#  Cyber Security Awareness Month 

 



##  Cybersecurity Awareness Month 

 

 

       ![silhouette of group of people during a sunset](/sites/g/files/omnuum12036/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-09/teamwork-2.jpeg?itok=rje3hVQp) 

 

 



 

 



 

##  The Background ... 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a global initiative that raises awareness about online safety and empowers individuals and businesses to protect themselves from cybercrime.

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 - Let's celebrate!!**



 

##  Engage in Events all Month! 

 



  [### Phishing Derby

 ](/cyber-security-awareness-month-phishing-derby)Spot and report all four simulations to be entered into a raffle to win a prize!

Did you catch each week's phish?



 

   ![goldfish and a hook](/sites/g/files/omnuum12036/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-09/phish%20derby.jpeg?itok=pK71e3Tn) 

 

 

 

  [### Virtual Events

 ](/awareness-education-events)Join exciting talks this month!

Events are free but registration is required.



 

   ![llama attending a virtual meeting](/sites/g/files/omnuum12036/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-09/virtual%20event.jpeg?itok=uTS_AN_L) 

 

 

 

  [### Gameshows

 ](/national-cybersecurity-alliance-gameshows-oct-2025)Register to join one of the free online gameshows offered by the National Cybersecurity Alliance!



 

   ![prize wheel](/sites/g/files/omnuum12036/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-09/gameshow.jpeg?itok=5DSGRtyH) 

 

 

 

  [### Follow Sasha!

 ](https://www.instagram.com/sasha_hupd)Sasha is the HUPD Community Engagement Dog with plenty to post about!

Follow her on Instagram @sasha\_hupd



 

   ![black lab dog](/sites/g/files/omnuum12036/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-09/IMG_5190.jpg?itok=BwhZkTS6) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

##  The 2025 AI Hackathon! 

The [2025 AI Hackathon site](https://harvardwiki.atlassian.net/wiki/external/NTQ1NWQxZGNkMmMwNGRjMGFkY2E1MjE4Njc0Mzk3YWE) has now been updated with the readout session recording and the materials shared by some of the teams. Thank you again to all the teams who presented at the readout and/or shared their materials, and to everyone who participated in the Hackathon and readout session!



 

##  Play Games and Have Fun Learning! 

 



 

These game resources are free and can be played in a browser window!

- [Cybersecurity Lab](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/lab/cyber/) (Public Broadcasting Service)
- [Cyber Awareness Challenge](https://www.cyber.mil/cyber-awareness-challenge) (U.S. Department of Defense)
- [Craft a Phish](https://app.livingsecurity.com/player?contentid=3TSmsvgG5XBZPAjNr83VBp) (Living Security)
- [Flag Phishery](https://app.livingsecurity.com/player?contentid=2v8oU5IkcbHj8fMWUzHTMs) (Living Security)
- [The Weakest Link](https://www.isdecisions.com/en/user-security-awareness-game/) (IS Decisions)
- [Cyber Security Fundamentals](https://opencyberai.com/academy/chapter/cyber-security-fundamentals) (OpenCyberAI)
- [Passwordle ](https://passwordle.web.illinois.edu/)(University of Illinois)
- [Digital Escape Room](https://go.uis.edu/securityescape) (University of Illinois)
- [AI-Generated or Real?](https://detectfakes.kellogg.northwestern.edu/) (Northwestern's Kellogg School or Management)



 



      ![hands on a laptop](/sites/g/files/omnuum12036/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-09/online%20games.jpeg?itok=6YCsLSig) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

##  Grab a Snack and Watch a Short Video! 

 



 ### Week 1: Attacks in Messaging Apps

Today’s attackers are launching clever, targeted phishing attacks not just via email, but across your favorite messaging apps.

[Threat Overview Phishing In Messaging Apps](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/Threat%20Overview%20Phishing%20In%20Messaging%20Apps.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=hokO54)

[Social Engineering In Messaging Apps](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/Social%20Engineering%20In%20Messaging%20Apps.m4v?csf=1&web=1&e=JtgbB5)



 

   ![mobile device being held](/sites/g/files/omnuum12036/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-09/message%20apps.jpeg?itok=ds9dWGbF) 

 

 

 

 ### Week 2: Impersonation Tactics

Uncover the shocking ways cybercriminals are using spoofed emails and deepfakes to manipulate, deceive, and outsmart even the savviest online users.

[60 Seconds What Is Spoofing Video](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/60%20Seconds%20What%20Is%20Spoofing%20Video.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=0hias7)

[Deepfake Teams Call Example](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/Deepfake%20Teams%20Call%20example.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=PY5cjW)

[Deepfake Job Scam](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/Deepfake%20Job%20Scam.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=oLQuws)

[Fake or Real](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/Fake%20or%20Real.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=bb8kUU)

[Voice Clone](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/Voice%20Clone.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=ZZACdz)



 

   ![hand holding a plain white face mask](/sites/g/files/omnuum12036/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-09/impersonation.jpeg?itok=qFZxyXts) 

 

 

 

 ### Week 3: Spotting the Scam

Learn why cybercriminals rely on Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams and how you can spot the red flags.

[Notes From An Expert BEC](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/Notes%20From%20An%20Expert%20BEC.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=UrnIfB)

[The Number One Way To Spot A Scam](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/The%20number%20one%20way%20to%20spot%20a%20scam.mov?csf=1&web=1&e=TcHPIp)



 

   ![red flag in the grass](/sites/g/files/omnuum12036/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-09/red%20flags.jpeg?itok=iiizTggQ) 

 

 

 

 ### Week 4: How and why am I Being Attacked?

Learn about the psychology behind social engineering so you can recognize and stay one step ahead.

[VAP (Very Attacked Person) Protecting Accounts](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/VAP%20Protecting%20Accounts.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=XBoCoq)

[Psychology of Social Engineering](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/Psychology%20of%20Social%20Engineering.m4v?csf=1&web=1&e=6wAYhG)

[MFA Bypass](https://hu.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/sites/AwarenessVideos/Shared%20Documents/Videos/CSAM%20Videos/MFA%20Bypass.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=5f1MRs)



 

   ![wooden doll stepping in front of others](/sites/g/files/omnuum12036/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-09/one%20step%20ahead.jpeg?itok=hTYQ6z9h) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

### Resources for Families worth checking out ... 

 

[“Then & Now”](https://www.staysafeonline.org/campaigns/thenandnow) for the older adults in your family. Throughout this workbook, you’ll see a “Then & Now” theme, brought to you by the National Cybersecurity Alliance. Back then, if someone broke into your home, you could see the damage. Now, cybercrime often happens invisibly.

["My First Cyber Toolbox: A Fun and Friendly Guide to Internet Safety for Kids"](https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Cyber-Toolbox-Friendly/dp/B0FDY792V8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1K0ARSG4PXPAA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MuH4pYAvB13sntv_jCXHDQ.bvrJL1ZcwD9NgqJZyYJvmwsru1dM_7Ptj9jkwWkq0XE&dib_tag=se&keywords=jalianny+norris&qid=1758119739&s=books&sprefix=jalianny+norris%2Cstripbooks%2C83&sr=1-1) is a fun, engaging introduction to internet safety, designed especially for young digital explorers aged 5-10. With colorful illustrations and simple language, this book helps children understand how to protect their digital world - just like they protect their toys, secrets, and favorite spaces in real life.



 



      ![adult and child's hands](/sites/g/files/omnuum12036/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-09/familyhands.jpeg?itok=ESwHZd69) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

##  And Don't Forget to Visit ... 

[PrivSec Awareness & Education page](https://privsec.harvard.edu/awareness-and-education) - Explore essential links on the four key best practices and discover a wide range of training resources available at the university.

[Best Practices Resource Hub](https://privsec.harvard.edu/best-practices) - Access a collection of best practices for securing your devices, digital signage, social media, and more.

[1Password Password Manager](https://www.huit.harvard.edu/password-manager) - Sign up for an account today with an exclusive offering for Harvard students, faculty and staff.