Security awareness is about bringing attention to the importance of good security behaviors and habits, and shining a light on the resources you need to be safer and more secure both online and off. We want to help you learn how to reduce your cybersecurity risks and protect yourself from information security leaks, identity theft, scams and other forms of fraud. Please use the resources we provide to improve your own security habits, and share them with your friends and family throughout the year to encourage strong cybersecurity habits.
- Use Tap-to-Pay? Beware of “Ghost Tapping” Scams
Contactless payments you make just tapping your card or phone are fast, convenient, and increasingly common. But there’s a sneaky scam circulating that specifically targets that convenience. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a new type of fraud called “ghost tapping”. What is ghost tapping? Ghost tapping is a type of scam that exploits tap-to-pay / contactless payment technology (sometimes called NFC, for Near-Field Communication). When you tap your card or phone to pay, data is transferred wirelessly. Scammers find ways to misuse that wireless transfer,… Read more: Use Tap-to-Pay? Beware of “Ghost Tapping” Scams - Free In-Flight Wi-Fi: A Great New Perk or a Cyber Trap?
More airlines are starting to offer free Wi-Fi during flights. Southwest Airlines recently announced that their loyalty program members will get free in-flight Wi-Fi on most flights. No more paying $8 – $25 to check your email or social media. You’ll soon be able to connect for free while cruising through the clouds. That’s exciting news for travelers who want to stay productive or entertained during long flights. But before you start streaming, shopping, or banking mid-air, it’s important to understand something most people don’t think about: Free Wi-Fi, even on… Read more: Free In-Flight Wi-Fi: A Great New Perk or a Cyber Trap? - Yes, Your Devices Are Listening to You: Ultrasonic Cross-Device Tracking
You come in from the cold and joke with your loved one that you need a vacation – “I hear Florida is nice this time of year, maybe we should hit the beach.” You don’t think anything of it and go on with your day. That evening, you start getting ads on your phone, laptop, TV, and smart speaker for swimsuits, sunglasses, and sun tan lotion. Suddenly, you get this creepy feeling, “are my devices listening to me?” The simple answer is YES! They are using a new advertising targeting… Read more: Yes, Your Devices Are Listening to You: Ultrasonic Cross-Device Tracking - Beware of Pop-Ups for Verification, Fixes or Updates
In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, attackers are always developing new ways to trick unsuspecting victims. While we’ve shared the dangers of Windows Update pop-ups, attackers have started evolving this scam to include other computer fixes or updates. What makes this scam particularly dangerous is that it doesn’t rely on tricking users into downloading and running suspicious files. Instead, the attacker manipulates the user into executing the commands themselves, effectively handing control to the attacker without realizing it. How the “Fix or Update” Scam Works The malicious websites typically display… Read more: Beware of Pop-Ups for Verification, Fixes or Updates - Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025 – Social Engineering: Dishing on Ishing
Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025 Dishing on “Ishing” For Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025 we’re shining the spotlight on one of the biggest threats to individuals and organizations: social engineering. Instead of trying to break into networks through technical vulnerabilities, cybercriminals often take the easier path, tricking people into giving up sensitive information. At its core, social engineering is about exploiting human trust. Instead of hacking machines, attackers “hack” people, using manipulation, urgency, fear, or curiosity to trick someone into clicking a link, sharing a password, or scanning a QR code. These tactics aren’t… Read more: Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025 – Social Engineering: Dishing on Ishing - FBI Warns Scammers are Spoofing it’s Own Website
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a recent Public Service Announcement about threat actors creating spoofed versions of the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) website. These look-alike sites are designed to trick people into believing they’re interacting with the real IC3 site, but their goal is to steal sensitive data, from your name, address, and email to banking information. Because many people visit IC3 to report cybercrime or scams, these fraudsters exploit those legitimate needs to mislead victims. The FBI Alert The FBI released a PSA titled “Threat… Read more: FBI Warns Scammers are Spoofing it’s Own Website - QR Code Parking Scams: How Scammers are Preying on Scanners
Scammers are placing fake QR code stickers on parking meters to steal your payment information. Learn the warning signs and how to protect yourself before you pay for parking. - Back to School: Cybersecurity for College Students
Starting college or going back to school is an exciting time. It’s a new environment, you’re meeting new people, and juggling school, work, and social life. While you’re adjusting to campus life, cybercriminals have their eyes on you. Most people think older adults are more vulnerable to online fraudsters, with stories of the elderly getting scammed out of their social security or retirement savings. However, the Federal Trade Commission reported that Gen X-ers, millennials and Gen Z adults between the ages of 18 to 59, were 34% more likely than… Read more: Back to School: Cybersecurity for College Students