About Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, time dedicated for the public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.
Over the years it has grown into a collaborative effort between government and industry to enhance cybersecurity awareness, encourage actions by the public to reduce online risk, and generate discussion on cyber threats on a national and global scale. October 2025 marks the 22nd Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Throughout October, we’ll be sharing resources, tips, and reminders focused on the Core 4 best practices for online safety:
- Use strong passwords and a password manager
- Turn on multifactor authentication
- Update your software
- Recognize and report scams
Why it matters:
Cybercriminals continue to use phishing, weak passwords, and outdated software to target people every day. But by practicing these four steps, you can strengthen your defenses and reduce your risk.
- 84%
of people considered online safety a priority
- Only
38% of people use unique passwords for all their accounts
- About
a third of respondents began using a password manager after receiving cyber
training
- 79%
of respondents were familiar with multifactor authentication.
- 70%
of those who have heard of MFA security measure know how to use it
- Only
36% of people always install software updates when they become available
- 69%
of people express confidence in their ability to identify phishing attempts
- 51%
of Americans actively report cybercrimes, particularly instances of phishing.
"Stay Safe Online" What You Can Expect This Month:
- Weekly tips and resources in your inbox
- Social posts to help you recognize common scams
- Easy steps to secure your accounts and devices at home and work
Northwest Bank is committed to helping you stay informed and empowered when it comes to online safety.
Resources:
Below you will find free resources to support Cybersecurity Awareness Month activities. In addition, we have outlined the simple actions we can all take not only during October, but every day throughout the year to stay safe online.
 Use strong passwords |  Turn on MFA
|  Update Your Software |  Spot & Report Scams |
Longer is stronger experts now recommend at least 16 characters for every password. Make each one unique and let a password manager help you create and safely store them. Stay-Safe-Online-Strong-Passwords | Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds a second layer of security, like a fingerprint scan or an authenticator app. Even if a password is stolen, MFA helps keep your accounts locked down. Stay-Safe-Online-MFA-In-2025 | Updates fix security flaws, improve performance, and add new protections. Turn on automatic updates and don’t put off that restart, since even a short delay can leave you vulnerable.
Stay-Safe-Online-Just-Update-Now | Scammers rely on emotions like fear or urgency to trick you into clicking. If a message feels suspicious, don’t reply report it quickly, delete it, and contact your bank directly if needed. Stay-Safe-Online-This-Email-Is-Making-Me-FEEL-Something |
Tips, Articles & Podcasts:
Stay Safe Online!
