Protect Your Digital Life

Simple Steps to Stay Secure

At Universal 1 Credit Union (U1), we care about more than your financial security—we care about protecting your digital life too. From personal photos and important documents to your financial data, keeping your information safe online is essential. Here are a few smart habits you can practice every day.

Check Your Privacy Settings

Every time you sign up for a new service, download an app, or get a new device, take a few minutes to review and adjust your privacy settings.

• Think about what information you’re sharing and if it’s necessary.
• Check who can view your profile.
• Review your apps and accounts every few months, and delete the ones you don’t use.

Share with Care

Social media is fun—but always think before you post. Consider:

• Who will see this?
• Could it reveal personal information?
• How might it affect your digital reputation—or someone else’s?

Report Phishing

Phishing scams trick you into giving away personal details by pretending to be from a trusted company. If you get a suspicious message:

• Don’t click any links, even unsubscribe links
• Don’t reply
• Delete it right away
• Block the sender

If it’s a work email, report it to your IT department. If it’s personal, most email and social platforms allow you to report phishing attempts.

Don’t Reply to “Mistaken” Texts

Scammers often start with a friendly but “accidental” message to gain your trust. These scams—sometimes called pig butchering scams—can drag on for weeks before they ask for money or investments. Remember: not replying isn’t rude, it’s safe.

Use Secure Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it isn’t always secure. Protect yourself by:

• Avoiding banking or email accounts on public Wi-Fi.
• Using your phone’s hotspot or a VPN for extra security.
• Turning off auto-connect for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• Always logging out of accounts on public computers—closing the browser isn’t enough.

And don’t forget—if you have a home router, change the default password to keep your network secure.