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Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025

October 13, 2025

Tips and resources to prioritize online security

As computer use patterns change over the course of different stages of life, risks and threats change as well. For this Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the FM Technology & Innovation team is sharing some insights from cybersecurity experts at the SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security) Institute regarding ways specific age groups tend to be targeted through technology:

1. Child/Pre-Teen: curious, connected, and often unsupervised
   1. Risks: in-game scams, online strangers, data-hungry apps
   2. Needs: safe environments, clear rules, trusted adults to talk to
2. Teen/Young Adult: always online, socially driven, exploring independence
   1. Risks: sextortion, phishing in DMs, fake job/scholarship offers
   2. Needs: judgment-free support, strong privacy habits, peer awareness
3. Gen X/Millennials: balancing careers, kids, and devices
   1. Risks: password reuse, multiple account configurations, social engineering
   2. Needs: strong authentication methods, caution around urgent communications, device security
4. Seniors/Baby Boomers: increasingly digital, sometimes isolated
   1. Risks: impersonation scams, voice-cloning, phishing calls
   2. Needs: tech literacy, scam detection help, patient conversations

If you'd like to learn more, here are some free helpful resources:

Tip Sheet – Seniors/Baby boomers

Tip Sheet – Gen X/Millennials

Tip Sheet – Teen/Young Adult

Tip Sheet – Child/Pre-Teen

Digital Safety Family Checkup (Q&As to discuss with family)

About the author

Albert Lee
Cybersecurity Program & Systems Manager
UVA Facilities Management
(434) 982-5471
albert.lee@virginia.edu