National Cyber Security Month

It’s not uncommon in our highly technological day-to-day activities to hear stories about the risks associated with modern business and personal online interactions. From spam email to swiping our debit cards to fill our gas tanks, the best way to prevent those risks is to be aware and alert to them.

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, but in any month, the most important key to preventing risks is Awareness. Ethan Kobos, one of our 2020 Dakota West Scholarship recipients, is studying Cyber Security and we asked him about basic precautions he's learned during his studies.

“The easiest way to improve your security is twofold. One, make every password something different from other websites. If one of your passwords is somehow found, then whoever has that information could easily find any account associated with it and take that too.

“Two, make strong passwords. The best passwords are not a long list of numbers that you won't remember unless you write them down, it is a sentence, a movie quote, a saying, anything that you can remember while still being secure.”

Think about the ways you can enhance your prevention skills. Even Ethan, who studies cyber security preparations every day, recognizes the importance of staying aware of new risks.

“The biggest change in my awareness has been the realization that security is not simply software that can invade your computer, but the physical side of security. While finding the password to your wifi may be hard, it would be rather easy to walk up to a router and plug in, no need for a password. It is important to not just focus on one side of security, as they both can lead to an opportunity on the other.”

Dakota West always keeps your security top of mind, but taking an active role in your own security provides an important tool in your overall online safety. Commit time to learn more about how you can be more aware, and even more proactive, in protecting yourself at cisecurity.org or the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency website. Together, we will work with you and for you to keep your finances safe.

Get Help Getting Started Online

QUESTION: How many Dakota West members utilize online or mobile account services?

ANSWER: That’s a trick question – everyone has access to their accounts electronically, but you may not know all the features available to you. If you think online services aren’t your cup of tea, or you only use one or two features, we designed our new Online Access Resource Center to guide you through all our features you’d like to use, or get started using.

Starting today, you can learn about every feature of our online services, from logging on, to updating your address, to reviewing your statements. Our app is designed to give you access to your accounts all day every day, even outside of our branch hours. Our Online Access Resource Center provides answers and information when you need them.

Do you want help setting up a bill payment?

Did you forget your password?

Do you want to send money to your daughter?

All of these features are available directly to you, and you can use the Online Access Resource Center to get instructions, tips, and quick-reference guides to walk you through each service.

If you’d like a hand getting started using our online or mobile services, click here to access the site. Once you log in, you can look for the Help & User Guides link within the Settings to be taken directly to the Online Access Resource Center. And if you’d still like a little personal help online, we have a special team of Online Access Resource Team Members, but you know us better as Dakota West employees. Let us help you get started online.