Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Simple Ways to Protect Yourself Online

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is observed each October to help people protect their information, accounts, and devices from online threats. It is a national effort led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency that focuses on practical habits such as recognizing scams, using strong and unique passwords, turning on multi-factor authentication, and keeping software up to date.

Scammers rely on quick reactions. Taking a few extra seconds to verify an email, text, website, or phone call can help protect your personal information and your finances.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received 859,532 internet crime complaints in 2024, with reported losses totaling $16.6 billion. The number is a reminder that online safety is not just an IT issue. It is part of managing your money and protecting your identity. Learn more or report cyber-enabled crime through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

This October, we’re sharing practical ways to spot scams, protect your accounts, prevent identity theft, and shop safely online.

A phishing scam may arrive as an email, text, social media message, phone call, or QR code. It may look like it came from a financial institution, delivery company, government agency, retailer, or someone you know.

The message usually wants one thing: a quick reaction. If scammers can convince you that a matter is urgent, you’re less likely to take time to research the source of the message.

Pause if a message pressures you to act immediately, asks for a password or verification code, or includes an unexpected link or attachment. Do not use the phone number or link in the message to verify it. Instead, contact the company through a number you already know is real or visit its official website yourself.

Before you click, ask:

If the answer is unclear, stop and verify first.

Public Wi-Fi at coffee shops, airports, hotels, and other shared spaces is convenient, but it is not the right place to handle sensitive financial information.

Avoid logging in to financial accounts, entering passwords, or sharing personal information while using a public network. Wait until you are on a trusted connection whenever possible. A trusted virtual private network, or VPN, can add protection, but it is not a reason to lower your guard.

The same habit applies to public computers. If you cannot avoid using one, do not enter sensitive information, save passwords, or leave an account logged in.

A long, unique password is one of the simplest ways to protect an account. Reusing the same password across multiple websites can put more than one account at risk if one of those sites is breached.

Use a different password for every important account. A password manager can help you create and keep track of strong passwords without relying on memory alone.

Then add multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication requires an extra step to prove it is really you, such as a code, prompt, biometric check, or passkey. That added step can make it much harder for someone to access an account, even if they have your password.

Montana Credit Union Digital Banking supports passkeys and biometric login for added account protection. If you would like help getting started, call Montana Credit Union at (406) 727-2210.

Do not share your digital banking username or password with anyone, including someone who claims to be from Montana Credit Union. We will never contact you to ask for that information.

Artificial intelligence can make scam emails, fake websites, voice clones, and videos more convincing. A message may sound polished. A phone call may sound like someone you know. That does not make it legitimate.

Treat unexpected requests for money, personal information, gift cards, passwords, or verification codes with caution. If a family member, friend, coworker, or business contacts you with an unusual request, verify it through another trusted method before you respond or send money.

A quick call to a known phone number can prevent a costly mistake.

Software updates do more than add new features. They often fix security issues that criminals can exploit.

Turn on automatic updates for your phone, computer, browser, apps, and security software whenever possible. If you receive an update notice, do not put it off indefinitely. Keeping devices current is one of the easiest ways to reduce avoidable risk.

QR codes are useful, but they can send you anywhere. A fraudulent QR code may be placed over a legitimate one, printed on a suspicious flyer, or sent in an unexpected message.

Before you scan, consider where the code came from. After scanning, check the web address before opening it. If the destination looks wrong or you were not expecting it, close the page and do not enter any information.

A QR code is just another link. Treat it that way.

Holiday shopping brings more online promotions, delivery notices, charity requests, and last-minute deals. It also gives scammers more opportunities to blend in.

Shop with retailers and websites you know. Be cautious with prices that seem far below what everyone else is charging. Review the web address carefully before entering payment information, and avoid buying through links in unexpected texts or emails.

Keep an eye on your account activity during the season. If you see a transaction you do not recognize, contact your financial institution right away.

Do not delete the messages, receipts, usernames, links, or payment details. Save what you can, then contact the financial institution, company, or payment service involved through its official contact information.

For online fraud and other cyber-enabled crime, file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Even if you are not sure whether your situation qualifies, IC3 encourages people to submit reports so it can track threats and share information with law enforcement partners.

If you think someone has used your identity, start by contacting the companies where fraud occurred and securing your accounts, passwords, and PINs. IdentityTheft.gov can help you report identity theft and create a personal recovery plan.

Montanans can also review the Montana Department of Justice guidance on identity theft, fraud alerts, and security freezes. A security freeze can help prevent someone from opening new credit in your name.

The safest habits are straightforward: slow down when something feels urgent, verify before clicking, protect your account logins, and keep your devices updated. Think before you click.