October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Why You Should Care — and What You Can Do

October is more than just pumpkins, fall weather, and spooky decorations. Since 2004, the U.S. has recognized Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a nationwide initiative focused on cybersecurity education, online safety, and protecting individuals, businesses, and communities from cyber threats.

Led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), this year’s CISA Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme, “Building a Cyber Strong America,” encourages everyone to adopt smart cybersecurity best practices to protect your personal information online

In this blog, we'll cover:

  1. Why Cybersecurity Awareness Month matters

  2. What kinds of cyber threats are out there

  3. The four (actually, simple) key behaviors CISA promotes

  4. How students, families, and local organizations can join in

  5. Tips, resources, and next steps

Let’s dive in.

1. Why Cybersecurity Awareness Month Matters

Cybersecurity for individuals is more important than ever. Cyber attacks can lead to data breaches, identity theft, and loss of personal data. Even small mistakes, like clicking a phishing attack link or downloading malicious software, can compromise your computer systems and expose private information.

Strong security measures and regular cybersecurity education are important. When you understand the risks, you can better stop harmful code or social engineering scams before they spread.

You are a target (or could be one)

Cyber threats don’t just hit large corporations or governments, they hit regular people too. Everyday users often face threats like identity theft, account takeover, ransomware, phishing scams, and malware in links.

Human behavior is the weakest link

Even well-protected systems can fail if a person clicks a malicious link or uses a weak password. Studies consistently show that many breaches begin with user error. That’s why awareness and education are critical.

Collective defense helps us all

When more people adopt safe practices, the overall network becomes stronger. CISA’s campaign emphasizes that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, whether you're a teenager, teacher, or small business owner.

In short: protecting yourself helps protect others.

2. Common Cyber Threats You Should Know About

Before we talk about what to do, it helps to know what you're protecting against. Here are a few of the most common threats:

  • Phishing – Fake emails, text messages, or pop-ups that trick you into clicking links or sharing credentials. They often appear to come from a trusted source, like your bank or a school.

  • Ransomware – Malicious software used to hold personal data hostage, that locks your files or device and demands payment to unlock them.

  • Malware & Viruses – Programs that infect your operating system or steal your private information.

  • Credential stuffing and account takeover happen when your username and password are leaked. Attackers use these details on other sites. Many people reuse their login information, making it easier for them.

  • Supply chain attacks happen when hackers compromise software, vendors, or third-party tools. They use these to infiltrate other organizations.

  • Zero-day exploits – Attackers discover and exploit flaws before software makers patch them.

Staying alert to these cyber threats and maintaining good online security tips can help you avoid infections and protect your data.

3. CISA’s Four Easy (But Powerful) Cyber Behaviors

CISA encourages four key actions that people and small groups can take. These actions can help improve cybersecurity all year, not just in October.

Here they are, with tips and explanation:

1. Use strong passwords and a password manager

  • Avoid simple, easily guessed passwords (like “123456” or “password”).

  • Use long, unique passphrases when possible (e.g. “Sunny@JazzCoffee#42”).

  • A password manager helps generate and safely store complex passwords, reducing the risk of data breaches or identity theft.

  • Many password managers also detect if one of your credentials is exposed in a data breach.

2. Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA)

  • MFA adds a second layer of verification (text, app code, fingerprint, etc.).

  • Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another wall of defense against cyber attacks, especially if your personal information ever leaks online.

  • Even if an attacker steals your password, they still need that second factor, which often protects accounts.

  • Enable MFA on email, banking, social media, gaming, school accounts, wherever possible.

3. Update software regularly

  • Regular updates to your operating system and apps close security gaps that hackers exploit with malicious code or downloads malware.

  • Updates (patches) fix known security flaws.

  • Delay in applying updates gives attackers a window to exploit vulnerabilities.

  • That goes for your operating system, apps, browser, plugins, firmware, everything.

  • Enable automatic updates if possible.

4. Recognize and report phishing

  • Learning how to spot phishing attacks is one of the most valuable cybersecurity tips for individuals and small businesses alike.

  • Look for signs: odd sender address, misspellings, urgent or threatening language, mismatched URLs, unexpected attachments.

  • Hover over links to see where they really go before clicking.

  • If in doubt, contact the sender (via known channels) to confirm.

  • Report phishing attempts: your company’s IT team, your school’s tech office, or through tools like “Report a Cyber Issue” from CISA.

These four behaviors are simple but taken together, they form the foundation of a strong personal defense.

4. How Students, Families & Local Groups Can Join the Movement

Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be boring or high-tech. Creative and practical ways exist for schools, families, and community groups to get involved.

Whether you manage devices at home or school, basic cybersecurity practices can help. Use private networks and enable VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) on mobile devices and talking about online safety can make a big difference.

For Students & Classrooms

  • Cyber Bingo or quizzes using CISA’s or NCA’s toolkit resources. CISA

  • “Know the Phish” contest: show different email examples and have students spot the phish.

  • Digital citizenship lessons: teach safe social media practices, privacy settings, and staying safe online.

  • Guest speaker or virtual webinar (IT staff, cybersecurity professionals).

  • Poster campaigns, blog posts, or short videos highlighting one cyber tip per day.

For Families

  • Have a family cybersecurity night — walk through all devices, check for updates, enable MFA, clean unused apps.

  • Create a household “password challenge”: replace weak passwords this week.

  • Discuss scams targeted to youth or elders (social engineering, tech support scams).

  • Teach kids to pause and think before clicking unknown links or giving personal info.

For Local Businesses, Churches, Clubs, and Community Groups

  • Become a Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champion (via CISA or NCA), using their free toolkit and branded materials. Stay Safe Online

  • Host a “lunch and learn” session about cybersecurity basics.

  • Distribute tip sheets or infographics in your building, newsletter, or website.

  • Run a phishing simulation (fake email to test readiness) and follow it up with training.

  • Organize a local social media campaign, using #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth and #SecureOurWorld.

Because much of America’s critical infrastructure is built on small- and medium-sized businesses, CISA is asking them to take action now to boost their cybersecurity readiness. CISA

5. Tips, Resources, and Next Steps

Additional Tips

  • Back up your data — local and in the cloud — so malware or hardware failure won’t devastate you.

  • Review your privacy settings (social media, apps, devices).

  • Don’t reuse passwords across important accounts.

  • Be suspicious of unsolicited messages (even from people you know) that ask for money or personal data.

  • Use antivirus/antimalware software and keep it up to date.

  • Limit how much personal info is publicly shared online.

  • When in school or work networks, avoid open/unsecured Wi-Fi for sensitive tasks.

Trusted Resources to Explore

  • CISA Cybersecurity Awareness Month site — access toolkits, tip sheets, templates. CISA

  • CISA’s “Secure Our World” resources — tip sheets in multiple languages, videos, infographics. CISA

  • National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) — campaigns, materials, and partnership with CISA. Stay Safe Online

  • CISA’s cybersecurity awareness training and public safety toolkits.

  • NICCS (National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies) — free courses, career info, resources. Wikipedia

What You Can Do Starting Today

  1. Pick one key behavior (passwords, MFA, updates, phishing) and make it a habit this week.

  2. Share what you learn — with friends, family, or on social media — using campaign hashtags.

  3. Encourage your school or workplace to host a cybersecurity awareness event.

  4. Be a champion inside your circle: lead by example, share resources, help others get protected.

  5. Revisit your practices regularly — cybersecurity is not a one-and-done thing.

Closing Thoughts

Cybersecurity might feel like a high-stakes, high-technology domain, but at its heart, it’s deeply human. It’s about habits, choices, and collective effort.

If we all take small, smart steps, we can make the digital world safer. Simple actions include using strong passwords, turning on MFA, updating software, and spotting phishing. These steps help protect ourselves and those around us.

This October (and every day), let’s commit to doing our part. Cyber threats won’t wait, but neither should you - stay a step ahead with FWCCU’s Cybersecurity Resources.

Dominique Phongsavath