October isn’t just for ghosts and goblins — it’s also prime time for digital dangers.
While trick-or-treaters roam the streets, cybercriminals lurk in the shadows of the internet, ready to pounce on unsuspecting users. But don’t be spooked — October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the perfect moment to shine a light on those hidden threats and learn how to protect yourself.
Whether you’re at home, school, or work, your online choices matter. A few smart habits can be the difference between staying secure and falling victim to a cyberattack. So, let’s lock the digital doors, turn on the virtual porch light, and keep those cyber ghouls at bay.
Stay safe. Stay smart. Stay cyber-aware.
Cybersecurity by the Numbers
Is cybersecurity only top of mind during mandatory training or when a major breach hits the headlines? Or only when you see a social post that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?
If so, it’s time for a mindset shift. Protecting your data shouldn’t be a once-in-a-while concern — it should be part of your everyday routine.
Behind the digital “goblins” are real-world threats, and the numbers don’t lie. Cyberattacks are growing in frequency, sophistication, and impact. Here’s a glimpse at just how serious the situation has become:
- The cost of cybercrime is astronomical and could have serious repercussions on your workplace. By 2025, it’s predicted cybercrime costs will hit $10.5 trillion. And the time it takes for security teams to identify and contain a breach is a little over 34 weeks (241 days).
- When was the last time you double-checked the sender’s email before clicking a link? If you haven’t fallen for a phishing scam, count yourself lucky. In just the first quarter of 2025, In the first quarter of 2025, the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) observed 1,003,924 phishing attacks, the largest number since late 2023.
- Multi-tasking seems to make you an easy target for phishing! When people were multitasking, their ability to spot phishing emails dropped by as much as 30% compared to when they were fully focused. In other words, distractions make it a lot easier for cyber threats to slip through the cracks.
- With each passing year, businesses are realizing how serious they need to take cybersecurity. The first business to name a CISO (chief information security officer) was in 1994; by 2022, 100% of the Fortune 500 had a CISO or equivalent.
- Ransomware also is on a rapid rise. In 2021, it was estimated that a business suffered a ransomware attack every 11 seconds. By 2031, it’s forecasted a consumer or business will be attacked every two seconds.
- Online dating can break more than just your heart — if you’re not careful, it could break your bank. According to the Federal Trade Commission, losses linked to online romance scams topped $823 million in 2024. And the number is estimated to be much higher as romance scams often go unreported.
- Did you get a text saying you had overdue toll charges? You’re not alone. The Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer alert saying that this type of message is most likely a scam, especially if it encourages you to quickly pay your overage to avoid a late fee penalty.
- As the lead federal agency investigating cyberattacks and intrusions, the FBI created the Cyber’s Most Wanted List which contains more than 100 people whose crimes include computer intrusion, wire fraud, identity theft, money laundering, and theft of trade secrets. In 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 859,532 complaints with $16 billion associated with the filings from Americans.
- Hacking might feel like a product of the digital age, but it’s been part of our world for much longer. The term “hack” as we know it today was first coined by MIT back in 1955, and by 1963, “computer hacking” had already made its debut in MIT’s The Tech. And the first computer virus, Creeper, was named after a Scooby-Doo cartoon show character.
- If you don’t need to be reminded to be cyber secure and you’re looking for a new career path, consider cybersecurity. The demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to outstrip supply as more than 4.7 million positions went unfilled globally last year. And despite adding more than 440,000 workers in the past year, the cybersecurity workforce gap grew by 19.1% in 2024.
Make Cybersecurity Part of Your Everyday Routine
Sure, Cybersecurity Awareness Month gets the spotlight every October but staying safe online is a year-round commitment. Cyber threats don’t take breaks, and neither should your digital defenses.
The good news? Staying secure doesn’t have to be complicated. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) recommend four simple steps anyone can take to protect themselves online:
- Turn on multifactor authentication for all your accounts
- Use strong, unique passwords and never share them
- Spot and report phishing attempts
- Keep your software and apps up to date
These small actions can make a big difference. Let’s make cybersecurity a daily habit, not just a Cybersecurity Awareness Month tradition.
And if you’re business is looking to improve your security posture every day, learn more about our managed security services.
