Stay Ahead of Scams: Your 2025 Cybersecurity Tips

Worried about getting scammed? Here's four simple key actions you can take to secure your accounts, protect your data, and stay one step ahead of online fraudsters.

1. Activate multi-factor authentication (MFA)

One of the most effective shields against an account takeover is multi-factor authentication. This simple security layer makes it significantly harder for scammers to access your online accounts, even if they manage to steal your password. Think of it as a digital deadbolt on your front door.

What is MFA? It's a security process that requires you to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to an account. The most common example is entering your password and then inputting a one-time code sent to your phone or email.

Other verification factors include:

• A security question only you know the answer to.
• Biometrics like your fingerprint or a facial scan.
• A temporary code from an authenticator app.

You can usually find the option to enable MFA in the security settings of your online accounts. Taking a few minutes to set it up for your most critical accounts—like banking, email, and social media—provides a massive boost to your online safety.

2. Strengthen your passwords 

A weak password is an open invitation. If you can easily remember your password, a scammer's software can likely guess it in seconds. Strong password habits are fundamental to protecting your information from falling into the wrong hands.

A strong password is:

• Long: Aim for at least 16 characters.
• Complex: Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Unique: Never reuse passwords across different accounts.

Remembering dozens of complex, unique passwords is a challenge. That's where a password manager becomes essential. These tools securely store all your passwords in an encrypted vault, generate strong new ones on demand, and can automatically fill them in for you.

3. Keep your software updated

Scammers and hackers often exploit known security holes in outdated software to sneak onto your devices. When developers release software updates, they frequently include patches for these vulnerabilities. By delaying updates, you leave a window of opportunity open for cybercriminals.

Make it a habit to install updates for your operating system and applications as soon as they become available. To make this even easier, enable automatic updates on your devices. This ensures you always have the latest security fixes without having to think about it.

Regular updates not only protect you from scams and malware but also often include performance improvements and new features, helping your devices run more smoothly. You can learn more about how to keep your computer and data secure.

4. Learn to spot and report phishing scams

Phishing remains one of the most common tools in a scammer's arsenal. These fraudulent messages—sent via email, text, or social media—are designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link, downloading an infected attachment, or revealing personal information. AI-powered tools now help criminals craft even more convincing and personalized phishing messages.

The key to defending against phishing is to recognize the warning signs and think before you click. Be wary of messages that:

• Create a sense of urgency or fear.
• Contain spelling and grammar mistakes.
• Make offers that seem too good to be true.
• Ask you to click a link or provide sensitive data.
• Come from an unfamiliar sender or have a slightly "off" email address.

If you receive a suspicious message, don't interact with it. Report it through your email or messaging platform, delete it, and block the sender. For more tips, explore how to protect yourself from phishing attacks.

Better protection from scams?

Scams are a common way to your private information. Fraudsters use emails, texts, and other tricks to get your personal information, like Social Security numbers or account details. Staying vigilant is key—never share sensitive information with unsolicited requests.

For added protection, Norton offers tools to help safeguard against scams. Our advanced technology proactively monitors detects scams and alerts you to potential email or SMS scams before they can cause harm.

Your Next Steps for a Safer Digital Life?

Cyberthreats are evolving, but your digital protection can evolve, too. By implementing these simple practices and having the right protection for your devices you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to a scam.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take the time to secure your digital life. Your future self will thank you.