Rocky Credit Union - Cyber Month

Learn to Stay Cyber-Safe this October

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, and we at Rocky Credit Union want to help you to stay protected from digital threats.

The information in this article is from Get Cyber Safe, a national public awareness campaign created to inform Canadians about cyber security and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves online. We highly recommend taking a look at their full resource library!

The reality is that cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated every day, with scammers adopting more sophisticated tactics and AI making everything look believable. Police-reported cyber-related fraud nearly doubled between 2019 and 2024, and almost one in six Canadians report being a victim of a social media account hack. So how can you stay safe?

Know the Language

Malware - Malicious software designed to damage and control a device to steal information.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) - A tactic that adds an extra layer of security to access accounts and devices.
Phishing - Fraudulent messages disguised as legitimate senders to trick people into sending personal information or money.
Ransomware - A type of malware that locks access to files and systems then demands payment to unlock them.
Virtual private network (VPN) - A secure connection that allows users to send and receive data securely when using public Wi-Fi.

Check for Phishing Red Flags

Phishing is one of the most common threats you can encounter online. Luckily, phishing messages can be easy to spot – if you know what you’re looking for. Here are the 7 biggest red flags you should check for when you receive an email or text:

Urgent or threatening language
Requests for sensitive information
Anything too good to be true
Unexpected messages
Conflicting information
Suspicious attachments/links
Unprofessional design

If you spot any of these red flags in a message, don’t click any links, don’t reply or forward, and don’t open attachments. Delete the message, and reach out to the sender through a different channel if you're not sure.

Make Simple Changes

Use a password manager
Enable automatic software updates
Regularly back up devices to the cloud or an external hard drive
Opt-in to Multi-Factor Authentication
Use a VPN, especially on public Wi-Fi
Don’t click the ‘remember me’ option when logging-in
Only shop online from reputable websites
Install anti-virus software
Keep devices locked with a pin or biometric
Change the default network name and password on your Wi-Fi router
Disable Bluetooth on your devices when not in use
Make sure all your accounts have a strong and unique password

Cyber attacks can happen when you least expect it. Waiting too long before taking action could leave you vulnerable. Take action now and your future self will thank you!

Wednesday | October 7, 12:00 PM