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Cybercriminals Are Getting Smarter. Here's How New Jerseyans Can Fight Back.
Adults 60 and older reported $7.7 billion in losses to cybercrime in 2025*.
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That number keeps climbing. Cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence to make their attacks faster, more convincing, and a lot harder to spot. This October, as we mark the 23rd annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the message from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) says it plainly: "Don't Make It Easy for Them."
The good news? You don't have to be a tech expert to protect yourself. A few simple habits can make you a much harder target. Here are four of them.
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1. Think before you click.
Phishing remains a go-to tactic for cybercriminals. They send emails, texts, or calls that look and sound like they're from your bank, a government agency, or someone you know. Before you click a link, hover your mouse over it to see where it leads. When in doubt, go directly to the official website yourself. And if something feels off, trust that instinct. Report suspicious messages to the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC), call the AARP Helpline at 877-908-3360 and report it on the AARP Scam-Tracking Map. When we can spot a scam, we can stop a scam!
2. Build passwords that are hard to crack.
A strong password is at least 16 characters long. One easy trick is to use a passphrase, a string of random words and special characters that are memorable to you, but difficult for someone else to guess. Avoid predictable passwords or personal information that could be easy to guess. A reputable password manager can do the heavy lifting for you, creating unique passwords for every account so you're not recycling the same one everywhere.
3. Add a second layer of protection
Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, means that even if someone gets your password, they still can't get in without a second verification step, like a code sent to your phone or a fingerprint scan. Any form of MFA is better than none. If you have options, authentication apps and biometrics are your strongest choice. It takes five minutes to set up and is one of the most effective things you can do.
4. Keep your devices up to date
Outdated software has known security gaps that criminals actively look for. Set your devices to update automatically, including your apps and your browser on your computers AND cellphones. It's a two-minute setup that could save you a whole lot of trouble.
AARP is in your corner.
If you've been targeted by an online scam, you are not alone, and it is not your fault. The AARP Fraud Watch Network™ is a free resource for everyone, with practical tools, real-time scam alerts, and support from trained fraud specialists who have seen it all.
Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network™ Helpline at 877-908-3360, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Sign up for free Watchdog Alerts at aarp.org to stay ahead of the latest scams targeting New Jersey residents.
Scammers count on confusion and silence. Knowledge is the best defense you have. Let's make sure they don't win this October.
Source: *FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) data via aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/aarp-policy.
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