Protecting What Matters: Cybersecurity Tips for Our Community
At Rosedale Bank, being part of the community means more than helping our neighbors manage their money. It also means helping you protect what you’ve worked hard to build.
From checking email and paying bills to managing bank accounts and running a business, so much of everyday life happens online. Building a few simple cybersecurity habits can help protect your information, accounts and devices before a problem occurs.
The good news? You don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert. Small steps can make a meaningful difference in helping protect you, your family and your business.
Start With a Strong Password
We know, another password to remember.
But strong, unique passwords remain an important line of defense for your online accounts. Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, especially for your email, financial and other sensitive accounts.
Consider using long, unique passwords or passphrases, and avoid using personal information that could be easy for someone else to guess. A reputable password manager can also help you securely keep track of different passwords.
Add an Extra Layer of Protection
Whenever possible, turn on multi-factor authentication, sometimes called MFA or two-step verification.
Multi-factor authentication requires an additional step to verify that it’s really you trying to access an account. Depending on the service, that could involve an authentication app, security key or another verification method.
Think of it as adding another lock to the door.
Pause Before You Click
Emails, texts and online messages aren’t always what they appear to be. Before clicking a link or downloading an attachment, take a moment to make sure you recognize and trust the sender.
When you’re unsure, go directly to the company’s website or app rather than following a link in the message.
Keep Your Devices Up to Date
Those software update reminders are easy to put off, but updates often include important security improvements.
Keeping your phone, computer, tablet, web browser and apps updated can help protect your devices from known security vulnerabilities. When available, consider turning on automatic updates so you don’t have to remember to do it manually.
Back Up What Matters
Think about all the important information stored on your devices, from family photos and personal documents to important business files. Regularly backing up information can help make it easier to recover if a device is lost, damaged or affected by a cyber incident.
Consider using a trusted cloud service or another secure backup method, and make sure your backups stay up to date.
Be Careful About What You Share
Information shared publicly on social media can sometimes provide details that others could use to learn more about you. Review your privacy settings and be mindful about sharing personal information such as birthdays, travel plans and addresses.
Businesses should also consider what information about employees, vendors and internal processes is publicly available.
Cybersecurity Is Important for Local Businesses, Too
Small businesses are an important part of what makes our community special, and cybersecurity should be part of protecting what you’ve worked hard to build.
Business owners can help reduce risk by educating employees about safe online practices, using multi-factor authentication, keeping systems and software updated and regularly backing up important business information.
Just as important, create an environment where employees feel comfortable stopping and asking questions when something doesn’t look right. Building good cybersecurity habits is something everyone can be a part of.
When in Doubt, Reach Out
One of the advantages of community banking is knowing there are people you can turn to.
If you believe your Rosedale Bank account information may have been compromised or have questions about keeping your account secure, contact us directly at 410.668.4400 or visit one of our branches. We’re here to help.
Cybersecurity can feel like a big topic, but protecting yourself often starts with small steps: use strong passwords, keep your devices updated, protect your information and make online security part of your everyday routine.
At Rosedale Bank, we’re proud to serve the communities we call home. Helping our neighbors protect their financial well-being is another way we can continue looking out for one another.