The Bottom Line
Small business is important to Central Oregon, and to Mid Oregon. Find tips and resources for business, and information about Mid Oregon’s commercial services and business members.
Branch News: Improved views thanks to young local artist
Student from Redmond Proficiency Academy transforms Redmond Branch lobby
Since we’re not able to invite our community in for the grand unveiling, we thought we’d bring the art to you! Over the past couple weeks, our Redmond branch has been visited by a talented local young artist. Lily Y., a student at Redmond Proficiency Academy, has undertaken a special project to paint the cupola in the center of the branch lobby (in keeping with all social distancing and safety requirements, of course.)
We absolutely love our new artwork and we’re very proud of this creative young person and her beautiful depiction of everything that makes Central Oregon unique. Thank you for your work, Lily!
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- Lily beginning her project at the Redmond Branch
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- Outlines of mountain peaks
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- Green mountainsides and hills emerge
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- Adding color, depth and shadows
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- Local landmarks get center stage.
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- Finishing touches.
Skyrocketing Corona Virus Cybercrime Also Taking The World By Storm
By Stickley on Security | March 30, 2020
Skyrocketing Corona Virus Cybercrime
In these uncertain times, staying smart about personal health is necessary to fight corona virus (COVID-19). But we also need to stay smart about cybersecurity. True to form, cybercriminals are doing everything they can to lie, cheat, and steal their way onto your device and into your personally identifiable information (PII). Stealing finances and identities are nothing new for hackers, but what is new is the voracious rate at which they are using COVID-19 as a cover for fraudulent activity.
A recent study by Check Point Research shows a 10x increase in the average number of new, registered domains since the end of this February. It also finds thousands of new websites are popping-up overnight with corona virus-themed domains, and these are 50% more likely to be malicious. Hackers are capitalizing on COVID-19 virus fears with dramatically increased email phishing attacks, malware-laden attachments, and bogus links to compromised websites. At a time when people are vulnerable to deception, there’s one thing we can be sure of–cybercriminals are working overtime.
Many millions of users are relying on their devices for vital connections to family and friends, shopping, school, work, entertainment, and more. That means an abundance of cybercriminals are ready and waiting to dupe unsuspecting victims with their illegal schemes. Right now, COVID-19 website themes abound, with many promising trusted information to the public, and still others reassuring the purchase of products in high demand. These fake or “spoof” URLs abound, with many of them taking advantage of typosquatting, which happens when a user accidentally misspells a domain name. Below are some of the corona virus-themed attacks that are currently circling the globe, as well as digital hygiene tips for you and your device.
COVID-19-Themed Attacks
Malspam (malicious spam) campaigns are targeting finance, manufacturing, transportation, and pharmaceutical industries. One campaign exploits a Microsoft Office bug to install info-stealing AZORult malware on a system. This one uses a fraudulent version of the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Map as an infected file. Other malspam offers masks and other health items for sale. Hackers take payments and send nothing in return.
To learn more about the latest fraud updates, consumer education, and tips to avoid being scammed, visit our Stickley on Security Fraud Center.
Teenage Driver’s Dilemma: How to Afford It
The Teenage Driver’s Dilemma…
Learning how to drive a car is one of the big milestones in a teenager’s life. Learning how to pay for its upkeep isn’t as exciting, but just as necessary. This teenage driver’s dilemma doesn’t have to be insurmountable. Here are a few simple tricks to help you keep your wallet happy.
New or used? Buying used is usually a no-brainer for most teenagers. Talk to family and friends to see if they are willing to sell their cars at a discount. Mid Oregon has a resource for new or used vehicle searches, AutoSmart. Kelley Blue Book may also be helpful.
Insurance is a Big Deal
First insurance premium. Most teenagers stay on their parents’ insurance plan, but it may be cheaper to get insured elsewhere. Shop around and look for the discounts most companies offer.
Most insurance companies offer discounts if you:
• Take driver’s ed classes.
• Keep up with your school work—good grades = good discounts.
• Drive safely and keep your driving record clean.
Fuel Can Eat Up Your Cash
Save on gas. When going to fill up, shop around and make sure you’re getting the lowest price. You can use an app like GasBuddy to help you find the cheapest gas in your area. At the pump, make sure you’re using the lowest grade recommended for your car—usually the big button with an 87 on it. Fill up when it is cooler, such as in the early morning or at night. Gasoline is measured and sold by volume. When it’s cold out, the gas is denser, so you get slightly more for your money.
Make your car more efficient
• Make sure your gas cap is on tight so no fumes can escape from your tank.
• Change the air filter frequently to keep your engine from working harder than it has to.
• Keep the proper air pressure in your tires so your car drives efficiently.
• Lighten the load you carry in your car. The heavier the car, the less fuel efficient it is.
• Drive the speed limit—it’s better for your gas mileage, helps you avoid pricey speeding tickets, and is safer.
• Don’t rapidly speed up or slow down. You’ll save gas by gradually getting up to speed.
• Minimize the time you spend idling. When you pick up friends, turn the car off while you wait for them.
What About Maintenance?
From tune-ups to major repairs. Labor is usually the biggest cost of taking your car to the shop, particularly for simple fixes, like replacing a bulb, or routine maintenance, like oil changes. If you are handy, learn how to do the simple tasks yourself. If you must take your car to a professional, shop around for the best deal.
Most important: Put aside some money in an emergency share savings account at Mid Oregon Credit Union to pay for unexpected repairs. Saving for emergencies is key to keeping disruption, and costs, to a minimum.