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October is a great time to take a closer look at your online safety habits, especially when it comes to your financial information. As part of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Solvay Bank reminds customers to stay vigilant against scams and fraud and to take simple steps to safeguard their accounts.

In today's connected world, cybersecurity is more crucial than ever. With online banking and mobile payment apps becoming increasingly popular, it's easier than ever for cybercriminals to target unsuspecting individuals and businesses. By taking a few simple precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a cyberattack.

How We're Protecting You

At Solvay Bank, we're committed to providing our customers with the highest level of security and trust. Here are some ways we're working to safeguard your financial information:

• Conducting regular security audits and updates to keep our systems protected.
• Dedicating resources to strengthen controls across our payment suites and directing investments toward adaptive fraud mitigation and risk-reduction measures.
• Introducing products and services to keep customers safe, like multi-factor authentication, fraud alerts and PositivePay to prevent check fraud for business customers.
• Implementing training for our staff to recognize and prevent cyber threats.
• Sharing cybersecurity tips and education through seminars, our blog and social media channels.
• Upgrading our digital banking systems for improved security and user experience (coming soon).
• Converting credit and debit cards to contactless for added security.
• Promoting the use of digital wallets to further protect your information.

Your Role in Online Safety

While we're doing our part to protect your financial information, there are also steps you can take to strengthen your online safety:

• Create Strong Passwords: Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to make your passwords more secure. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts. Consider using a password manager to keep track of your login details.
• Be Cautious with Emails and Texts: If you receive a message asking for personal information or urging you to click a link, pause and verify before responding. Scammers often impersonate trusted sources to steal your data.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a code sent to your phone or email when logging in.
• Keep Your Devices Updated: Regular software updates include critical security patches. Set your devices to update automatically so you’re always protected against the latest threats.
• Set Up Account Alerts: These notifications can help you spot unusual activity on your accounts early. Make a habit of reviewing your statements regularly, and contact us immediately if you notice anything suspicious.
• Use Secure Wi-Fi Networks: Avoid performing banking or entering payment information over public Wi-Fi, which is often unsecured. If you need to access sensitive information on public networks, use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your connection.
• Log Out When Finished: Always log out of your accounts, especially on shared or public devices, to prevent unauthorized access.
• Back Up Your Data: Regularly save important files to a secure cloud service or external drive. This ensures you can recover your information in case of a cyberattack or hardware failure.

Stay Informed and Stay Safe

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great reminder of how vital it is to protect our digital lives. As technology advances, so do the risks, making it essential to stay vigilant. At Solvay Bank, we encourage our customers to use this time to review their cybersecurity habits and stay informed about best practices. If you have any questions or need assistance, please visit your local branch or give us a call — we’re here to help keep you safe.