Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing a Consumer Alert with tips for Floridians to protect data online in recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. In an increasingly interconnected world, safeguarding personal information online is more important than ever. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, more than 2,100 reported United States data breaches occurred in the first nine months of 2023—making it the worst year on record already. Earlier this year, Attorney General Moody announced Florida’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit. The unit works to stop cybercriminals who prey on Floridians and small businesses.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The best way to avoid cybercrime is to take steps now to increase your security online, but for those of you who do fall prey, I created the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit to help track down criminals online, shut down cyber scams and recover lost funds. While the unit has already been successful, I am issuing a Consumer Alert with tips for Floridians this National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.”
In July, Attorney General Moody announced the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit to help track down cybercriminals targeting Floridians. Since then, the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators Florida Chapter recognized the head of Attorney General Moody’s CFEU with the Prosecutor of the Year Award. The unit has also accomplished the following for Floridians:
- Freezing more than $300 million in cryptocurrency from cybercriminals’ accounts;
- Securing the longest prison sentence recorded in Sarasota County for a case involving trafficking in stolen credit cards; and
- Recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution.
- Use Strong Passwords: Ensure that online accounts are protected with unique passwords that include numbers and special characters;
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: When available, enable multi-factor authentication to provide additional forms of identification before granting access to accounts;
- Be Cautious When Opening Emails or Messages: Be wary when opening unsolicited emails, texts or phone calls asking for personal information or payments. Verify the authenticity of the sender before sharing any sensitive data;
- Keep Software Updated: Regularly update operating systems, applications and antivirus software to patch vulnerabilities and protect against the latest threats; and
- Secure Wi-Fi Networks: Change default router passwords and use strong encryption protocols to protect a home network. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions.