Build digital resilience in the age of AI with our expert tips this Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and this year is all about making life difficult for cybercriminals.

As artificial intelligence becomes more widely available, cybercriminals are using it to create increasingly convincing scams, from fake websites and realistic messages to sophisticated social media profiles. According to F‑Secure's Scam Intelligence & Impacts Report 2026, 52% of scam victims now lose money, more than double the figure reported the previous year.

That's why this year's Cyber Security Awareness Month focus is on digital resilience. By building simple, repeatable habits, you can make it harder for cybercriminals to catch you out, no matter what tactics they use.

Shopping, investment, social media and romance scams may look very different, but they often use the same techniques. Scammers might create a sense of urgency, offer something that seems too good to be true or pressure you to share information or money.

To help you navigate the web safely, we’ve brought you information about the latest scams and practical tips to stay secure.

Shopping scams may not be as common as they once were, with F-Secure reporting they now account for 6% of scams compared to 16% in 2025, but it's still worth keeping your wits about you when shopping online.

Online shopping scams often use fake websites, misleading adverts or unusually low prices to attract attention. What initially looks like a great deal could result in receiving a poor-quality product, nothing arriving at all or your payment details being compromised

Here’s what you should do when shopping online:

Research the seller before buying

Do due diligence and try to do some background checks on the seller or website. Look for customer reviews and ratings from trusted sources to gauge their reliability. You’d be surprised what even a quick check can discover. If you're unsure whether a website is legitimate, our guide on online safety has great tips.

Remember that reviews can be faked or bought

Reviews and ratings can be fake or paid for, so check more than one trusted source rather than relying solely on feedback shown on the retailer’s website.

Ensure the website uses HTTPS encryption

HTTPS encryption is when you see the padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. It means that your sensitive information during transactions is protected. Do not send any personal details or payments over HTTP, as it can be intercepted by criminals.

Prices that seem too good to be true

If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often lure victims with unrealistically low prices on high-demand items, exploiting their trust. Always research a retailer before making a purchase and use a credit card or secure payment method where possible.

Crypto scams are also common, where fraudsters disappear with investors’ money after launching fake projects. You’ll also see AI-generated ads falsely featuring well-known figures (everyone from Martin Lewis to Elon Musk).

So, before investing your money, there are crucial steps to take:

Research the investment company before committing funds

If the company is legitimate, there should be plenty of information available about it. Really do your homework. If you’re serious about investing, then you need to be serious here. Take your time to independently check the company and the person contacting you. Do not rely on links, testimonials or contact details provided in the original advert or message.

Promises of guaranteed or unusually high returns

Rates go up and down, as do the markets. Legitimate advisors will inform you about potential risks and rewards – they won’t just tell you to pick out sports cars.

Avoid pressure tactics

This applies to every scam. “If you don’t invest X now, you’ll miss out on Y deal”. Don’t rush. Read everything carefully. And then read it again. Take your time to thoroughly research and validate investment opportunities before making any financial commitments, and verify profiles before engaging and avoid clicking links sent by accounts you don't know or trust.

Maybe more than ever, social media is the wild west when it comes to scams. Even “verified” accounts aren’t always to be trusted. AI-generated images, videos and profiles can make fake accounts appear more convincing than ever, making it even more important to verify who you're interacting with.

Here’s what to look out for on social media:

Friend requests from unfamiliar or incomplete profiles

Accepting requests from fake accounts can expose both you and your existing friends to online scams, so be wary of anyone you add to your social circle and remember, there is never any obligation to accept friend requests from strangers.

Requests for money or personal information from unknown contacts

If someone asks for personal information or money, take a beat. If something feels off, try to contact the person directly to verify – ideally in person or via video call.

Links accompanied by urgent or unusual messages

If you don’t need to click on a link, then don’t. Scammers can compromise accounts and distribute malicious links that lead to phishing sites or malware downloads. Beware of urgency to click links – that’s usually a tell.

Unexpected competitions, giveaways or offers

Scammers often use prizes, discounts or exclusive deals to encourage people to click links or share personal information. Always check that a promotion comes from an official account or website before taking part.

If you'd like to learn more about the different tactics fraudsters use online, read our guide to social media scams.

Romance scammers build trust through dating apps, social media or other online communities before asking for money, gifts or personal information. And some scammers now use AI-generated photos, videos and messages to help build trust and make fake identities look more believable. In 2022, the median loss in a romance scam was $4,400.

Here’s what to do when engaging in online relationships:

Someone moving the relationship forward very quickly

These relationships start through social media or dating and friendship apps (and sometimes even IRL) and can very quickly feel real and intense, due to the amount of “love bombing” that occurs in the initial stages. Then the asks for money come.

Requests for money, gift cards or financial help

Never send money, gifts or personal details to someone you haven’t met in person, regardless of their emotional appeals or suggested emergencies.

Seek advice from trusted friends or family members

Sometimes, and especially in relationships, we can’t see the wood for the trees. Gain perspective on the relationship dynamics, especially if they’re trying to get you to send money or personal information. You might not like what your inner circle tell you, but they’re looking out for you.

Refusing video calls or meetings

While there can be genuine reasons for this occasionally, repeated excuses or an unwillingness to meet face to face can be a warning sign that the person is not who they claim to be. Be wary if the relationship progresses very quickly or if the person avoids face-to-face or video interactions. Some scammers use manipulated images, videos or AI-generated content to hide their identity.

If you'd like to learn more about how these scams work and how to spot the warning signs, read our guide to romance scams.

While all the information we’ve provided so far applies to specific scams, fraudsters are always evolving their tactics. But there are some general rules worth applying in any given situation to recognise a scam before it’s too late.

1. Stop and think before you click

Scammers love to lure people in with promises of free money, incredible discounts or urgent warnings about account issues. Before clicking on anything or providing personal information, take a step back and ask yourself: does this seem realistic? If there’s even a slight doubt, it’s worth investigating further.

Scams often include phishing links to pages that look identical to real websites – for example, your bank’s login page. Instead of following the link in the message, go directly to the official website through your browser or a trusted phone app.

2. Check links and websites carefully

Scammers often disguise links and emails to look legitimate. If you feel tempted to click, examine carefully how it’s written. One small typo in an email address or a slightly altered URL can be the difference between safety and a phishing attack. For example, scammers might substitute similar-looking letters with numbers – such as changing “O” to “0” or “l” to “1.”

Always hover over links before clicking to check their actual destination.

3. Be cautious with unexpected messages

One of the most common tactics scammers use is to create a sense of urgency. They want you to act fast – whether it’s a fake bank alert, an overdue bill or a “limited-time offer.” Their goal is to pressure you into acting impulsively.

Don’t rush. Take a breath, read carefully and verify the legitimacy of the message before acting. It’s extremely unlikely that you need to do anything quickly, including transferring money to a “safe account,” verifying personal details, fixing your account balance, or responding to any other urgent excuse scammers create.

4. Protect your accounts

Use a strong, unique password for each important account and turn on two-step verification where it is available. Even if a scammer gets hold of your password, two-step verification adds an extra check before they can access your account, helping to build an important layer of digital resilience.

5. Keep your devices updated

Software and app updates often include security improvements. Installing updates when they become available helps protect your devices against known weaknesses.

Cyber Security Awareness Month is a reminder that staying safe online isn't about a single action. It's about building small, repeatable habits that help protect your devices, accounts and personal information over time.

For added peace of mind, Virgin Media broadband includes Essential Security, which helps warn you about potentially harmful websites while you're connected to your home WiFi.

If you’re looking for even more protection, Virgin Media Advanced Security powered by F-Secure can provide an extra layer of protection against phishing links, unsafe websites, viruses and malware, helping you stay safer online wherever you are. Is like your digital bodyguard, quietly protecting you from online trouble. For example, banking protection keeps your money safe, making sure you only deal with real bank sites – not the fake ones scammers love.

Antivirus and malware protection quietly catch sneaky threats like ransomware or spyware in scam emails or downloads. Advanced Security even filters SMS messages, blocking suspicious texts before you see them.