ÃÛÌÒ½´Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025

an illustration of a witches hat

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we don't want you to get tricked! 🎃

During the month of October, we will help you get secure with weekly challenges, an AI Escape Room, a Cybersecurity Fair, and much more.

This October, ÃÛÌÒ½´OIT Security is brewing up a spooky-good Cybersecurity Awareness Month full of tricks, treats, and a few digital scares. Each week features a new theme—from outsmarting a “haunted AI” to protecting your privacy and spotting phishing scams—leading up to the in-person Cyber Fair on October 29 in the Moody School Atrium.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an annual international campaign held every October to promote cybersecurity best practices and online safety. It’s a collaboration between government and industry, including and the , aimed at empowering people to protect themselves from cyber threats and make secure choices online.

At SMU, we’re joining the movement to highlight why cybersecurity matters on campus—for your identity, research, work, and everyday digital life. By building strong habits now, you’ll be ready to avoid the tricks and enjoy the treats. 🎃

Cyber Security Challenge

It's spooktacular!

a illustrated ghosts with swirls around its shapeEvery week you will have an opportunity to earn points by completing challenges. Collect enough points and you can win one of several prizes in our raffle. 

Engage with activities all month long and rack up points. The more you do, the more chances you’ll have to win!

Most active participants could earn 70–80 points. Even small participation (like Wordle + one challenge) can net 20–30 points. 

How to Earn Points

Wordle (weekly play) 5 points per week
AI Escape Room (Week 1) 15 points
Privacy Challenge (Week 2) 10 points
Phishing Simulation (Week 3)
Report the phish 15 points
Bonus: Fastest 10 reporters +5 bonus points each
Cyber Fair Attendance (Week 4) 20 points
Cyber Security Challenge

Cyber Fair

Cybersecurity impacts everyone at SMU. Just like Halloween tricksters, cyber threats often wear disguises—whether it’s a phishing email, a fake login page, or a too-good-to-be-true offer.

a pumpkin with a padlock carved into itFrom safeguarding personal accounts and research to protecting University data and systems, we all play a role in keeping our community secure. The Cyber Fair gives you practical tools to spot the tricks, guard your digital “treats,” and stay one step ahead of the scare. By learning a few simple habits now, you can make everyday digital life safer and less stressful for yourself and those around you—no tricks, just treats. 

Join us for interactive booths and explore topics like online safety, phishing awareness, Microsoft Authenticator, privacy, physical security, and more.

Enjoy refreshments while you learn and check in with SMU360 at the fair to earn points toward frightfully fun prizes.

ÃÛÌÒ½´Staff who attend can also earn Wellpower points by participating!

Don’t get tricked!
Join us in the
Moody School Atrium on
October 29, 2025, from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome!

To register and find out more, click the button below.

Cyber Fair