Cybercrime doesn’t take a day off and neither should your defenses. Every October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds us to take a closer look at our digital habits and make sure we’re doing everything we can to protect ourselves online.
At PSECU, protecting member information is a top priority. But cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and there are simple steps everyone can take to reduce their risk.
The Threats to Watch For
Phishing emails, fake websites, and text or phone scams remain some of the most common ways criminals try to steal personal information. Scammers may impersonate trusted companies or use urgent language tied to current events to get people to click on links or share details too quickly.
Technology is also making these attacks harder to spot. Some fraudsters now use artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing messages that can fool even cautious users. That’s why it’s so important to pause, double-check, and verify before taking action.
Start With the Core 4
One of the easiest ways to improve online safety is by focusing on the Core 4 - four simple steps that make a big difference:
- Use strong, unique passwords and consider a password manager.
- Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) wherever it’s available.
- Recognize and report scams before they cause damage.
- Keep your devices and software updated to stay protected with the latest security patches.
Adding a quick digital clean-up like deleting unused accounts and limiting what you share on social media can also help lower your risk.
Everyone Is a Target
Even if you think you don’t have anything worth stealing, cybercriminals can use small pieces of information, like your email address, to build larger scams. Your personal data has value, and protecting it helps prevent fraud and identity theft.
A Family Conversation
Cybersecurity isn’t just for adults. Kids and teens spend much of their time online, making it important to have regular conversations about safe digital habits. Encourage them to avoid oversharing personal information, use strong passwords, and speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
Make It a Habit
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great reminder to revisit your online safety, but the goal is to build lasting habits. Small, consistent steps like enabling MFA or keeping devices updated make it much easier to prevent fraud than to recover from it.
Want more tips to stay protected?
Visit psecu.com/fraud for resources, scam alerts, and guidance to help you outsmart cybercriminals year-round.
The content provided in this publication is for informational purposes only. Nothing stated is to be construed as financial or legal advice. Some products not offered by PSECU. PSECU does not endorse any third parties, including, but not limited to, referenced individuals, companies, organizations, products, blogs, or websites. PSECU does not warrant any advice provided by third parties. PSECU does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by third parties. PSECU recommends that you seek the advice of a qualified financial, tax, legal, or other professional if you have questions.