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TUTORIAL/FAQ

TUTORIAL/FAQ

Short Tutorial/FAQ – What Are the Most Common Passwords?


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Question: What passwords do people use most?

Answer: Nordpass, an online password manager, released its list of 2024’s most used passwords. Here are the top 10:

  1. 123456
  2. 123456789
  3. 12345678
  4. password
  5. qwerty123
  6. qwerty1
  7. 111111
  8. 12345
  9. secret
  10. 123123
It will come as no surprise that these passwords are also the worst ones to use, since they’re extremely easy for hackers to guess and for automated software to quickly “crack.” People choose simple passwords because they’re easy to remember, but that convenience comes at too high of a price in terms of security.

If you’re using any of the passwords on this list (or similar ones), it’s time to do better. Create longer passwords that are a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols such as “%,” “!” and “@.” Don’t include easily guessable information like names, birthdays, and common words, and never use the same password for multiple accounts.

Consider using a password manager, a software application that securely stores all your online account passwords in one place. This allows you to generate strong, unique passwords for each site and access them with only one “master password” you need to remember.

CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Stay Alert – Fake PayPal Invoice Scams are on the Rise

Watch Out For Charity Scams The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline has recently seen a rise in reports of PayPal scams. Cybercriminals use the payment system’s invoicing tool to send victims fake invoices for large purchases. When the invoices are sent, PayPal sends an official notification email to the recipient, which makes the otherwise fake invoices appear legitimate. The scammers include an official-looking message in the “seller note to customer” section of the fake invoice, encouraging the victim to call a fake customer service line to prevent the charges from being processed.

If the victim calls this line, the scammers attempt to fool them into paying the invoice or giving them credit card or bank information. In some cases, victims are asked to install software they claim will help with the recovery process. Instead, this software records the victim’s keystrokes or gives the cybercriminals remote access to the victim’s computer.

How to avoid PayPal scams:
  • If you receive a suspicious invoice or money request, don’t pay it.
  • Don’t call any phone numbers in the invoice note or open suspicious URLs.
  • Never send money to a cryptocurrency wallet mentioned in an invoice or money request.
If you receive a suspicious invoice, you’re encouraged to report it by logging into your PayPal account at paypal.com or by using the PayPal app.

SRT Annual Meeting is Thursday, June 19

SRT Annual Meeting is Thursday, June 19

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MINOT, N.D. – SRT Communications will hold its annual meeting and director election on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the North Dakota State Fair Center in Minot.

Registration and voting begin at 5:00 p.m. and officially close at 7:00 p.m. A catered dinner will be served 5:00-7:00 p.m. and live entertainment featuring Chloe Raye will begin at 6:00 p.m.

The business meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. and will include a report to the members, financial updates, and election results.

The following candidates are up for election:

District 1:   Allan Engh from Sherwood, Incumbent

District 2:   Tom Jespersen from Velva, Incumbent

District 3:   Stuart Rothe from Newburg, Incumbent

District 4:   Deven Mantz from Minot
                       Benjamin Roberston from Minot, Incumbent

Election results will also be posted on srt.com/annualmeeting.

Members are encouraged to bring the back page of the newsletter they received in the mail to be entered to win prizes.

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SRT Distributes $2.94 Million in Capital Credits to its Members

SRT Distributes $2.94 Million in Capital Credits to its Members

News_capitalcreditsGrAY

The SRT Board of Directors approved the distribution of $2,942,290 in capital credits back to members for 2025.

Credits will include a portion of the 2001 and/or 2024 allocations. Checks mail in early June.

“Belonging to a cooperative is much more than purchasing a service. Our members receive rewards for doing business with us each year,” said Kristi Miller, SRT Board President. “We always look forward to sharing the cooperative’s success and stability with our valued membership.”

Here is how SRT determines and distributes capital credits:

  1. SRT tracks the money members spend on communication services throughout the year.
  2. At the end of the fiscal year, SRT determines whether there are excess revenues, called margins.
  3. The margins are allocated to members as capital credits based on the amount spent by the member during the year.
  4. The Board of Directors decides to retire, or pay, the capital credits when the cooperative’s financial condition allows.
  5. Members are notified how and when they will receive their capital credit distribution.

Members should inform SRT of changes to their current mailing address to ensure they receive any future capital credit retirements.

For more information on capital credits, visit srt.com/capitalcredits or call 701-858-1200.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

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SRT Chief Financial Officer Perry Erdmann Retires

SRT Chief Financial Officer Perry Erdmann Retires

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MINOT, N.D. –Perry Erdmann, Chief Financial Officer, will retire from SRT Communications on June 1 after serving the cooperative for 23 years.

Erdmann joined SRT as Controller in 2002 before advancing to CFO in 2004, the position he held until retirement. As CFO, he led SRT’s financial strategy through several defining moments in the cooperative’s history. These include the transition from telephone to broadband and the sale of SRT’s cellular tower portfolio. In addition, Erdmann oversaw all financial aspects of SRT’s fiber build, such as securing loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local entities.

“From the beginning, Perry has navigated SRT through significant change and growth, always with an eye toward sustainability and impeccable accounting practices,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “His leadership over SRT’s financial health has positioned us for success throughout the cooperative’s evolution. For more than two decades, Perry’s commitment to our members has supported SRT’s vision. We are grateful for his service and wish him the best.”

Erdmann was succeeded by Jessamy Fornshell as SRT’s Chief Financial Officer. She joined the cooperative in May.

SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs roughly 180 people and serves more than 25,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.srt.com.

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