.webp)
Keep Online Threats at Bay
Cybercrime is becoming more and more prevalent each day. With the advent of AI and its rapid expansion, the techniques those scammers employ to steal your data and gain access to your accounts is becoming more sophisticated by the day, too. Luckily, with a few smart strategies, you can keep yourself and your accounts protected. Farmers Savings Bank is here with some general online safety tips to help you lock down control of your accounts and keep yourself safe whether at home or on the road.
Helpful Links
Protection Through Passwords
- Strong Passwords: Make sure that your passwords use a combination of letters and symbols to create a strong, hard-to-guess password. For example, instead of using the password "colesburg", opt for the stronger alternative of "C0!3sburg". Substituting numbers and symbols makes the password much more difficult to decode.
- Individual Passwords: It can be tempting to use the same password for all of your accounts. After all, it's much easier to remember one password than it is 5, 10, or more. However, that puts all of your accounts at risk, even with a strong password. It's always better to have individual usernames and passwords for every account.
- Keep Passwords Safe: In conjunction with the previous tip, make sure you're keeping a master list of usernames and passwords and keep them in a secure place. Telling your browser to remember them isn't secure. Instead, opt for a secure password storage solution.
Safeguard Your Computer
- Antivirus Software: Make sure that your computer has a strong antivirus program installed and in use, and that the program is updated to the latest version so you're not vulnerable to new threats.
- Software Updates: Ensure that automatic software updates are turned on for your machine to keep your programs, web browsers, and operating system updated and protected.
- Plug-and-Protect: Any time you use an external device, such as a USB or external hard drive, make sure you take a moment to scan them with your antivirus program prior to use.
- Secure Browsing: Whenever you're browsing online, but especially when you're banking or shopping, make sure that the sites you're using have security enabled. This means that the URL begins with https://, and that there's a closed padlock in the URL address bar.
Vigilance is the Key to Safety
No matter how many steps you take to secure your device, the key to keeping your accounts safe ultimately lies with you. It's important to remain vigilant against threats and to remember that, when in doubt it's better to be safe than sorry. If you receive an email or text message that you weren't expecting and that feels suspicious, it's best to delete it -- even if you recognize the source. After deleting, reach out to the company or individual directly through a number you trust to confirm whether or not the communication was legitimate.
Hang Up on Phone Scams
The team at Farmers Savings Bank will NEVER call or email you asking for any personal or account information. As a general rule, financial institutions and government agencies do not reach out to contact you for this information. If you receive a call or email from anyone claiming to be from either of these, simply hang up the phone and reach out through a number you trust to confirm the communications.
If someone claiming to be with Farmers Savings Bank has reached out to you and you're concerned you may have provided them with sensitive information, please call us immediately and let us help you resolve the issue.