2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Smart habits, strong security.
The risk of identity theft has grown in part due to our increasing connection to a digital world where our sensitive information is valuable to bad actors. Protect your personal information with a proactive approach to cybersecurity.
Latest trends and topics.
Throughout October, we’ll share content to update you on the latest trends and best practices. Some of the topics we’ll cover include:
Generative AI & cybercrime
Deepfakes and AI automation give scammers powerful new tools to deceive.
Who do scammers target?
Anyone can be a victim—cybercriminals cast a wide net to exploit trust.
Cybersecurity fundamentals
Strong passwords, updates, and caution online form your first defense.
Protect with Digital Banking
Use alerts, card controls, and secure logins to safeguard your money.
Online and in-person resources
October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month. We’ll take this opportunity to focus on what you need to know to protect your personal information and assets. This month, find resources available to you online and in person, including:
2025 Guide to Personal Cybersecurity
Learn ways to protect your personal information and recover from fraud in our updated comprehensive guide to personal cybersecurity.
Know the signs. Protect what’s yours.
Your awareness is your strongest defense. Learn how to recognize scams and safeguard your accounts.
Scams and fraud are both forms of deception that disrupt your life and can harm your finances. However, there are key differences that are important to recognize, as they impact your options for recovering funds.
A scam manipulates the victim into willingly providing money or personal information, usually relying on strong emotions such as panic or fear. Fraud involves unauthorized access to personal information without the victim’s knowledge or consent. For example, credit card fraud uses card numbers stolen via data breach or card skimmer to make unauthorized transactions.
It’s generally easier to recover funds lost to fraud. Your financial institution may not have much recourse in the event of a scam.
You might think a scammer would never bother with you. But your personal information matters, no matter who you are. Even if a scammer doesn’t use your information directly, they can sell it on the dark web.
What can they get for your information?
- Social Security Number: $5
- Bank account details: $200+
- Full identity: $1,000+
If something seems unusual about a phone call, text, or email, you should trust your instincts. Is the message:
- Urgent?
- Unexpected?
- Unknown sender?
It’s worth taking a step back to think before acting on the message, as this could be a scam. Here are a few red flags to look out for:
- Someone you know contacts you with a too-good-to-be-true offer.
- Someone you know contacts you via a strange phone number.
- Someone you know starts posting strange offers on social media.
- You get an unexpected call or text from a financial institution, asking you to confirm your PIN, password, or other account details.
- You get a text from the DMV or IRS threatening jail time or fines.
Digital Banking can be a powerful tool for securing your information online. First, here’s how to secure Digital Banking itself:
- Change your password regularly
- Use unique passphrases and usernames
- Activate multifactor authentication, such as biometrics or single-use codes. · Avoid public WiFi networks―consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
- Keep your software and operating systems updated
- Keep your Mobile Banking app updated
Here’s how you can leverage Digital Banking to increase your cybersecurity:
- Set up Account Alerts
- Check balances, transactions, login attempts, wires, and password changes
- Establish Push Notifications for certain alerts
- Use Secured Messaging to contact us when you aren’t certain
- Review transactions regularly – look for anything odd, even small amounts
- Use Card Manager to quickly lock lost cards
- Sign up for eStatements – reduce risk of stolen paper statements
Information security is a shared responsibility.
Learn more about what we do to protect you and what you can do to protect your personal information. Preventing identity theft and other forms of online fraud protects your finances and can give you peace of mind. Practicing good habits online can save you time and money in the long run.
