Blogs

Convenience at a Cost? How to Protect Yourself Online

Do you remember the days before online holiday shopping? You had to get to stores before they closed – fighting traffic, weather, and holiday crowds – all to stand in line for ages. There was no guarantee the stores would even have what you needed, and you were probably too exhausted by then to check out their competitors.

All of that effort seems like the dark ages compared to laying on your couch in your pajamas, easily shopping away at any hour. 2019 online holiday sales are expected to total $123 billion, a growth of 16.2% over the year before. The convenience of online shopping is here to stay.

Unfortunately, the wonderful conveniences of online shopping sometimes come at a cost. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center had close to 300,000 online theft complaints in 2017. This resulted in losses of $1.4 billion. That’s not just an occasional hacking or phishing scam. That’s a wave of criminality that you’ll want to protect you and your family from.

Giving yourself a little cybersecurity doesn’t have to be difficult. Signal Security has compiled a list of ways you can protect yourself from online fraud and give yourself some added peace of mind while completing your holiday shopping. 

  • Do all your online shopping through websites you recognize and trust. That doesn’t mean you have to stick with the corporate giants and ignore smaller boutiques, but do some investigating before you give over your credit card information. And no matter who you’re shopping with, make sure their site encrypts their transactions. Look for an “https” at the beginning of their URL (as opposed to “http”). Without that “s”, the site – and your data – isn’t secure.
  • Beware of deals too good to be true. There are bargain-basement deals and then there are sales so low that they’re fishy. If prices seem shockingly low, be wary. These are also more apt to come to you via atypical shopping sources, like an unsolicited email or a Facebook post.
  • Do your online purchasing at home or somewhere with a secure wi-fi. It might sound like a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, doing your holiday shopping while having a latte at your local coffee shop. But sending credit card (or any personal) information over a free public wi-fi is asking for trouble.
  • Change your passwords. There are some differing thoughts on how often you should, but going into the holiday season is the perfect time to change them up. And be smart about what you change them to (in other words, it’s time to change if you’re using “password” as your password). You might also want to consider two-factor authorization for any online transactions for an added layer of protection.
  • Always manually enter your credit card information. Yes, it’s convenient to store your credit card information with a frequently visited retailer (or even locally on your computer), but given the number of data breaches companies have experienced, you might not want to trust them to keep your information safe. The time saved entering your credit card’s digits are not worth the potential security risk.
  • Check to see if there’s a tracking number for anything you order. This enables you to check on the delivery process and follow up in case there’s a problem. Almost all online merchants have this or work with a shipping service who does.
  • Set aside one credit card that you exclusively use for online purchases. As you can imagine, limiting all online buying to one card makes it much easier to track any potential fraud. This also means that if there is a problem and you need to cancel the card, you’re not stuck without emergency credit while waiting for the replacement. Make that one card a credit card as opposed to a debit card. Credit cards usually offer more fraud protection, plus the bank can withhold payment on any disputed charges.
  • Get in the habit of regularly checking your bank and credit card statements. It’s so easy to throw those pieces of mail away (or never consult your online statement), but just a quick check every time your statement arrives will save you heartache later. Finding any unauthorized transactions (or even simple errors) is much easier the earlier you report it.

Fraud prevention doesn’t have to be a struggle, and you shouldn’t have to limit your shopping online. But you should shop with a little common sense and vigilance. In the same way you know to keep an eye on your money and goods when shopping in public, adopt these tactics to keep your information protected while shopping in the virtual marketplace. Protect yourself from cybersecurity threats and give yourself a little peace of mind this holiday season.

Did we forget anything? Comment below to offer any additional insight or personal experience that can help your fellow online consumer.

For Barb Alekna and Greg Pencosky, building Signal of West Virginia has always been about more than growing a security business. It’s about creating an organization where people can build meaningful careers, develop into leaders, and make a lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Since launching Signal of West Virginia in September 2024, that vision has guided the team’s approach to growth. From earning their first client to developing their first leaders, Barb and Greg have focused on building the business one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.

That commitment to people, consistency, and continuous improvement is helping Signal of West Virginia establish a reputation for professionalism and dependable service across the state.

Building a Culture People Can Grow In

When Barb and Greg reflect on what makes them most proud, their answer comes back to their team. From the beginning, they wanted to create more than a successful security company. They wanted to build a career culture where employees could grow, take pride in their work, and become leaders.

“We strive to create an environment where each security officer and team member understands they’re not simply filling a security post,” they explain. “They’re protecting people, building relationships, solving problems, and representing the Signal brand with professionalism and integrity.”

That philosophy shapes how the team approaches every client and every assignment. Whether supporting apartment communities, healthcare facilities, major retailers, or special events, officers are expected to bring more than security expertise to the job.

Professionalism, reliability, communication, and dedication are all part of the standard.

For Barb and Greg, some of the most rewarding moments come from watching that culture take shape: seeing a new hire gain confidence, an officer advance into a leadership role, or a client recognize a team member for going above and beyond.

Earning Growth One Relationship at a Time

Launching a new franchise comes with challenges, but building Signal of West Virginia meant starting almost entirely from scratch.

Before the first contract, the organization had no established presence in the state, no existing clients, no employees, and no revenue. Barb and Greg had experience leading successful Signal operations, but they understood that success in another market wouldn’t automatically translate to West Virginia.

Instead, they relied on proven Signal processes while taking the time to understand the local market and build credibility from the ground up.

“Everything we’ve built since then has been earned one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.”

That approach required humility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Not every proposal became a contract, and not every challenge had an immediate solution, but each experience became an opportunity to improve.

From securing their first client and hiring their first employee to celebrating their first promotion and major contract, each milestone represented another step toward building a reputation in West Virginia.

Continuous Improvement Drives the Team

For the Signal of West Virginia team, showing up at their best starts with a mindset of continuous improvement.

“We never want to become complacent or assume we know everything,” they explain. “Every conversation with a client, every interaction with an employee, every success, failure, and every challenge give us an opportunity to learn, improve, and become better than we were yesterday.”

That mindset extends beyond individual performance. Barb and Greg see clear communication as one of their most important responsibilities as leaders.

By staying connected with clients, supporting their team, and being proactive instead of reactive, they work to build trust and strengthen relationships.

For them, long-term growth isn’t something to chase. It’s something to earn through consistent effort, strong relationships, and exceptional service.

Redefining Professional Security

As Signal of West Virginia continues to grow, Barb and Greg want the community to see private security as more than simply placing officers at a post.

Their goal is to build long-term partnerships, invest in the communities they serve, and create a career culture where employees are empowered to make a positive difference.

“We’re here for the long-term, and we genuinely care about making West Virginia a safer place to live, work, and do business.”

That commitment is supported by the combination of Signal’s global resources and local, owner-led leadership.

The team benefits from Signal’s technology, innovation, experienced leadership, and proven operating model while maintaining a local presence built around responsiveness, accountability, and lasting relationships.

For Signal of West Virginia, that means officers aren’t simply providing security. They’re becoming an extension of their clients’ teams—protecting people, safeguarding property, assisting employees and visitors, and representing both the client and Signal with professionalism.

The goal is to become a trusted partner that helps reduce risk, strengthen operations, and provide lasting peace of mind.

Developing People and Leaders

For Barb and Greg, one of the most rewarding parts of ownership is watching people grow.

Whether it’s mentoring an officer into a leadership role, helping an employee build a long-term career, or developing a client relationship into a trusted partnership, those moments represent the impact they hope to create.

They also recognize that growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

The Signal network has provided opportunities to learn from experienced security leaders, including Paul Alekna and the team at Signal of Canton-Youngstown. Their mentorship and willingness to share experiences have played an important role in the growth of Signal of West Virginia.

That collaboration reflects another strength of the Signal network: franchises supporting one another and sharing knowledge to help each other succeed.

Building What Comes Next

For Barb and Greg, the most exciting part of the journey is knowing they’re still building.

“Every new team member we develop, every client relationship we earn, and every opportunity to strengthen our team is another chance to make a lasting impact.”

Their focus remains straightforward: invest in their people, serve clients with excellence, and build an organization that employees, clients, and the community can be proud of.

Being named Franchise of the Month for May 2026 is an important milestone, but the recognition is viewed as motivation rather than a finish line.

Barb and Greg credit their entire team for the franchise’s success and remain focused on creating a career culture where great people can grow, delivering exceptional service, and making a lasting impact throughout West Virginia.

Congratulations to Barb Alekna, Greg Pencosky, and the entire Signal of West Virginia team on being named May Franchise of the Month in 2026. Their commitment to developing people, serving their communities, and growing with purpose is a powerful example of what’s possible across the Signal network.

 

More Articles