Cybersecurity Awareness Month begins October 1, 2026, and runs through October 31. This is the 23rd annual campaign, led by CISA and the National Cybersecurity Alliance.
The theme remains “Secure Our World.” The four basic rules are still important:

• Use strong, unique passwords
• Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Learn how to recognize and report scams and phishing
• Keep your computer, phone, and apps updated

These rules are still good advice, but scams have become much more convincing in 2026. Criminals now use artificial intelligence to create realistic emails, phone calls, voices, and messages that can be difficult to recognize as fake.

What Seniors Need to Know

Today’s scams may include: 

• Fake phone calls using AI-generated voices that sound like a family member, bank employee, or government official.
• Very convincing emails and messages created with AI that look professional and may contain personal information.
• Fake login pages designed to steal your password and even get around some security protections.

The Best Defense
The most important thing to remember is:

STOP – VERIFY – THEN ACT

Don’t let an urgent phone call, email, or text pressure you into acting quickly. Take a moment to stop and verify that the request is real.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a good time to review your passwords, security settings, software updates, and—most importantly—your everyday habits.