Don’t Make It Easy for Them:

A text about a missed delivery. An email warning that your account will close. A caller demanding immediate payment. Online scams often begin with an ordinary moment and a request to act before you think.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and GBT’s message is simple: Don’t Make It Easy for Them. You don’t have to be a technology expert to improve your online security. These ten cybersecurity tips can help you recognize scams, protect your accounts, and keep personal information out of the wrong hands.

1. Screen unexpected calls and texts

Let unfamiliar calls go to voicemail, and be cautious with unexpected texts. A familiar name or local number does not prove who is contacting you; scammers can fake caller ID. If a message claims you owe money or must fix an account immediately, pause before responding. [1]

2. Verify contacts independently

If someone claims to represent your bank, internet provider, or a government agency, use a phone number from your statement or the organization’s official website to verify the request. Avoid using the contact information supplied in the suspicious message. A separate call can help you catch an impersonator. [1]

3. Watch for phishing emails

Phishing messages try to trick you into revealing information or opening harmful links and attachments. Be cautious with unexpected invoices, password-reset requests, and urgent account alerts, even when the sender’s name looks familiar. Instead of following an email link, open the company’s app or visit its website directly. [2]

4. Lock and protect your devices

Set a strong passcode or password on your phone, tablet, and computer. Enable automatic screen locking, and lock your device whenever you step away. Avoid leaving an unlocked device unattended: access to your screen can also mean access to your messages, photos, and accounts.

5. Use strong, unique passwords

Give every account its own long password or passphrase. Avoid names, birthdays, and other details someone could guess. A password manager can help generate and store unique passwords, so one stolen password does not unlock multiple accounts. [2]

6. Turn on multifactor authentication

Multifactor authentication, or MFA, adds another verification step when you sign in. Enable it wherever available, especially on your email and financial accounts. Never share a login verification code with an unexpected caller or approve a sign-in request you did not initiate. [2]

7. Think before scanning QR codes or plugging in USB drives

A QR code can send you to a fake website designed to steal your information. Check the destination before opening it, and avoid unexpected codes delivered by text or email. Be wary of stickers placed over an existing code. Likewise, never plug an unknown USB drive into your device. [3]

8. Keep software updated

Updates do more than add features. They also fix security weaknesses. Enable automatic updates when available, and install updates for your devices, apps, and browsers promptly. Use built-in settings or official sources instead of an unexpected pop-up telling you to download a “security fix.” [2]

9. Recognize suspicious payment demands

An urgent demand to pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency is a major scam warning sign. Stop before sending money or sharing gift card numbers. If someone claims payment is necessary to avoid a penalty or protect an account, verify that claim through a trusted contact method. [1]

10. Be thoughtful about social media

Review who can see your posts, and limit the personal details you share. Before posting a photo, check for visible addresses, account information, or other private details. Be cautious with quizzes that ask for information such as your first pet’s name or the street where you grew up.

Make online safety an everyday habit

Start with one action today: replace a reused password, turn on MFA, or install a waiting update. Then share these tips with someone you care about. Small, consistent habits help make online safety part of everyday life.

At GBT, we want our communities to feel more confident staying connected. If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from GBT, contact us directly at 785-372-4236 or visit gbta.net to verify it.

Pause. Verify. Protect. Don’t Make It Easy for Them.

Sources

1. Federal Trade Commission: How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam
2. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: Secure Our World
3. Federal Trade Commission: Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal your information