10/16/2026
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! These seven reminders can help you recognize scams and protect your personal information.
🔐 Keep your login verification codes private.
Scammers may pretend to be your bank and ask for the code sent to your phone. That code could give them access to your account. Never share a login verification code with someone who contacts you, even if they claim to be investigating fraud.
📞 A familiar voice doesn’t prove who’s calling.
AI can imitate a loved one’s voice and make an urgent request for money sound convincing. If something feels unusual, hang up and call that person at a number you already know. Pressure to act quickly or keep the conversation secret is a warning sign.
💬 Verify unexpected texts before clicking.
Messages about missed deliveries, unpaid tolls, or account problems may contain links designed to steal your information. Instead of clicking, open the company’s official app or visit its website directly to check whether the message is legitimate.
🔎 The first search result isn’t always the real website.
Scammers can purchase search ads that lead to convincing copies of banking and other websites. Use your bank’s official app or a verified bookmark to access your account, and check the website address before entering login information.
💻 Don’t give an unexpected “support agent” control of your device.
A pop-up warning or unsolicited call claiming your computer has a virus could be a scam. Don’t call numbers displayed in alarming pop-ups or download software at an unexpected caller’s request. Contact a trusted support provider directly.
🛑 Be careful what you click “Allow” on.
Some scams disguise themselves as shared documents or invitations and ask you to grant an app access to your email or files. Read permission requests carefully, verify unexpected invitations with the sender, and only approve access for apps you trust.
🔄 Don’t keep postponing security updates.
Updates do more than add features—they fix security weaknesses criminals can exploit. Turn on automatic updates for your devices and apps, and promptly install updates that need your approval.
