Warnings and Tips for Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use – and it isn’t just for IT professionals. Anyone using a phone, computer, or the internet can become a target, and in 2025 the FBI reported that internet-related fraud resulted in over $20 billion in losses within the U.S. alone. With communication and commerce increasingly taking place online instead of in-person, consumers must be able to protect themselves, their money, and their personal information. Proactive cybersecurity is an important part of protecting individuals, families, and businesses in the modern world, and it only takes small changes to everyday habits to greatly reduce risk.

It is important to understand that most cybercriminals do not target computer systems; they target computer users. By deceiving and manipulating legitimate users, criminals convince them to voluntarily take actions that make their devices and data more vulnerable to cyberattacks. For example, it is much easier to convince someone that they need help from a tech support company than it is to crack a sophisticated firewall or encrypted Wi-Fi network, so a savvy cybercriminal might send their target a message claiming that they have a virus on their device and they must click a link for help. But in reality, they had no virus at all – until they clicked that link.

Cybercriminals don’t only target big businesses or wealthy individuals. They take advantage of every opportunity they have, which means people from every age group and background are at risk. These risks can take many forms such as phishing messages, malware, fake public Wi-Fi networks, fraudulent online stores, and imposter scams that impersonate a consumer’s bank, service provider, a government agency, or a tech support company. Just like people lock their front door at night to protect their home and family, practicing good cyber hygiene protects real-world finances, identities, and privacy. Simple actions like using multifactor authentication, setting up automatic software updates, and avoiding unknown and unexpected links, all go a long way toward protecting a consumer against cyber threats.

Here are some simple changes consumers can make today:

· Create strong passwords using a “passphrase” or password manager, and use a different password for each account.

· Turn on multifactor authentication so your account is protected even if someone steals your password.

· Set updates to install automatically so your software, apps, and devices are protected against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

· Avoid opening unexpected, unsolicited links or attachments.

· Change your home Wi-Fi router’s default password, enable encryption if available, and keep it updated. Contact your internet service provider to learn more.

· Make social media accounts private to prevent strangers from using your photos or videos to impersonate you with A.I.

Organizations who want to share more information about cybersecurity with their members or audiences can download DATCP’s new Cybersecurity for Consumers and Cybersecurity for Business toolkits for free at DATCPOutreachToolkit.wi.gov.