RTC Networks Summer 2022 Newsletter

TRIGEN AG PARTNERS

RTC NETWORKS COMMUNICATOR

24 Main Street North, PO Box 68, Parshall, ND 58770

www.myRTCNetworks.com, info@myRTCNetworks.com

Customer Service: 0811 (within RTC exchanges) or 701.862.3115

Repair Service: 0611 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.822.3311

24/7 Help Desk: 0211 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.497.2151

Headquarters: 24 Main St N Parshall, ND 58770

New Town Office: 202 College Drive New Town, ND 58763

Stanley Office: 215 Main St S, Stanley, ND 58784

Watford City Office: 701 14th St SW Watford City, ND 58854

Business Office: 0811 (Toll-free within RTC Exchanges) 701.862.3115

Fax: 701.862.3008

Email: info@myRTCNetworks.com

Publication Contact: Shannon Stafslien, Marketing Manager

CEO/General Manager: Shane D. Hart

Directors & Officers: Jeanette Hoff, President

Wayne Skarda, Vice President

Jennifer Sorenson, Secretary/Treasurer

Jared Eagle, Director

Terry Wilber, Director

Amy Ones, Director

Barbara Steinmetz, Director

John McElwain, Director

Alicia Brenna, Attorney

RTC Networks is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Copyright© 2022 by RTC (Reservation Telephone Cooperative) and Tellwell.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR

GENERAL MANAGER

Somehow, we have already reached the final weeks of summer. I hope that you have spent the season relaxing with friends and family, exploring the great outdoors, and enjoying the warmth while we have it.

RTC Networks has been busy with several fiber build-outs across our service territory this summer. With each new community that we successfully equip with fiber, we come one step closer to realizing our goal of connecting the West to the world. More of our communities are connected to high-speed fiber-optic internet than ever before; it’s important that we all use that connection wisely.

I am excited to share that we are now including the myRTCnet app’s ProtectIQ feature free of charge for all internet subscribers. ProtectIQ can guard your home network against web threats, malware, intrusions, and viruses, and

send reports on these threats directly to the palm of your hand. Learn more about internet security and ProtectIQ on page 6 of this newsletter.

If you have any outdoor projects to tackle before temperatures start to fall, please remember to call before you dig. Whether you are building a deck or planting a tree, you must contact One Call at least 48 hours prior to digging. Utility companies will then mark the location of their underground lines to

We come one step closer to realizing our goal of connecting the West to the world.

help protect you from damaging them. If you are within RTC Networks’ service area in North Dakota, you can reach North Dakota One Call by dialing 811 on your landline telephone or 1-800-7950555. You can also submit your request at www.ndonecall.com by clicking on the “Homeowners” tab. Montana One Call can be reached at 1-800-551-8344 or www.mt1call.com.

Dig safely, and enjoy the rest of your summer.

Shane Hart

Shane Hart, CEO/GM

RTC NETWORKS SPOTLIGHT

TRIGEN AG PARTNERS

With high-speed internet from RTC Networks, TriGen is transforming the way that elevators operate.

In 1915, there were approximately 2,000 grain elevators in North Dakota. By 2015, there were fewer than 400.

These facilities have played a pivotal role in building North Dakota’s economy and establishing the state as a leader in the production of crops such as wheat, barley, and flax. While the total number of grain elevators across North Dakota has continued to fall year after year, many–including the Max Farmers Elevator and Plaza-Makoti Equity Elevator–are still operational more than a century later.

Now, with high-speed internet from RTC Networks and a new mobile app, TriGen Ag Partners is transforming the way elevators operate.

TriGen Ag Partners was formed in August 2020, when the Max Farmers Elevator and Plaza-Makoti Equity Elevator merged and joined forces with Minneapolis-based Agrex, Inc. The “Tri” in the company’s name represents the three communities the elevators serve, as well as the three companies that have combined assets and capital to form TriGen. “Gen” is an homage to the generations of producers who have built North Dakota’s agricultural economy, as well as the many generations yet to come.

Rick Talbott, who had been with the Max Farmers Elevator since 2005 and served as General Manager since 2014, helped oversee the formation of TriGen.

“We really enjoy helping the producers get the crop planted and harvested,” Talbott said. “We offer a number of services to help with both, from custom application to seed and chemical sales, along with various contracts to help them market the grain.”

Along with merging the Max and Plaza-Makoti elevators, TriGen Ag Partners also broke ground on a new facility in Ryder in the summer of 2020. The new shuttle grain terminal consists of 1.050 million storage capacity and more than 10,000 feet of track.

The agriculture industry has changed drastically since the early 20th century. To continue meeting the needs of producers and consumers alike, grain elevators have to change, too. With a new mobile app, created by Fargo-based software developer Bushel, TriGen Ag Partners is making it easier than ever for elevators to communicate with the growers they serve.

Within the app, growers are able to see cash bids in real-time, track and review contracts, and view scale tickets almost immediately after a load is delivered at any one of TriGen’s facilities. The app also has an “Offer” function, which allows growers to put in orders for the grain they wish to sell at any time of day.

TriGen Ag Partners is utilizing technology to ensure that North Dakota’s legacy as a global ag leader can endure for

RTC Networks' commitment to rural North Dakota, and the fiber upgrades they have made to their network, have made this possible for the communities we serve.

“It is important to have high-speed internet to connect all of our facilities in different cities,” Talbott said. "RTC Networks' commitment to rural North Dakota, and the fiber upgrades they have made to their network, have made this possible for the communities we serve."

To discover how RTC Networks can support your local business, visit myRTCNetworks.com or call 701-862-3115 today.

Education is the Best Defense

SCROLL, STREAM, AND SHOP SAFELY WITH SUPPORT FROM RTC NETWORKS

From the cell phones we use to communicate to the smart televisions we use to stream, we are all more connected to the internet than ever before. And while these devices can make our lives easier and more entertaining, they can also make us more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Ransomware and other threats are continuing to rise for both business and residential internet users. Security attacks increased 31 percent from 2020 to 2021, according to Accenture’s “State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2021” report.

Every person or business who uses the internet must take steps to ensure that their devices and data are safe. RTC Networks’ Network Manager, Dan Schilla, said it best: “Defense wins games, and education is the best defense against cybercriminals.” Here are a few simple steps that every individual can take to protect their network against cybercriminals:

Use Strong Passwords (And Don’t Reuse Them)

It may be tempting to reuse a password like “abc1234” across all of your accounts, but each time you recycle a password, you make yourself more susceptible to attacks. To protect yourself and your information, it is important to use passwords that are long, complex, and unique and change them at least once per year. If you are worried about remembering all of your passwords, don’t write them down on a piece of paper that anyone could find—use a secure password manager, like Lastpass, which allows you to store all your valuable password information in one place.

Stop Snoozing Device Updates

Device update notifications may be annoying, but they are also essential to maintaining your device’s security. Regularly installing crucial updates will protect your laptop, phone, and other devices from the latest threats, so when you get that notification, don’t ignore it–update your device right away.

Let’s Get Started

Click on the “Let’s Get Started” button to get started on your way to managing your network and devices.

Out for Fake Links

Over 84 percent of all cyber attacks were distributed via email in 2021–a 20 percent increase from 2019. Protect yourself by recognizing phishing emails, which are sent to trick people into clicking on a dangerous link. If you click on the link, ransomware can be downloaded onto your device, freezing systems and holding them hostage until money is paid to unlock the system. This simple action can carry serious and costly consequences.

Never click any links if you aren’t sure if the email is legitimate. On a Mac, you can hover over a link to see what the link address is. You can also right click on the link and select “Copy Link Address.” Paste this address into a word or text document to see if it looks fake. Rule of thumb: if you don’t recognize the link, don’t click it.

You don’t have to fight the battle against cybercriminals alone; RTC Networks is here to help. We have taken several precautions to ensure that every user who connects to the internet can do so safely.

Moving to a redundant, 100 percent fiber-optic network is just one way that RTC Networks is working to keep our users safe. Hackers have become more and more innovative over the years, making it easy to compromise traditional cable internet connections through cable tapping or other relatively simple methods. Because fiber networks don’t radiate signals, they are significantly more difficult to hack into.

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Defend Your Devices with ProtectIQ

You put locks on your doors to protect your family and belongings. Why not take the same precautions with your network?

The ProtectIQ home network cyber security tool helps you keep a lock on your network and alerts you when any unwanted visitors try to enter. The tool, created by Calix, Inc., allows broadband service providers like RTC Networks to stop web threats, intrusions, malware, and viruses from entering home networks.

ProtectIQ won the Cyber Defense Magazine 2022

We also utilize security tools to keep our network safe. A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is a form of cyber attack that aims to disrupt the normal traffic of a server, service, or network by flooding it with internet traffic. RTC Networks protects our customers from DDoS attacks using a tool that senses abnormal traffic going to or from a single IP address. We will then block that traffic so the attack cannot successfully bring down your network.

Global InfoSec Award for Best in Anti-Phishing, Network Security, and Management, and now RTC Networks is making it more accessible than ever before. We are now including the myRTCnet app’s ProtectIQ feature free of charge for all internet subscribers. Not all homes have the equipment required for this function, but RTC Networks will work with you to get the tools you need.

Contact RTC Networks today to start scrolling, streaming, and shopping more safely with ProtectIQ!

RTC NETWORKS TECH TIPS CRYPTOCURRENCY 101

Cryptocurrency is everywhere these days. You can’t turn on the news or scroll through your Twitter feed without seeing something about Bitcoin or #DogeArmy. If you’re not familiar with the world of crypto, it can leave you with lots of questions, like what is it? How does it work? And should I buy in? Well today you’re in luck, let’s dive in!

Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that uses cryptography to secure and verify transactions, making it virtually impossible to counterfeit. The first and most famous form of cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, emerged in 2008, but today there are thousands of alternates on the market.

So how do they work? Unlike cash that you carry in your pocket and exchange for goods and services, cryptocurrency exists as digital entries to an online database called a blockchain. A blockchain is an open, distributed ledger that records transactions in code. Think of it like a virtual checkbook that’s distributed across millions of computers around the world. Everyone who uses a cryptocurrency is given their own copy of this checkbook to create a unified record. Software logs each new transaction in real time, and every copy of the blockchain is updated with the new information.

Next, how do you use it? You can use cryptocurrency just like cash to make purchases, but it’s not a universally accepted form of payment yet. Not all businesses accept cryptocurrency, but you can work around this by exchanging crypto for gift cards to select retailers and restaurants with services like eGifter. You can also sign up for BitPay, a debit card that converts cryptocurrency into dollars.

Finally, you can invest in crypto. Cryptocurrency can be purchased

on peer-to-peer networks and cryptocurrency exchanges, such as Coinbase, as well as investing apps like Robinhood. But before you go buying into Bitcoin, there are a few things you should consider. First, do your research. There are more than 500 exchanges to choose from, so read reviews and talk with experienced investors before diving in.

And because crypto is highly speculative, be prepared for dramatic ups and downs. While Bitcoin reached a price of over $18,000 per coin in November 2020, it bottomed out at under $5,000 in the same year. If your blood pressure or investment portfolio can’t handle the rollercoaster that is crypto, you may be better off sticking to stocks and bonds.

We’ve only scratched the surface today, but hopefully with this background knowledge you can decide whether crypto is right for you--or at least understand what people are talking about when they bring up “Bitcoin”!

NEW RTC NETWORKS PHONE LISTINGS

Alexander - 828

Brokenspoke LLC (701) 828-3624

Burns, Jerrold (701) 828-3808

Forbes, Jim & TJ (701) 828-3624

Gullikson, James & Diana (701) 828-3247

Horsburgh, Dustin (701) 828-3839

Post Office (701) 828-3457

Roedeske, Erin (701) 828-3542

Roedeske, Fred & Laurie (701) 828-3729

Yellowstone Station (701) 828-3904

Arnegard - 586

Providence House LLC (701) 586-3300

Emmet - 337

Albert, Gayle E (701) 337-5975

R & D Warehouse (701) 337-5051

Garrison - 463

Bittner, Ken & Josie (701) 463-2390

Mandaree - 759

Conklin, Lana (701) 759-3542

MHA Land & Livestock (701) 759-3552

Peterson, Clifford (701) 759-4457

West Segment Cultural (701) 759-3552

New Town - 627

Bakken Transload (701)627-3573

North Segment Property Management Security.... (701) 627-3498

Parshall - 862

Loock, Bob (701) 862-3989

Neshem, Don (701) 862-1074

Sundsbak, Mike (701) 862-1110

Superbloom Floral (701) 862-3367

White Mountain, Alexis (701) 862-2263

Plaza - 497

Ringoen, Todd & Stacey (701) 497-3456

Roseglen - 743

Elbowoods Memorial Healthcare (701) 743-4800

Ralph Wells Community Center - Fax (701) 743-4799

White Shield Sports Complex (701) 743-4712

Watford City - 842

Anderson, Sarah (701) 444-4896

Campbell, William & Donna (701) 444-5287

Hughes, David (701) 444-4887

Jacey Wilson State Farm (701) 444-3274

Jacey Wilson State Farm - Fax (701) 444-2310

Twist 2.0 (701) 444-3986

RTC NETWORKS HAPPENINGS

The following RTC Networks employees have been recognized for their number of years of service to the cooperative as of the year ending in

1 YEAR

Keegan Swanson, Technology Specialist

5 YEARS

Mike Campbell, Technology Specialist

Brian Deutsch, Combination Tech

Ed Elkins, Utility Tech

Brock Lynne, Accounting Specialist III

Dar Huus, Marketing Rep

Erik Linseth, Combination Tech

Craig Talbott, Cable Locator

10 YEARS

Bernie Howell, CSR II

Payton Two Crow, Utility Tech

Daryl Johnson, Technology Specialist

Amy Keeling, Data Network Tech I

Alex Quale, Data Network Tech I

Jeff Shobe, Combination Tech

2023 PHOTO CONTEST

Deadline to submit photos: September 1, 2022

Submit your name, RTC Networks account number, and up to 10 highdef pictures to rtcteam@rtc.email.

Winners receive a feature in our 2023 Calendar and a $20 bill credit.

Must be a current RTC Networks customer.

15

YEARS

Daniel Leppell, Data Network Tech I

20 YEARS

Eric Jaeger, Technology Specialist Coordinator

Dan Schilla, Network Manager

25 YEARS

Brooks Goodall, Chief Operations Officer/Assistant GM

Dave Fransen, Utility Tech

Ken Ross, Cable Locator

NEW EMPLOYEES

24 Main Street North, PO Box 68, Parshall, ND 58770

myRTCNetworks.com

info@myRTCNetworks.com facebook.com/RTC.coop

Customer Service: 0811 (within RTC exchanges) or 701.862.3115

Repair Service: 0611 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.822.3311

24/7 Help Desk: 0211 (within RTC exchanges) or 800.497.2151

Headquarters: 24 Main St N • Parshall, ND 58770

New Town Office: 202 College Drive • New Town, ND 58763

Stanley Office: 215 S Main St • Stanley, ND 58784

Watford City Office: 701 14th St SW • Watford City, ND 58854

READERS Contest

Congratulations to these Spring 2022 Communicator Readers’ Contest winners. They will receive a $20 credit on their RTC Networks bill.

For your chance to be entered in the drawing to win a $20 credit on your bill, correctly answer the questions at the right and include with your RTC Networks bill. You can also submit your answers on our website at myRTCNetworks.com/ readerscontest or email your answers to RTCteam@restel.com.

Revier Emmet Exchange

L. Skadberg

1. What is now free of charge for all RTC Networks internet subscribers? 2. How much storage does the new grain terminal provide?

3. Security attacks increased by what percentage from 2020 to 2021, according to Accenture’s “State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2021” report?