On Aug. 7, the Eastern Upper Peninsula Connect Collaborative (EUPCC) and Connected Nation hosted a regional internet update in Hessel for Region 1c. The event drew a full room of community members to learn about ongoing broadband projects and opportunities to improve internet connectivity in the area. 

Attendees heard from local and state representatives about broadband initiatives and research happening across the region. Guest speakers included Dr. Johannes M. Bauer of Michigan State University, Dr. Henna Zamurd Butt of the University of Chicago, Connected Nation and members of the Michigan High Speed Internet Office (MIHI) along with panelists from local and national partners. The discussion focused on sharing progress, providing information and empowering residents and businesses to take the next steps toward better internet access. 

Online shopping is convenient, but if you save your credit card information on retail websites you may be at risk of having your information accessed or stolen. If a criminal gains access to your account, they can use stored payment details to make purchases or steal your card information for use elsewhere. Once one account is compromised, attackers may use the same information to break into other accounts. 

The Michigan Cyber Command Center (MC3) recommends the following best practices to keep your information safe: 

• Do not store credit cards online. The easiest way to prevent misuse is to avoid saving card or bank information with retailers. 

• Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security, such as a text code or fingerprint scan, before purchases are approved. 

• Set up alerts to receive notifications from both your bank and the retailer when purchases are made. 

• Use unique, complex passwords and never reuse passwords across accounts. 

Following these recommendations helps reduce the chance of fraud and keeps your financial information secure. For more tips and resources, visit the MC3 website.