October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to brush up on the digital habits that can help keep your personal information safe. Hispanolistic / iStock
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to brush up on the digital habits that can help keep your personal information safe.
Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, using convincing emails, text messages, phone calls and even artificial intelligence to trick people into sharing sensitive information. The good news? A few smart habits can go a long way toward reducing your risk.
Before the next scam catches you off guard, treat yourself to these six cybersecurity tips.
1. Keep out the creeps with strong passwords
Your passwords are still one of the first lines of defense against account takeovers and identity theft. Using strong, unique passwords for every account helps prevent one breach from turning into multiple compromises.
Protect yourself:
- Use a combination of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
- Consider creating a memorable passphrase made up of unrelated words, numbers and symbols.
- Never reuse passwords across accounts.
- Use a reputable password manager to generate and securely store unique passwords.
When available, consider using passkeys. Passkeys use your device’s built-in security, such as a fingerprint, face scan or PIN, to provide a more secure and convenient alternative to traditional passwords.
2. Make the most of multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection beyond your password. Even if a password falls into the wrong hands, MFA can help stop unauthorized access by requiring a second verification step, such as a one-time code, fingerprint or facial recognition.
Protect yourself:
- Enable MFA whenever it’s available, especially for financial, email and shopping accounts.
- Choose authenticator apps or device-based authentication when possible.
- Avoid storing sensitive financial information in apps or accounts that don’t offer strong security protections.
3. Stay safe while surfing and shopping online
Whether you’re working from a coffee shop or checking email at an airport, public Wi-Fi networks can expose you to additional security risks if proper safeguards aren’t in place.
Protect yourself:
- Avoid accessing financial accounts or making purchases on unsecured public Wi-Fi.
- Use a personal hotspot or virtual private network (VPN) when connecting away from home.
- Confirm websites use secure connections and be cautious before entering payment information.
4. Spot the signs of an impostor
Scammers frequently impersonate trusted organizations, including financial institutions, employers, government agencies and well-known brands. They may spoof phone numbers, email addresses or websites to appear legitimate.
Protect yourself:
- Pause before clicking a link, opening an attachment or sharing personal information.
- Be skeptical of unexpected requests that create urgency or pressure.
- Contact organizations directly using a verified phone number or website if something doesn’t seem right.
5. Beware of multi-step scams
Today’s fraudsters often use multiple contacts and identities to build credibility over time. A victim may hear from someone posing as tech support, followed by a call from a financial institution and then even someone claiming to represent law enforcement.
The goal is to create a convincing story that pressures the victim into acting quickly, moving money or sharing sensitive information.
Common warning signs include:
- Requests to grant remote access to your computer or device.
- Instructions to move money to a “safe” account.
- Demands for payment through gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
- Requests to keep the situation secret from family members or trusted advisers.
Protect yourself:
- Never provide remote access to your device unless you initiated the contact with a trusted provider.
- If you’re told fraud has been detected on one of your accounts, end the conversation and contact the organization directly using verified contact information.
- Remember: legitimate organizations will never ask you to move money to protect it from fraud.
6. Don’t ghost your software updates
Software updates aren’t just about new features. They often include important security patches that address known vulnerabilities cybercriminals actively target.
Protect yourself:
- Turn on automatic updates whenever possible.
- Keep phones, tablets, computers, smart watches and other connected devices current.
- Remove apps and software you no longer use to reduce potential security risks.
Stay a step ahead of scammers
While scams continue to evolve, the fundamentals of cybersecurity remain the same: use strong passwords, enable MFA, stay alert to suspicious requests and keep your devices updated.
At Wright-Patt Credit Union®, we believe education is one of the best defenses against fraud. Taking a few proactive steps today can help protect your accounts, personal information and peace of mind tomorrow.
For additional fraud prevention tips and resources, visit our fraud education and awareness page at WPCU.coop/StopFraud.
