IT Tip of the Month

January 2026 Tip of the Month

Protect Yourself Against Card Skimmers

Card skimmers are hidden devices criminals attach to ATMs, gas pumps, or payment terminals to steal card information. Before using a machine, check for anything loose, crooked, or unusual. If it looks tampered with, choose another location. When entering your PIN, cover the keypad with your hand to block hidden cameras. Use credit cards instead of debit cards when possible, as they offer better fraud protection. Finally, monitor your bank statements regularly and report suspicious charges right away - early action makes all the difference.

December 2025 Tip of the Month

As you shop for gifts this season, remember to stay alert for online scams.

Stick with trusted retailers, avoid clicking on suspicious “delivery failed” texts or emails, and consider using a credit card instead of a debit card for better fraud protection. When shopping or checking accounts, try to avoid public Wi-Fi, and keep an eye on your statements for any unusual activity.

A little extra caution can help keep your holidays merry - and your money safe!

November 2025 Tip of the Month

Kids grow up surrounded by technology, so teaching online safety is as essential as teaching them to cross the street. We urge you to talk with your kids early and often about what’s appropriate to share and remind them that what goes online can stay there. Consider setting family rules for screen time and creating device-free zones like bedrooms or the dinner table. You can also use parental controls and review app permissions to help protect your child’s privacy. Most importantly, keep communication open. If something online feels “off,” kids should know they can come to you first.

October 2025 Tip of the Month

Smart homes and connected devices make life easier, but they can also open the door to cyber risks if left unprotected. Here are a few simple steps you can take to protect your household:

• Secure Your Wi-Fi Router - Your router is the gateway to all your connected devices. Change the default administrator password, use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, and choose a strong Wi-Fi password that isn’t easy to guess.
• Set Up a Guest Network - Most modern routers let you create a separate Wi-Fi network for visitors. This keeps your personal devices, like laptops, smart speakers, and security cameras more secure, even if a guest’s device is infected.
• Keep Devices Updated - Software updates often include security patches. Make it a habit to regularly update your router’s firmware, smart TVs, doorbell cameras, and any other connected gadgets.
• Unplug What You Don’t Use – Do you have an old smart plug or camera sitting idle? Disconnect it from the network until you need it. Fewer connected devices means fewer targets for hackers.
• Consider Smart Device Placement - If you have smart cameras or microphones, avoid pointing them at sensitive areas inside the home. A little strategic placement can protect your privacy. 

By treating your home network like you would your front door - locked, monitored, and well-maintained - you’ll make it much harder for cyber intruders to get in. 

September 2025 Tip of the Month

Public Wi-Fi isn’t always public-friendly. Think of public Wi-Fi like a conversation in a crowded room. You wouldn’t read your bank statement out loud in the middle of a store or restaurant, right? Then don’t log into your bank app on unsecured networks. 

Instead: 

• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your connection.
• Use your mobile hotspot if you're handling anything sensitive.
• Stick to casual browsing, and save the banking, shopping, and bill-paying for home. 

Remember - that free Wi-Fi might not be as safe as you think it is!

August 2025 Tip of the Month

The City’s IT Department reminds residents to be cautious when it comes to unknown USB drives. If you find a USB device and don’t know its origin, do not plug it into your computer, phone, or any other device. Cybercriminals often load USB drives with harmful software that can infect your device the moment they are connected. Even drives that appear new or legitimate can pose serious risks. 

Stay safe with these quick tips: 

1. Never plug in unknown or found USB drives.
2. Use only encrypted, trusted USB drives.
3. Report suspicious drives to local authorities. 

Bottom line: If you didn’t get the USB from a trusted source, don’t use it. 

July 2025 Tip of the Month

In today’s digital world, the City’s IT Department cautions that phishing emails are among the most common threats to your personal information. These messages often look like they are from trusted sources such as banks, delivery services, or even government agencies, but they contain links that lead to fake websites or that download malware. To stay safe, never click on suspicious links or open unexpected attachments. Check the sender’s email address carefully, and when in doubt, contact the organization directly using a verified phone number or website. Protecting your information starts with a healthy dose of skepticism online!

November 2024 Tip of the Month

Like others, you probably have many applications, or apps as they are commonly called, installed on your smart phone. Whether you have an iPhone or Android, please take steps to protect your device from malicious apps by doing the following: 

• Never download apps from a browser. To be safe, only install those that are available in your device's app store.
• Be cautious when installing apps with bad reviews.
• Install app updates when they are available. Developers often patch security issues in subsequent releases.
• Be mindful of permissions an app is requesting, and only grant those that are necessary to apps you trust. 

October 2024 Tip of the Month

Be on the lookout for possible “smishing” attacks. So, what are smishing attacks? They are text messages that mimic phishing emails. The name “smishing” is a combination of the words “SMS” and “phishing.” As with phishing emails, be mindful of the following: 

• If the message is unsolicited and from someone you are not affiliated with, it is better to ignore the message and block the sender.
• Any messages that attempt to rush you into taking immediate action.
• If the text message sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 
• Text messages that request personal information or direct you to a website asking for personal information. 
• Any messages requesting payments. 

If you receive a text message that looks legitimate and you are curious if it is real, contact the organization or company using a known number. Do not call the number on the text message. 

September 2024 Tip of the Month

Using unique passwords for different websites reduces the risk of hackers gaining access to your personal information. If one website is compromised, hackers may try the username and password combination on multiple websites. The City’s IT Department shares the following tips to help you protect your sensitive information:

• Refrain from using the following information, which could easily be seen on social media:
  • Pet names
  • Birthdays or other important dates 
  • Cities you have lived in 
  • Common words such as “password” or “welcome”
  • Family member names 
• Use a combination of letters, numbers and special characters.
• Longer passwords are more secure. 

July 2024 Tip of the Month

The City’s IT Department compiled the following list of tips to help keep you safe from cybercriminals:

• Think twice about clicking on a link, particularly if it arrived in an unsolicited email.
• Set up two-factor authentication whenever possible (especially for banking websites).
• Regularly install updates on computers and phones.
• Never use the same password on all websites.
• Whenever possible, use credit cards in lieu of debit cards online.
• Install anti-virus software.
• Use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi.
• Avoid software downloads unless you are certain they are safe.

June 2024 Tip of the Month

Many people use their cell phones, rather than computers, for nearly everything, but few think about security when it comes to cell phones. The following tips could help you to keep your smart phone secure:

• Always lock your home screen on your device.
• Consider using spam filters for phone calls.
• Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible. 
• Ensure regular updates are installed. If your cell phone is older and the manufacturer no longer releases updates, consider replacing your phone.
• Turn off Bluetooth and wi-fi when not actively using your phone.
• Use a VPN when connecting to public wi-fi.

Taking these precautions will help ensure your device is as protected as possible.

April 2024 Tip of the Month

Cyber criminals sometimes use what is referred to as callback phishing to prey on unsuspecting targets. These bad actors typically use urgent scare tactics that are meant to spur action. When the person calls, they will ask for sensitive data, such as bank account information or social security numbers. Below are a few tips to prevent cybercrimes from affecting you.

• Never give out personal or sensitive information over the phone.
• Be wary of any emails that claim to be urgent. These can cause you to react impulsively, which criminals hope to see happen.
• Double-check phone numbers with an official company website before calling them back.

March 2024 Tip of the Month

How much do you know about Artificial Intelligence (AI)? 

AI is a computer program that can think and make decisions on its own based on information provided to it. It can answer questions and process large amounts of data. There are many online instances of AI, with the most popular being ChatGPT, which is an AI chatbot capable of answering questions while providing natural language responses. Unfortunately, with the rise of these services, it is important to recognize that many scammers are now honing their skills and using these tools to fool users into believing they are legitimate. 

To avoid falling victim to potential scams, always follow safe email guidelines including the following:

• Do not send sensitive or identifiable information, such as a social security number or bank account information through email.
• Use antivirus software.
• Use a spam filter.
• Be cautious when clicking links in emails.
• Do not open attachments from companies or people you do not know.