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TUTORIAL/FAQ

TUTORIAL/FAQ

Short Tutorial/FAQ – What Security Steps Should I Take Before Scanning QR Codes?

Download Graphics to View Question: Are there security steps I should take before scanning QR codes?

Answer: The FBI recently warned that QR codes are being altered to send users to malicious sites to steal login and financial information. For this reason, you should take precautions when using QR codes.

Here’s how to protect yourself:
  • Once you scan a QR code, check the URL to make sure it is the intended site and looks authentic. A malicious domain name may be similar to the intended URL but with typos or a misplaced letter.

  • Practice caution when entering login, personal, or financial information from a site navigated to from a QR code.

  • If scanning a physical QR code, ensure the code has not been tampered with, such as with a sticker placed on top of the original code.

  • Do not download an app from a QR code. Use your phone’s app store for a safer download.

  • If you receive an email stating a payment failed from a company you recently made a purchase with and the company states you can only complete the payment through a QR code, call the company to verify. Locate the company’s phone number through a trusted site rather than a number provided in the email.

  • Do not download a QR code scanner app. This increases your risk of downloading malware onto your device. Most phones have a built-in scanner through the camera app.

  • If you receive a QR code that you believe to be from someone you know, reach out to them through a known number or address to verify that the code is from them.

  • Avoid making payments through a site navigated to from a QR code. Instead, manually enter a known and trusted URL to complete the payment. If you believe you have been a victim of stolen funds from a tampered QR code, report the fraud to your local FBI field office at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices.

    • Bonnie Mattern Joins SRT as Director of People and Culture

    Bonnie Mattern Joins SRT as Director of People and Culture

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    MINOT, N.D. – Bonnie Mattern, a human resources professional with more than 25 years of administration and leadership experience, has joined SRT as Director of People and Culture.

    Mattern oversees all SRT human resources responsibilities including recruitment, onboarding, retention, labor relations, benefits and payroll, and risk management and compliance. She also develops and leads the strategy for an employee-oriented, high-performance culture that emphasizes quality, productivity, job satisfaction, goal attainment, and employee engagement.

    “Bonnie’s depth and breadth of experience working for complex organizations affords us the opportunity to build on our current systems and position SRT for the future,” said Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager. “Her addition to our team ensures that SRT has robust human resources capabilities that are vital to our continued success.”

    Prior to joining SRT, Mattern spent three years as Director of Human Resources at Trinity Health, supporting a diverse workforce of 3,000 employees and leading a 20-person team. Mattern served as Human Resources Director for CHI St. Alexius Health Devils Lake Hospital before she joined Trinity Health, initially as Director of KeyCare Medical before leading HR. She also served more than 12 years as Director of Human Resources, and five years as Clinic Administrator, at the Heart of America Johnson Clinic.

    “After more than 30 years in healthcare, I consider it a privilege to become part of SRT, a telecommunications organization of excellence,” said Mattern. “I’m a firm believer that people are our greatest asset in the workplace. I am honored to contribute to improved efficiency and satisfaction companywide.”

    Originally from Rugby, ND, Mattern earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Mary, Bismarck. She added, “When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and two grandchildren, outdoor activities, and playing pinochle!”

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    SRT Communications Combination Technicians Receive Minot Chamber EDC Eagle Award

    SRT Communications Combination Technicians Receive Minot Chamber EDC Eagle Award

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    SRT Communications Combination Technicians Terry Aannerud and Cameron Schilken received Minot Chamber EDC‘s Eagle Award this past month. The Eagle Award recognizes excellence in customer service and the recipients must be nominated to receive this award.
     
    Terry and Cameron were nominated by an SRT customer who said, “I had a new internet line dug in, and these two individuals came yesterday to get it into my house. They were exceptional people who took their time so as not to make a mess and yet got the job done in no time. They helped me set up several devices in my home through the internet. They worked so well together, and they certainly complimented each other. I was especially pleased to not hear any cuss words and the way they spoke to each other was so nice to hear. They were so patient with each other and me when we were trying to get things set up. I appreciate all that they did for me yesterday and I think they need to be recognized for their efforts in helping me and others in the community. We all benefitted from having Cameron and Terry come into our homes and having them hook this stuff up. Thanks so much!”
     
    Congratulations Terry and Cameron for this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for taking great care of our customers!

    SRT Hosts Rural Prosperity Workshop for North Dakota Community Leaders

    SRT Hosts Rural Prosperity Workshop for North Dakota Community Leaders

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    Minot, N.D. – SRT welcomed a diverse group of community leaders to its Minot headquarters for Rural Prosperity: A Workshop for Enriching Communities on October 12. Thirty leaders and champions, representing more than a dozen communities across north-central North Dakota, attended the collaborative workshop.

    The Rural Prosperity event offered the opportunity for attendees to learn about available funding and other resources, connect with their peers, hear real-life success stories from other communities, and begin building plans to help their own communities thrive.

    Kristi Miller, SRT Board President, and Cassidy Hjelmstad, SRT CEO and General Manager, opened the day’s sessions by welcoming attendees and highlighting stories and goals for the day. Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, delivered a video message of encouragement.

    Erin Oban, State Director, USDA Rural Development, set the stage for the workshop, which was held during National Coop Month. Quoting from 8th grade North Dakota social studies and underscoring the theme of the day, Oban said, “Cooperatives are ‘formed by a group of people who want to pool their resources for a specific purpose.’” She continued with the “idea that we are better together than we are apart” and posed questions to the group: What do you want for your community? What do you dream of? What do you want for your kids?

    Putting dreams into practical context, Megan Langley, Founder and Executive Director of Strengthen ND, discussed the benefits of incremental growth and building a culture of momentum: “Small actions can snowball and amount to meaningful change.” Attendees talked with each other about their communities’ strengths and where they can use support. Langley then prompted them to work on identifying how they could assemble their community team to make things happen. She offered strategies such as leveraging local grantmakers, engaging youth, and connecting with others.

    Brian Gion of The Rural Electric and Telcom Development Center discussed how the success of one community can affect the overall economic health of rural North Dakota: “If a town loses its grocery store, its residents won’t necessarily drive to Minot to shop. They might move.” In addition to food access, Gion illustrated how the cooperative model can pool shared services to meet childcare, home care, and ambulance needs in rural communities.

    Erin Oban shared funding opportunities available through USDA Rural Development for community programs, rural business and cooperative programs, SEARCH (water project) grants, and the Rural Energy for America Program. USDA Rural Development seeks to help the hundreds of communities that North Dakota has built to “survive and thrive.” Pointing to high-speed internet as essential infrastructure for rural communities to succeed, Oban said North Dakota was “really ahead of our time when we invested in broadband.”

    Becky Towery, Community Relations Coordinator for SRT, provided an overview of opportunities that rural communities can pursue through the cooperative. She outlined the federal Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program (REDLG), Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC) grants matched by SRT, Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) grants, and SRT’s own corporate giving program (SRT Cares), as funding options for eligible community betterment and development projects.

    Langley wrapped up the day with an interactive session on putting “Big Dreams” into practice by breaking down the work and building a coalition of partners.

    Attendees networked with each other throughout the day and left with practical information for their own communities. Daniel Dew of Mohall, associated with the Renville County Economic Development Committee, said, “There are at least three things I’m taking away from the workshop today,” which included exploring the ND Rural Grocery Initiative for food access and encouraging more dialogue about community needs and ideas: “We need to ask. We need to talk to people.”

    For more information about SRT Cares and other resources that can support community development projects, visit srt.com/srtcares.

    SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 190 people and serves roughly 8,000 square miles and 24,000 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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    CUSTOMER ALERT

    CUSTOMER ALERT

    Stay Alert – “Look Who Died” Scam

    Watch Out For Charity Scams If you’re tagged in a Facebook post or get a direct message that says, “Look who died, I think you know him,” followed by several crying emojis, don’t click on the link. It won’t take you to a news report about a death. It’s a trap.

    Here’s how the scam typically works: If the victim clicks on the link, it takes them to what appears to be a Facebook login page, where they’ll be asked to enter their username and password before being able to view the supposed news article or video about the death. As soon as the victim enters this information, however, it’s sent to the scammer, who takes over the victim’s Facebook account, locks them out, and uses the account to send the same message to the friends list.

    Scammers love Facebook accounts because of all the personal data they can grab — including email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, private messages, and friends lists (to provide more potential victims). Stolen data can be used to break into non-Facebook accounts or be sold on the dark web.

    In some cases, clicking on the fake news link installs malware on the victim’s computer. With this malware, they can potentially gain access to personal photos, passwords, or confidential documents.

    If you accidentally fall for this scam, change your Facebook password immediately to avoid being locked out of the account, and check your security settings to log out of any devices or locations you don’t recognize.