October is a time for pumpkins, hayrides, and apple cider. It is also Cybersecurity Awareness Month – a good opportunity to ensure your personal and financial data is protected against online threats.
During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Sunrise Banks is empowering customers to take control of their digital security. We asked our team of experts to debunk common myths that could put your bank accounts at risk and share expert strategies you can implement right now to safeguard your data, identity, and money.
The Growing Threat of Cybercrime
Cybercrime refers to illegal activity using the internet or technology – including phishing, ransomware, and malware – which has been reported around the world for decades.
While cybercriminals can have many goals, the most common reason for their attacks is financial gain. They do this by tricking people into revealing their passwords, account details, login credentials, or other information – as well as by spreading harmful software or breaching computer systems.
With cybercrime growing and evolving, the topic of cybersecurity has never been more important. According to Pew Research, approximately 73% of Americans have fallen victim to an online scam. In 2024 alone, the FBI reported a record high of $16.6 billion lost to cybercrime.
Cybercriminals often pose as trusted sources, like banks, to exploit human emotions such as fear and loneliness. Through phishing emails, phone calls, and text messages, they pressure you to take immediate action and provide access to confidential information to avoid threats like account suspension.
Contributing to the problem is a false sense of security that consumers and companies have regarding their online presence. Understanding the truth behind common cybersecurity myths will help keep you and your data safe from cybercriminals.
Cybersecurity Myth No. 1: “Scam emails are easy to spot.”
In reality, phishing emails, phone calls, and texts are becoming increasingly sophisticated, putting even the most cautious consumers at risk. Thanks to the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), scamming techniques are evolving, making deceitful communications more convincing than ever before.
Scammers can now replicate branding, tone, messaging, and specific company details to trick consumers. Logos, fonts, colors, employee names, contact information, and other characteristics are easily manipulated to create legitimate-looking emails, login pages, bank statements, and texts.
Hackers often include personal information obtained from data breaches or previous phishing attempts to make these messages appear more credible and earn your confidence.
Tips for Staying Safe:
When determining if a message is legitimate, Michelle Walstad, SVP, Director Operations at Sunrise Banks, says there are key signs customers can look for.
“Sunrise Banks will never ask for a customer’s password or other sensitive credentials via email, text, or phone,” she says. “Legitimate communications may include eStatements or responses to inquiries submitted through online banking. These messages will not contain sensitive information directly. Customers must log in securely to view account details.”
Other signs to look out for:
- An email address, phone number, or mailing address that mimics the actual company’s information, but is off by a character or contains another small differentiator.
- Generic greetings like “Dear Customer” rather than your real name.
- Suspicious attachments or links.
- Spelling errors, incorrect grammar, and other mistakes.
- Urgent or threatening language.
“If a customer ever receives a message claiming to be from Sunrise Banks and feels unsure about its legitimacy, we strongly encourage them to contact the bank directly for verification,” says Walstad.
Cybersecurity Myth No. 2: “I’m not important enough for scammers.”
Scammers attack all types of individuals, companies, and accounts. Because they often use mass communications to cast a wide net and reach the most people possible, hackers don’t usually know what kind of resources their prospective victims have.
Smaller businesses with fewer security measures or staff may be easier targets than large corporations. Attacking individual consumers can be more profitable and easier as smaller amounts of money may go unnoticed but can add up over time – enabling ongoing fraud.
The mindset that your small business is safe or that you aren’t rich enough to attract attention only leaves you more susceptible to cybercrime.
Tips for Staying Safe:
Review your accounts and transactions regularly. If you aren’t familiar with your account activity, you’re likely to miss small thefts or notifications about illegitimate login attempts. Make it a daily or weekly habit to scan your transactions, notifications, vendor information, and account settings so that you can notify your financial institution as soon as fraud is suspected.
Cybersecurity Myth No. 3: “My password is enough protection.”
In many cases, passwords are not enough to protect against online hacks. While it’s a good first line of defense, most passwords can be easily cracked.
Besides using phishing communications, hackers can also steal passwords through data breaches, unsecured networks, malicious software known as malware, or by watching someone type in their password.
In truth, layered security measures – including multi-factor authentication, regular software updates, and consistent monitoring of accounts – are essential for protecting your accounts and data.
Tips for Staying Safe:
When it comes to passwords, choose one that is strong and only used on that account. Avoid including characteristics easily associated with you – like a birthday, anniversary, address, or pet name.
“The longer the password, the better,” says Tyler Berends, Director of Information Security Risk for Sunrise Banks. “Use phrases or sayings whenever possible versus focusing on complexity.”
Berends says a good layer of protection is a FIDO (Fast IDentity Online)-compliant security key, which employs cryptographic credentials instead of requiring users to provide login names or passwords.
You can further protect your data by regularly updating operating systems, apps, and antivirus software – and refraining from accessing confidential information and accounts on public Wi-Fi networks, which can be a hotspot for hackers.
Cybersecurity Myth No. 4: “My social media is safe because I don’t post personal information.”
Social media often plays an intelligence-gathering role in cybercrime. You may think you’re being cautious, but it doesn’t take much for hackers to piece together personal details to help guess passwords and answer security questions. As mentioned above, things like your birthday, pet names, job title, children’s birthdays, maiden name, street name, and other information can become useful ways to break into an account.
Social media is also a convenient platform for scammers to impersonate well-known brands and trusted companies. Scammers can create bogus profiles and accounts, sending you direct messages that solicit information and contain harmful links. Without proper protection in place, hackers can also take over your accounts and scam your followers.
Tips for Staying Safe:
Staying secure on social media starts with managing your privacy settings. Limit who can view your personal information, friends list, and posts. Avoid over-sharing information like travel plans and sensitive details about yourself and your loved ones.
As with phishing emails, always be cautious about attachments and links – and avoid engaging with suspicious or unverified accounts.
Cybersecurity Myth No. 5: “I would know if I’m being hacked.”
By their very design, cybercrime tends to go unnoticed much longer than you would expect. Hackers might quietly monitor your activity and collect your data over time, rather than immediately stealing money from your accounts.
Behind-the-scenes attacks may install malware on your computer that is nearly impossible to detect – except for perhaps a small change in your system that you could easily dismiss as a glitch. Cybercriminals also commonly attack accounts that you don’t access or monitor regularly, delaying evidence of deception.
Tips for Staying Safe:
In addition to regularly checking the transactions, vendors, and logins associated with each of your digital accounts, it’s important to enable alerts for immediate notification of suspicious activity.
“Sunrise Banks has enhanced the real-time alert capabilities within our online banking and debit card services, giving customers immediate visibility into account and access activity,” says Joe Pijus, Director of Digital Operations. “These alerts are customizable and designed to support both security and financial wellness.”
Additionally, watch for strange activity and behavior on your devices, such as unusual pop-ups, new programs, and slow movement, which can indicate the presence of malware.
Your Peace of Mind is Our Priority
At Sunrise Banks, keeping our customers safe in a digital world is at the heart of who we are. Our comprehensive online security center offers valuable resources for personal and business protection, as well as an Identity Theft Emergency Repair Kit to help you take immediate action if fraud is suspected.
We also use advanced technology and proven security protocols to keep your assets and identity safe around the clock.
“Sunrise Banks utilizes automated monitoring systems to identify unusual patterns or transactions,” says Taylor Fox, VP, Director – BSA Officer. “Fraud is constantly evolving, so to stay on top of new trends, we regularly evaluate our detection methods to determine if there are additional controls we can implement.”
Alongside our extensive fraud protection services, we help our customers stay vigilant.
“We prioritize customer education – through in-app messaging, email campaigns, and direct outreach – to help them recognize and avoid common fraud tactics,” says Pijus. “Our goal is not just to respond quickly to fraud, but to reduce its likelihood through layered defenses and informed customers.”
If you have reason to suspect criminal activity, take immediate action: change your online banking password and contact Sunrise Banks to secure your account. Our advanced technology, continuous monitoring, real-time notifications, and expert guidance will help you bank safely and confidently.
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