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October 2024

In the spirit of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, you should know that maintaining the security of your online accounts is crucial. One of the most effective ways to enhance your online security is by using a personal password vault to store your passwords. Here’s why:

Enhanced Security With Strong Passwords

A personal password vault helps you generate and store complex, unique passwords for each account. Strong passwords are essential because they are harder for hackers to guess or crack using brute force attacks. Using a password vault ensures that you’re not reusing passwords across multiple sites, which is a common security risk.

Convenience And Organization

Remembering multiple complex passwords can be challenging. A password vault stores all your passwords securely in one place, accessible with a single master password. This not only makes it convenient to manage your passwords but also helps you stay organized, as you don’t have to remember or jot down numerous passwords.

Protection Against Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks aim to steal your passwords by tricking you into entering them on fake websites. A password vault can protect you against such attacks by auto-filling passwords only on legitimate websites. This means you’re less likely to fall victim to phishing scams.

Regular Password Changes  Enhance Security

Regularly changing your passwords is a proactive measure to ensure that the damage is limited even if a password is compromised. Frequent changes reduce the risk of hackers’ long-term exploitation of your accounts. This practice is essential for sensitive accounts like email, banking and social media.

Minimizes Impact Of Data Breaches

Unfortunately, data breaches are common. When a breach occurs, compromised passwords can be used to access your accounts. Regularly changing your passwords minimizes the window of opportunity for hackers to exploit your stolen credentials.

Advanced Security Features

Many password vaults have advanced security features, such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and secure password sharing. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, while secure password sharing allows you to share access without revealing the actual password.

In conclusion, using a personal password vault and regularly changing passwords are essential for maintaining robust online security. A password vault simplifies the management of strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, while regular password changes reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Many mobile devices have a built-in password manager that can be used without an additional subscription. By adopting these practices, you can significantly enhance your protection against cyber threats and ensure the safety of your personal information.

At EnergyUnited, we understand the value of safe, reliable power in supporting our communities and economy. With autumn now in full swing and winter weather around the corner, we wanted to highlight how substations benefit our cooperative and keep your energy flowing.

Substations take high-voltage power from transmission lines and step it down to a lower voltage so our members can safely use it. Said differently, they act as hubs to help transform and distribute electricity to homes and businesses. These facilities are designed to keep the flow of electricity consistent, even during storms and other disruptions.

EnergyUnited is proud to have the support of our engineering, technical services and distribution design teams to ensure that all substations are inspected and maintained to the highest standards. These teams play a key role in identifying areas for improvement and overseeing upgrades that boost reliability. Several substation projects have been recently completed or are currently in progress. Here are a few examples:

Statesville Substation

We are currently rebuilding the high-voltage side of this substation to 100 kV. This critical project will ensure that the substation can continue to serve the community with improved reliability.

CID Substation

In the past 12 months, we completed a high-voltage-side rebuild of this substation. This project included replacing aging structures and upgrading the high-side fuses with a circuit switcher and relaying. These changes are designed to enhance reliability and prevent outages.

Gilead Substation

We recently added a second transformer to this substation. This addition increases the substation’s capacity and will help meet the growing demand for electricity in the area.

Through these projects and ongoing inspections, EnergyUnited remains committed to delivering reliable power to our members. Substations are the backbone of our distribution system, and with the support of our dedicated teams, we will continue to invest in their upkeep and improvement for years to come.

Figuring out where to start and how to prepare your home for cooler temperatures can be daunting. We’ve done the research for you! Here are a few easy tips to help lower your energy costs and keep your home cozy as the seasons change.

Install And Program Your Smart Thermostats

Programmable thermostats are one example of easy home weatherization tips that can make your heating (and cooling) system operate more efficiently. Why heat a home – or cool it for that matter – at the same temperature when no one is in it?

Change Ceiling Fans To Rotate The Correct Way

In the winter, a ceiling fan can be used to rotate airflow so that heat rising into a high ceiling is blown back down to where it can do the most good. Make sure that your fan is turning clockwise to enjoy this benefit.

Check Your Heating System

Have your heating system checked to make sure it’s working properly. Check your furnace filter once a month and change it when it is dirty.

EnergyUnited has partnered with HomeServe to offer an optional solution to help with the high cost and stress of unexpected home repairs.

A plan from HomeServe can give you peace of mind for covered home repair emergencies. When a covered emergency strikes, HomeServe will send a trusted local contractor to handle your repair for you.

To learn more about optional protection plans

click here

Want to receive communications straight to your phone? You can! Simply log in to My EnergyHub and adjust your settings to receive text alerts. Doing so will provide you with real-time notifications of outages, restoration times and more!

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to sign up for text alerts.

Step 1

Log on to My EnergyHub either at EnergyUnited.com or through the My EnergyHub mobile app.

Step 2

Go to settings.

Step 3

Click on “Contact Methods” and “Verify Contact Methods” by selecting the phone number to “Receive Text Messages.”

Step 4

Go back to the settings screen and click “Manage Notifications.”

Step 5

Click “Service” and select which notifications you would like to receive.