AARP Pennsylvania Highlights Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to remind ourselves of the importance of online safety and the threats that exist in our increasingly digital world. As technology continues to play a significant role in our daily lives, AARP Pennsylvania is dedicated to helping individuals, especially older Pennsylvanians, stay safe online.

Watch AARP Pennsylvania’s Fraud Watch Alert about Cybersecurity Awareness on YouTube.

Mary Bach, AARP Pennsylvania Volunteer and Chair of the Consumer Issues Task Force, emphasizes the importance of being vigilant: "Our lives are more connected than ever before, and it's crucial to be aware of the potential risks. Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to access our personal information. By recognizing and reporting phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and enabling multi-factor authentication, we can significantly reduce the chances of falling prey to these threats."

One of the key areas to focus on during Cybersecurity Awareness Month is recognizing and reporting phishing attempts. Be cautious of unsolicited messages asking for personal information. Avoid sharing sensitive information or credentials with unknown sources, and report phishing attempts immediately.

Using strong passwords is another vital step. Strong passwords should be long, random, and unique, incorporating uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Password managers are excellent tools to help create and store strong passwords for each of your accounts.

David Kalinoski, AARP Pennsylvania Associate State Director, adds, "Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective ways to protect your online accounts. It adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password. Ensure MFA is enabled on all accounts that offer it, particularly email, social media, and financial accounts."

Updating software regularly ensures you have the latest security patches and updates on your devices. If automatic updates are not available, manually check for updates to stay protected.

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Pennsylvania Fraud Resource Page at aarp.org/pafraud.