DirectLink

Folks in the community often say that DirectLink has the most reliable internet in town. We’re humbled and appreciate all of the kind words we see online – we also want to take a moment to highlight what it is that gives our services the reputation it has. DirectLink’s fiber network uses a true, dedicated Fiber-to-the-Premises approach. That means our fiber lines run from our office right to your home, no sharing with neighbors or network congestion. This provides the fastest speeds and greatest reliability. Other providers often use Fiber-to-the-Curb, where fiber lines run to the neighborhood and are then connected to cables to a home. This doesn’t provide the same speed or reliability as DirectLink’s OMNI internet. Are you looking for fast, reliable, and secure fiber internet for your home or business? Our local team is ready to help - give us a call at 503.266.8111 in Canby or at 503.845.2291 in Mt. Angel 🤝 Learn more at DirectLink.coop/why-fiber

📚🔐 Back to School: Internet Safety First! 🔐📚    As students dive into a new school year, let’s make sure their online experience is as safe as it is educational. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:    Strong Passwords: Create unique, strong passwords and change them regularly. Avoid using easily guessed information! 🛡️🔑    Privacy Settings: Review and adjust privacy settings on social media and other online accounts to protect personal information. 🔒👤    Think Before You Click: Be cautious about clicking on unknown links or downloading files from untrusted sources. 🚫🔗    Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter anything suspicious or feel uncomfortable online, report it immediately to a trusted adult. 🚨📩    Balance Screen Time: Remember to balance online activities with offline fun—socialize, play, and learn in both worlds! 🌐🏀    Stay smart, stay safe, and have an amazing school year! 📚✨    #BackToSchool #InternetSafety #StaySmart #SafeOnline

DirectLink is proud to sponsor the upcoming Sister Marilyn Schwab Memorial Lecture "Navigating Care for Your Aging Loved Ones." This free event will feature a panel of experts to discuss information and insights on various aspects of the health system, like assisted living, hospice, home health, rehab, and more. All are welcome to join for free with an RSVP. Refreshments and light snacks will be included. 📅 Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024 ⌚ Time: 6:00PM - 7:30PM 📍 Location: Providence Benedictine Orchard House Community Room - 550 S. Main St., Mt. Angel, OR 💲 Cost: FREE ✔️ RSVP: Call 503-845-2763 or email mary.edmonds@providence.org

DirectLink is proud to support the Canby Educational Foundation and all of their efforts to better the lives of local students and educators with a sizable monetary donation. We were also able to secure a matching donation from CoBank, our financial supporter that works with co-ops like DirectLink.   🎉✨Thank you CEF for all that you do - let's have a great school year!✨🎉 Pictured from left to right: DirectLink President Paul Hauer, CEF Executive Director Heather Zimmer, and CEF Secretary & Board Member Kerrie Oliver

Both DirectLink offices in Canby and Mt. Angel will be closed today in observance of Labor Day. 24/7 Tech Support remains available if needed at 503.266.8111 in Canby or at 503.845.2291 in Mt. Angel.

DirectLink had an amazing time hosting local students again in early August for the annual STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) summer camp at our campus in Canby. The camp is operated by Bridging Cultures and Todos Juntos in partnership with the Canby Educational Foundation and Canby School District. Nearly 50 students entering grades 5-7 spent a summer morning at DirectLink learning about how the internet gets to their homes and what it takes to keep their community connected. They toured our Central Office, saw a demonstration of how fiber is spliced together and placed underground, learned how fiber lines connect to their homes, and tested their tech knowledge with a fun trivia game. The DirectLink Data Operations, Engineering, Outside Plant, and Central Office teams loved having the kids on campus and teaching them the ins and outs of how we connect Canby.

Back to school is around the corner! ✏️Here are some tips for Remote Learning Success This School Year! 🍎 Remote learning can be a game-changer with the right tools and mindset. Here are some tips to make the most of it: ✏️Create a Dedicated Study Space: Set up a quiet, comfortable area for learning. 📝Stay Organized: Use online calendars and planners to keep track of assignments and deadlines. 🌐Stay Connected: Make sure you have a reliable internet connection for smooth virtual classes. ⏰Set a Routine: Establish regular study times and breaks to stay on track. Empower your students to excel this year with these remote learning tips! 🌟💻 #RemoteLearning #BackToSchool #StudentSuccess

July winners: Anne & Brian Huggins (Canby) and Robert Purdy (Mt. Angel) won gift cards to Swan Island Dahlias, the famous local dahlia farm and gift store that’s been in operation for nearly a century. The farm plants over 15,000 seedlings every year, and the annual Dahlia Fest draws people from all over. Visit www.Dahlias.com to learn more. All DirectLink members who pay their bill on time online, via mail, or in-person are automatically entered into a random giveaway for a $50 gift card to a variety of establishments. We pick a random winner from our Canby and Mt. Angel service areas each month.  Easily pay your bill on time with AutoPay in your SmartHub account. Visit DirectLink.SmartHub.coop or download the free SmartHub mobile app to create a login and begin virtually managing your account.

🌐 Debunking Myths: Securing Public Networks is Just as Important! Think securing your home network is enough? Here’s why public networks need attention too: 👉Public networks are often less secure and can be exploited by hackers. 👉Without proper security, hackers can intercept sensitive information, potentially leading to identity theft and fraudulent activities. 👉Public networks can be breeding grounds for malware and other malicious software. Securing your connection helps protect your device from potential infections. Here Are Ways to Secure Your Connection on a Public Network: 🔒A VPN can encrypt your data on public Wi-Fi to keep it safe from prying eyes. 🔒Refrain from accessing sensitive information on public networks. 🔒Add an extra layer of security to your accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA). Stay protected on all networks! 🌐🔒 #InternetMyths #PublicWiFi #StaySafe

Don’t wait for a power outage to cause data loss! Regular backups are crucial for protecting your important files. Here’s how to stay prepared: 1. External Drives: Regularly save important files to an external hard drive. 2. Cloud Services: Use cloud storage for automatic backups and easy access. 3. Scheduled Backups: Set up automatic backups to ensure you never forget. Keep your data safe and secure, no matter what! 📂🔒 #DataBackup #PowerOutage #StayPrepared