January 12, 2012). "Hack Attacks Now Leading Cause Of Data Breaches". Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ "Rating the Products that Protect Identities in a Social, Mobile and Cyber Age". Retrieved 11 September 2013.
- ↑ "Intersections Inc. Timeline". Retrieved 11 September 2013.