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.
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.
One of the easiest ways to improve online safety is by focusing on the Core 4 - four simple steps that make a big difference:
Adding a quick digital clean-up like deleting unused accounts and limiting what you share on social media can also help lower your risk.
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.
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.
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.
Visit psecu.com/fraud for resources, scam alerts, and guidance to help you outsmart cybercriminals year-round.