Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October marks National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn how to better protect yourself and your business from online threats. It also kicks off the holiday season, a time when cybercriminals increase their efforts with scams that target both individuals and organizations. In this article, we’ll explore common holiday scams, share why staying safe online is easier than you might think, and introduce you to the future of secure passwords: passkeys.
‘Tis the Season…for Scams?
In fact, $73 million in losses were reported in 2022 alone due to holiday shopping scams. During the holidays, scammers exploit the “season of giving” by luring victims with:
- Too-good-to-be-true deals
- Fake charities and donation pages
- Malicious links and phishing emails
- Fraudulent websites that steal personal or financial information
Fleetwood Bank is proud to support Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the 2025 theme: “Stay Safe Online: It’s Easier Than You Think.”
Following just a few simple practices can help protect you from cybercrime. According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), these four steps are key:
- Use strong passwords (and a password manager)
- Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA)
- Recognize and report scams
- Update your software regularly
Passkeys – The Future of Logins
What’s a Passkey?
A passkey lets you log in without typing a password. Instead, it uses:
- Something you have (like your phone or computer)
- Something you are (like your fingerprint or face)
Behind the scenes, passkeys rely on two cryptographic keys:
- A public key stored with the service (like Google or Apple)
- A private key stored securely on your device
Because your private key never leaves your device, your login info isn’t floating around online.
Why Passkeys Are More Secure
- No passwords to phish or steal
- Biometrics or device PIN required
- Private key stays on your device
- Eliminates weak or reused passwords
Passkeys vs. MFA
Passkeys aren’t the same as multifactor authentication (MFA), but they’re similarly secure—just simpler and faster to use. However, passkeys aren’t yet supported everywhere, so MFA remains an essential tool for securing your accounts today.
Pop Quiz Time!
Think you can spot a scam when you see one? Review each scenario carefully and decide if the message come from a legitimate source, or is it a scam?
Report Suspicious Activity Immediately:
If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. Here’s how:
Contact your local Fleetwood Bank branch during business hours.
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 24/7 Hotline: 1-844-Say-CISA (1-844-729-2472)
Helpful Resources
If you suspect you are a victim, don’t hesitate—reach out. Together, we can help keep each other safe and secure.
