Cybersecurity Awareness Month, observed each October since 2004, is a reminder that online safety is more important than ever. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission logged over a million reports of identity theft. That’s roughly one every 30 seconds. From banking fraud to account takeovers, personal data is under constant threat. But there are practical, low-cost steps anyone can take to better protect themselves.
This fall, consider adopting a few simple cybersecurity habits.
Start with identity theft protection. Services like LifeLock, IdentityForce, or Aura can alert you to suspicious activity on your credit, monitor the dark web for your personal information, and even help you recover from identity theft. Most of them cost less per month than a streaming subscription.
Next, check your credit report. Sites like CreditKarma.com provide free access to your credit report and ongoing monitoring. Federal law also allows you one free annual credit report from each of the three major bureaus—Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
Another good habit is locking your credit. It’s free and easy to do through each of the major bureaus. Locking your credit helps prevent anyone from opening accounts in your name. You can temporarily unlock it any time you apply for a loan or credit card.
Keep an eye on your bank statements. Comb through your transactions regularly and watch for any charges you don’t recognize. Small, odd amounts—often overlooked—are sometimes test runs by fraudsters. According to Javelin Strategy & Research, victims of identity fraud who don’t catch the signs early can lose hundreds, if not more.
It’s also a smart time to update your passwords. If your email or accounts were caught in a data breach, change those logins immediately. If remembering them is a challenge, consider a password manager or even a handwritten password book, like the one sold by Passionate Penny Pincher, for easy reference.
Reduce your paper trail. Shred old statements, expired ID cards, and outdated documents. Only keep what’s necessary, like tax records or legal paperwork. Identity thieves still sift through trash in search of sensitive information.
Be cautious about what you share online. Refrain from posting your phone number, home address, or even birthday on public platforms. Hackers often use personal details to answer security questions or guess passwords.
And above all, trust your instincts. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Many scams arrive as too-perfect job offers, fake tech support calls, or urgent messages asking for gift card payments. The FTC reported that Americans lost billions to scams three years ago in 2022 alone. IIt’s an alarming trend that continues to rise.
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A few mindful steps this October can help keep your identity and your peace of mind stay intact all year long.
Rachel Redlin is a columnist, author, journalist, and award-winning radio host. She lives in Northwest Kansas with her husband and five children, where she writes about faith, food, and the simple everyday life. Want to read more or contact us? You can subscribe to the FREE newsletter at www.simplybloominggrace.com
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