In 2004, the President and Congress of the United States designated October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This initiative aimed to empower individuals to safeguard themselves against the growing prevalence of online threats to technology and sensitive information.
Fast forward 21 years, the FBI Springfield Field Office utilizes Cybersecurity Awareness Month to educate individuals, communities, and businesses on the significance of their everyday actions in reducing online and device-related risks. The FBI encourages the public to deepen their understanding of how to combat emerging cyber threats, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity and safe online practices.
With cyber personnel stationed in all 55 field offices across the U.S., the FBI addresses intrusions affecting not only critical infrastructure and large corporations but also small businesses, educational institutions, local government services, and private citizens. Their efforts support victims and enhance our understanding of adversary tactics and potential targets.
As internet crimes and cyber intrusions continue to evolve, the FBI remains committed to staying ahead of trends. They recommend the following precautions for individuals and businesses:
Always verify email addresses and closely inspect website URLs. Scammers often create slight variations of legitimate sites or email addresses, making them appear credible.
Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited text messages or emails requesting updates or verification of account information. Instead, visit the company’s official website directly or contact them using the phone number listed there to confirm the status of your account.
Keep all systems and software updated, and install a robust, reputable antivirus program.
Exercise caution when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks; avoid conducting sensitive transactions, such as purchases, on these networks.
Use strong and unique passphrases for each online account, and change them regularly.
Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts that offer this feature.
Be wary of messages that pressure you to act quickly.
For added fraud protection, make online purchases using a credit card.
Never send money to someone you meet online or allow an unfamiliar person access to your bank account.
Don’t grant remote access to your computer to strangers who call you.
Carefully review all electronic requests for payments or fund transfers.
Stay alert for sudden changes in business practices from vendors or customers—such as a request to switch to a personal email address from an official one, which could indicate fraud.
Businesses are encouraged to develop an incident response plan that includes a connection to their local FBI field office. Additionally, they should review consumer and industry alerts from the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
According to the IC3’s 2023 Internet Crime Report, Illinois ranks 8th in the nation for the number of complaints and 7th in total victim losses, amounting to nearly $335.8 million. Personal data breaches lead in victim count, followed by non-payment/non-delivery and extortion. Investment fraud accounts for the highest dollar loss.
Timely reporting of cyber incidents is essential. Victims should promptly report cyber-enabled crimes by contacting the FBI Springfield at 217-522-9675 or through the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Doing so not only directs your complaint appropriately but also contributes to the FBI’s efforts to respond to cyber-enabled crimes, educate the public, and assist local law enforcement with a searchable database of information.
Every individual plays a vital role in safeguarding sensitive data, systems, and operations. As the cybersecurity landscape evolves rapidly, staying ahead of threats is crucial. Participating in Cybersecurity Awareness Month can enhance cybersecurity measures and thwart malicious online actors seeking their next victim.
For further information on cybersecurity, visit the FBI’s cyber page for scams and safety tips.
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