October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to look more closely at how we protect ourselves online.
We’ve covered the most common cybersecurity threats before, including phishing, suspicious links, and ways to help keep your family safe from hackers. But the threats keep changing. Artificial intelligence (AI) is giving scammers new ways to make emails, text messages, phone calls, and even malicious software look more legitimate.
That doesn’t mean you need to become a cybersecurity expert. It does mean some of the old warning signs aren’t as reliable as they used to be.
The good news? One simple habit can help you catch scams before they go any further: slow down and verify what you’ve been asked to do.
The Scams Are Getting Better at Looking Real
One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed recently involves AI-generated voice calls.
Today’s voice-cloning technology can create remarkably convincing audio. A scammer might call pretending to be someone you know, a business you work with or another trusted person. The voice may sound familiar enough that you don’t stop to question it.
That’s what makes these scams so effective. We’re used to thinking, “I know that voice, so this must be legitimate.”
But a familiar voice doesn’t necessarily mean a real person anymore.
The same idea applies to emails and text messages. AI can help scammers create polished and professional-looking messages without the obvious spelling mistakes or awkward wording that once made suspicious messages easier to spot. AI can also help bad actors create malicious software that looks like an ordinary, legitimate program.
In other words: a scam doesn’t always look like a scam anymore.
That’s why it’s time to change how we evaluate unexpected messages and requests.
New Rules for Spotting Scams in an AI World
Here is a rule I try to keep in mind: If the request involves money, passwords, personal information, or immediate action, verify it another way. It sounds simple, but it challenges you to step out of the moment and examine what’s actually happening.
Here are a few specific “new rules” that can help you avoid AI-created scams:
- Don’t Rely on Typos to Spot a Scam
Spelling mistakes and strange grammar can still raise a red flag, but they aren’t enough anymore. Instead, focus on the request itself.
Did you actually sign up for this service? Were you expecting this email? Does it make sense that this person is contacting you? Is the message asking you to do something you wouldn’t normally do?
Look closely at the details, too. Check the actual email address, not just the sender’s name. Hover over links before clicking them. Be cautious with shortened URLs or links that take you somewhere unexpected.
Be especially careful when a message creates a sense of urgency. A request to “act now” or “verify your account immediately” is a good sign to slow down, not a reason to speed up.
- Think Like a Cyber Detective
When I receive a message or email from someone I don’t recognize, I try to look at the whole picture before I do anything with it.
You can do the same with three simple steps:
- Stop. Don’t click the link, download the attachment or respond immediately.
- Check. Review the sender, website address, phone number, and the information they’re asking you to provide. Think about whether the request fits your normal online activity.
- Verify. If you’re still unsure, go directly to the company’s website, or contact them through a proven method you have used before.
- Go Around the Message
If you notice something fishy based on the steps below, don’t follow the links or steps included in the message. Instead, find other methods to verify the situation at its source. Here are a few tips to address the most common cyber-threat requests:
- Bank: Open the bank’s app or type its website into your browser yourself.
- Delivery company: Check the tracking information through the company’s official website.
- Utility or government agency: Find the phone number on a bill, official website, or previous correspondence.
- Coworker or customer: Contact them using the phone number or email address you already have.
- Small business: If someone asks you to change payment information, call the person or business using a known number before sending money.
That last one is especially valuable for small businesses. A fraudulent request to change a vendor’s bank account or payment instructions can look completely legitimate, particularly when it arrives in an ongoing email conversation. That extra step can make all the difference.
United Is Here to Help
Good cybersecurity starts with awareness, but other people can help, too.
United customers who use a qualifying United router can use the UControl app at no additional charge to see connected devices, manage their network, run speed tests, set basic parental controls, and receive real-time alerts.
For customers who want another layer of network security, Ultimate UControl includes ProtectIQ, which works in the background to help block known harmful websites and malicious traffic before they reach devices on your network, and can send alerts if a security event occurs.
These tools don’t replace good judgment. They give you another layer of visibility and protection while you go about your day.
If you’re ever unsure about your internet service or home network capabilities, we’re here to help. Being a local internet provider means more than keeping your connection running. It means helping our customers understand and use that connection with confidence.
If you want to learn more, United has resources to help you keep your home, family or business highly-secure:
- Your Ultimate Guide to Online Safety — A broader look at online safety tips, including an in-depth look at UControl, ProtectIQ and additional resources.
- 10 Cybersecurity Tips to Keep Your Family Safe from Hackers — A practical guide to protect you and your family from common cybersecurity threats.
- Cybersecurity Tips for Small Business Owners — Specific insights for small businesses lacking dedicated IT teams or massive security budgets.
- Keeping Kids Safe Online — Practical ways to teach kids about online dangers and healthy technology best practices.
AI will transform how we interact with technology, and scammers will find new ways to take advantage. Their scams may change, but the basics of protecting yourself online still matter.
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Author Bio:
Lucas Atkinson
Graphic Designer
As a graphic designer at United Communications, Lucas Atkinson brings the United brand to life across print and digital media. With a background in art and software development—plus a degree in Commercial & Interactive Graphic Design—he’s worked on everything from web development to physical signage. Today, he loves tackling creative projects alongside an authentic, supportive, knowledgeable team that puts people first.