Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Published: October 23, 2025

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an ideal time to revisit key guidelines for protecting yourself online. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and inventive in their efforts to obtain your personal information and money, using tactics such as phishing, smishing, account hacking, and other scams.

We encourage you to read our guide preventing fraud: steps to safeguard your assets for steps to:

– Fortify your online security

– Protect your personal information

– Safeguard your money

AI-powered cyberattacks

An area of growing concern is the rise of AI powered cyberattacks and fraud. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have enabled cybercriminals to automate and accelerate the intensity of common tactics.

One example is phishing, which are deceptive emails, texts, phone calls, or social media communications that appear to come from legitimate sources, typically seeking personal information, money or the installation of malware. Another emerging tactic is the use of AI chatbots for mass distribution of messages, impersonating trusted organizations or individuals in an effort to profit.

The rise of deep fakes

AI has also facilitated the proliferation of more sophisticated cyberattacks through the use of deep fakes, which are AI generated videos, images, or audio files that convincingly imitate real people. While this is often used to create fake news or smear an individual or company, they are increasingly being used for financial scams. For example, a cybercriminal might create a video or audio file that appears to come from a representative of a financial organization, asking you to wire funds or change your password to access your accounts. Another popular scam is a call from alleged employee of a financial institution, asking you to verify a Zelle or other digital payment. Others may impersonate a loved one in trouble asking you to wire money or send gift cards as soon as possible.

If you receive an unexpected communication requesting personal or financial information:

– Do not click on any links or return any calls

– Always verify the request by contacting the originator of the communication at a verified phone number or email before responding

AI also fights cybercrime

The good news is that AI is also being used in the efforts to combat cybercrime. Organizations, including major financial services firms, email and media platforms, use AI to:

– Review, analyze, and interpret large datasets to identify suspicious patterns of behavior

– Automate cyber security tasks, such as monitoring, analysis, prevention, and remediation

– Implement standards and parameters to alert and prioritize potential suspicious and fraudulent activity

Important Disclosures

This material is provided for informational or educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, accounting, tax or legal advice. Always consult a financial, tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific situation. This communication is not intended as a recommendation or as investment advice of any kind. It is not provided in a fiduciary capacity and may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions. Nothing herein constitutes or should be construed as an offering of advisory services or an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities or a recommendation to invest in any specific investment strategy. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. The views expressed herein are as of a particular point in time and are subject to change without notice. The information and opinions presented herein are general in nature and have been obtained from, or are based on, sources believed by Klingenstein Fields Advisors (“KF Advisors’) to be reliable, but KF Advisors makes no representation as to their accuracy or completeness. Although the information provided is carefully reviewed, KF Advisors cannot be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss resulting from applying any of the information provided. KF Advisors represents two investment advisers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission: Klingenstein, Fields & Co., L.P. ® and KF Group, LP. If you are a KF Advisors client, please remember that it remains your responsibility to advise KF Advisors, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services.