# Cybersecurity Awareness Month ## Simple Cybersecurity: 4 steps to online safety > “Cybersecurity Awareness Month, every October, is a collaboration between government and private industry to raise awareness about digital security and empower everyone to protect their personal data from digital forms of crime.” - [National Cybersecurity Alliance](https://staysafeonline.org/programs/cybersecurity-awareness-month/) #### Fight cyber crime like Byte Knight and MFA Maven! [![YouTube Video](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AimDcu3xz0g/maxresdefault.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AimDcu3xz0g) *[Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AimDcu3xz0g)* ## Step 1. Strong and unique passwords set the foundation of cybersecurity On a daily basis, the average person logs into some variation of Instagram, TikTok, [banking apps](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/resources/the-survey-room/#industry-leaders-security-rankings/), work accounts, personal email, e-commerce sites, and rideshare accounts. It’s fair to say we live in an online world.  With users sharing so much information, how can they stay safe? It’s actually simple. Using strong and unique passwords helps protect your data. Not sure if your passwords are strong enough? Test [their strength](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/password-strength/) and learn more about [password management](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/blog/world-password-day-strong-passwords-heroes-internet-security/). You can also [get started now](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/products/personal/) with a fully-featured free account for unlimited logins across unlimited devices. [![Vimeo Video](https://vumbnail.com/752654111.jpg)](https://vimeo.com/752654111) *[Watch on Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/752654111)* ## Step 2. Use Multi-Factor Authentication Two-factor authentication (2FA), two-step login, or multi-factor authentication (MFA) refers to the separate methods of verifying one’s identity in order to access an account. This may include logging into an account with a password and then re-confirming with an authentication code. For a more detailed explanation check out this post for [Top 10 Burning Questions on 2FA](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/blog/top-10-burning-questions-on-2fa/) and for more on different methods for 2FA/MFA visit this [two-step login help article](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/help/setup-two-step-login/). Simply put, two-step login offers the extra layer of protection everyone needs. [![Vimeo Video](https://vumbnail.com/752706739.jpg)](https://vimeo.com/752706739) *[Watch on Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/752706739)* > Visit [The Survey Room](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/resources/the-survey-room/): a collection of password management and security related surveys and reports spanning businesses and individuals. ## Did you know? Passkey 2FA is included in every Bitwarden plan, including free! All users can secure their Bitwarden account with a hardware security key or other [FIDO2 WebAuthn](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/blog/fido2-webauthn-2fa-in-all-bitwarden-plans/) credential generator. ## Step 3. Keep your software updated Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds everyone to stay on top of software updates. Typically, updates will patch security flaws, remove bugs, and add features that may better secure information. While it’s tempting to forgo the updates, a couple minutes of updates could prevent hours of headache resulting from a stolen identity. Software updates also help prevent [ransomware attacks](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/blog/accelerate-ransomware-mitigation-with-password-management/). Typically, ransom-centric cyber-criminals are trying to exploit vulnerabilities - including vulnerabilities such as outdated software. [![Vimeo Video](https://vumbnail.com/752707997.jpg)](https://vimeo.com/752707997) *[Watch on Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/752707997)* > Learn more about the [#StopRansomware Guide](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/blog/how-password-security-best-practices-safeguard-against-ransomware/) authored by CISA, the FBI, and the National Security Agency (NSA). ## Step 4. Know how to spot a phishing scam Learn how to stay alert for phishing attacks, which refer to the attempt to trick people into sharing valuable data or visiting malware-infected websites. Users should check to ensure emails are coming from the right sender, hover over links to confirm they go to the right website, and avoid opening attachments from people they don’t know. Be especially careful on mobile devices which do not always have the hover option to see exact email address and link destinations. With the proliferation of generative AI, phishing scams have become even more sophisticated. Fortunately, tools such as password managers can help. Read more about how [password managers help prevent phishing](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/blog/how-password-managers-help-prevent-phishing/). [![Vimeo Video](https://vumbnail.com/752708367.jpg)](https://vimeo.com/752708367) *[Watch on Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/752708367)* ## Additional resources - [7 steps to create a secure (and private) profile online](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/blog/7-steps-to-create-a-secure-and-private-profile-online/) - [The Survey Room](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/resources/the-survey-room/) - [The hacker’s guide to securing your organization](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/go/rachel-tobac-ebook/morningbrew/) - [How to keep data safe in the age of AI](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/data-security-in-age-of-ai/) - [Why enterprises need a password manager](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/resources/why-enterprises-need-a-password-manager/) - [What passwordless adoption means to enterprises](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/blog/what-passwordless-adoption-means-to-enterprises/) - [Qualifying for cyber insurance with secure password management](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/resources/qualifying-for-cyber-insurance-with-secure-password-management/) - [The benefits of offering password management as a service](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/blog/the-benefits-of-offering-password-management-as-a-service/) - [Learn what the experts are saying about Bitwarden](https://bitwarden.com/en-gb/media-spotlight/) Follow Bitwarden on [X/Twitter](https://x.com/bitwarden) so you don't miss out on any Cybersecurity Awareness Month fun! ## Get powerful, trusted password security now. Pick your plan. ## Personal ### Just getting started? *Get basic password management today. Always free.* [Create Free Account](https://bitwarden.com/go/start-free/) --- ### Premium **$1.65** *per month* *Billed annually at $19.80* Enjoy premium features - Integrated authenticator - File attachments - Emergency access - Phishing blocker - Security reports and more Share vault items with one other user [Create Premium Account](https://bitwarden.com/go/start-premium/) --- ### Families **$3.99** *per month* *Up to 6 users, billed annually at $47.88* Secure your family logins - 6 premium accounts - Unlimited sharing - Unlimited collections - Organisation storage Share vault items between six people [Start Free Families Trial](https://bitwarden.com/go/start-families-trial/) --- Pricing shown in USD and based on an annual subscription. Taxes not included. ## Business ### Teams *For teams and growing companies that need to move quickly.* **$4** *per month / per user, billed annually* **No compromise** All Premium features, plus advanced capabilities such as: - Share credentials securely - Audit activity with event logs - Synchronise your existing directory - Automate provisioning with SCIM [Start Free Trial](https://bitwarden.com/go/start-teams-trial/) --- ### Enterprise *For businesses that need advanced protection and control.* **$6** *per month / per user, billed annually* **Maximum protection** All Premium and Teams features, plus enterprise-level capabilities such as: - Granular access control - Passwordless SSO integration - Easy account recovery - Flexibility to self-host - Access Intelligence risk remediation [new] - Free Families plan for all users [Start Free Trial](https://bitwarden.com/go/start-enterprise-trial/) --- ### Talk to Sales *For large organisations, talk to an expert about a tailored plan and learn how Bitwarden can:* *per month* - Reduce cyber security risk - Boost productivity - Integrate seamlessly Bitwarden scales with businesses of any size to bring password security to your organisation [Talk to Sales](https://bitwarden.com/talk-to-sales) --- Pricing shown in USD and based on an annual subscription. Taxes not included.