Cyber Security Awareness Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

This October, we’re joining organizations and individuals across the Inland Northwest to raise awareness about how to protect yourself, your family, and your neighbors from cyber threats. Whether you’re banking online, shopping locally, or connecting with friends over social media, it’s important to stay vigilant and stay aware. Below you’ll find practical steps everyone can take to spot scams, respond to a data breach, and keep our region’s digital community safe.

Financial Phishing Scams

Phishing remains one of the most common ways attackers trick people into revealing sensitive information.

  • What it looks like: Emails, texts, or calls that appear to come from a trusted source, asking you to “verify” information or click a link.

  • Red flags to watch for:

    • Urgent or threatening tone (“Your account will be closed!”)

    • Strange sender email address or slight misspellings

    • Links with odd domains (hover before you click)

    • Unexpected attachments

  • How to protect yourself:

    • Never click on links or open attachments unless you’re sure of the source

    • Instead of using links in messages, log in directly via the institution’s official website

    • Use two-factor authentication (2FA) when available

    • Report suspicious emails to your institution (or forward to a phishing-report email)

Strong Passwords

Passwords are your first line of defense — make them count.

  • Include a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols (if allowed).

  • Avoid reused passwords across multiple accounts.

  • Use a reputable password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.

  • Enable multifactor authentication (MFA / 2FA) whenever an account supports it — it adds an extra layer of protection even if your password gets compromised.

Data Breach Protocol

What to do if your personal information has been exposed.

  1. Confirm whether your data is included.

  2. Change your passwords for affected accounts immediately, and for any accounts using the same password.

  3. Enable 2FA/MFA on all accounts if not already active.

  4. Monitor your accounts. Look for unusual activity: new logins, unfamiliar transactions, or alerts from credit agencies.

  5. Place fraud alerts or credit freezes. Depending on the severity, contact major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert or freeze your credit to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.

  6. Report the incident to your local consumer protection agency, the company involved, or national authorities, depending on the breach type.

Keep Software & Devices Updated

Outdated software is a common entry point for attackers.

  • Always install updates for your operating system, apps, antivirus/antimalware software, and firmware

  • Enable automatic updates when feasible.

  • Use antivirus, antimalware, and firewall protections, especially on mobile devices and home networks.

Safe Habits for Everyday Digital Life

  • Be wary of public Wi-Fi. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts on public networks

  • Back up your important data regularly (offline or in encrypted cloud storage).

  • Be cautious about what you share on social media. Personal details (birthdate, pet’s name, hometown) are often used in security questions.

  • Review your privacy and security settings on apps and devices.

  • Stay informed about cyber threats. They are always evolving, so keep up with alerts and best practices.

Let’s Make It a Safe Digital Community

Awareness is the first step. Share this page or secure habits with those in your community. Together, we can make the digital world safer, one strong password, one update, and one smart click at a time.