• Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices

May 28, 2025

Franklin County Times
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyles
  • Obituaries
  • Records
  • Subscribe
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a news tip
  • Submit a photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Birthday announcement
  • Engagement announcement
  • Wedding announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
    Franklin County Times
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
    Money Matters: Become more cyber secure by following these tips
    COLUMNS--FEATURE SPOT, Lifestyles, Opinion, Z - TOP HOME
     By  Staff Reports Published 
    5:02 pm Monday, December 20, 2021

    Money Matters: Become more cyber secure by following these tips

    As our screen time ever increases, you can be sure cybercriminals and malicious activity also continue to grow. Your financial institution invests a lot of money, time and energy to be sure they’re keeping your financial livelihood safeguarded – but just as important is what we are doing on our own to protect ourselves from becoming cyber-event victims.

    Be proactive and relentless in your efforts to protect your personal financial information. Here are a few tips to keep at the forefront.

    1

    Think before you click, always! Scams get more sophisticated by the nanosecond. Do not click on any link if you don’t feel 100 percent sure about it, especially attachments in email and text messages. When unsure, instead of clicking, go directly to the source. Package delivery notifications are a common trap. Even if you’re expected something, it’s safest always to go back to the source to confirm.

    2

    Choose strong passwords. Yes, we are all on password overload, but they are crucial to safety. Never share passwords and don’t store them on your devices. If you get hacked, everything is already unlocked for the bad guys. Robust passwords are the locks on the cyber doors and windows of your financial house.

    3

    Keep a handle on your financial correspondence. Review your account activity regularly and be on the lookout for anything suspicious. Also, make sure your financial institution has your correct contact information. It’s amazing how many times people get a new phone number and never tell their bank – and that is the number the bank calls when there is an issue with your account.

    4

    Use your own device – and secure it. Avoid public computers or devices when accessing your financial information. Public computers can contain software that capture passwords and PINs. Further, be sure to secure your device by installing updates as they become available.

    5

    Enable multi-factor authentication, a key control to significantly reduce the likelihood of a cybercriminal taking over a customer account. MFA uses two or more different types of identifiers to let you log into your account, such as a password plus a code sent by text message or a physical identifier, such as fingerprint, voice or facial recognition.

    If you ever think your personal information has been stolen or compromised, take immediate action. First, notify the firm or affected account as soon as possible. Then, change passwords on the breached account and any other account that has the same login. You can also put a fraud alert on your file with each of the credit bureaus.

    Also on Franklin County Times
    VFW Post 5184 Memorial Weekend
    News
    VFW Post 5184 Memorial Weekend
    Griffin Traylor 
    May 21, 2025
    VFW Post #5184 will place 2,000 American flags on veterans graves throughout Franklin County Saturday, May 24 – Monday, 26. 
    GFWC Book Lovers Study Club receives awards
    Opinion
    HERE AND NOW
    GFWC Book Lovers Study Club receives awards
    May 21, 2025
    The GFWC Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs held its 130th annual state convention at the Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel and Conference Center ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    RMS students display skills at STEAM Expo
    Lifestyles
    RMS students display skills at STEAM Expo
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    May 21, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE – The addition of an art category broadened participation in the middle school’s annual science fair. Now in its third year, the Science,...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Nonprofit believes canines should get a second chance
    Main, Z - News Main
    Nonprofit believes canines should get a second chance
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    May 21, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE A grassroots effort to address canine welfare in Franklin County has grown into an organized nonprofit focused on education, fostering an...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Poison hemlock: Toxic plant becoming more widespread
    Main, Z - News Main
    Poison hemlock: Toxic plant becoming more widespread
    maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    May 21, 2025
    SPRUCE PINE – Franklin County residents are urged to be on guard against a highly toxic plant that is becoming more prevalent. Joel Pounders, a natura...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    ‘Powering Growth’: Economic strength begins with energy
    Opinion
    ‘Powering Growth’: Economic strength begins with energy
    May 21, 2025
    America’s economic future hinges on energy — its reliability, affordability, and availability. Nowhere is that future being written more decisively th...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    Sports
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    By David Glovach For the FCT 
    May 21, 2025
    OXFORD — The tears started when Belgreen gathered for the handshake line. They continued when the Bulldogs gathered their things and exited the dugout...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    Sports
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    Bart Moss For the FCT 
    May 21, 2025
    The Belgreen Bulldogs’ inspired run through the Class 2A state softball tournament came to an end in the Final Four last week, marking the culmination...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    ❮❯

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Latest Local News
    VFW Post 5184 Memorial Weekend
    VFW Post 5184 Memorial Weekend
    May 21, 2025
    Franklin jobless rate falls to 2.4%
    May 21, 2025
    Ex-director of music hall must pay back $64,719
    Ex-director of music hall must pay back $64,719
    May 21, 2025
    Red Bay opts not to take over cemetery
    Red Bay opts not to take over cemetery
    May 14, 2025
    Morgan wins cybersecurity award
    Morgan wins cybersecurity award
    May 14, 2025

    More Local News

    Latest Stories
    Birthdays
    May 21, 2025
    Franklin jobless rate falls to 2.4%
    May 21, 2025
    Land Transactions
    May 21, 2025
    Workforce diploma option is a change that’s long overdue
    May 21, 2025
    Obituaries
    May 21, 2025
    Latest Sports
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    May 21, 2025
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    May 21, 2025
    RHS tennis player selected for All Star match
    RHS tennis player selected for All Star match
    May 21, 2025
    RHS rocketry team places seventh in nation
    RHS rocketry team places seventh in nation
    May 21, 2025
    2 Belgreen Anglers are state champions
    2 Belgreen Anglers are state champions
    May 14, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Special Sections
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Special Sections
      • Sponsored Content

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Submit a Classified Ad
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © 2025, Franklin County Times