One of today’s most pervasive threats, romance scams build fake trust and affection to defraud victims. McAfee’s 2026 report found 1 in 7 American adults lost money to online dating or romance scams, and the FTC reports a median loss of $2,000 per victim — $1.14 billion in 2023.
This Cyber Florida Security Operations Center report explains what romance scams are, as well as common tactics, prevention tips, and points to resources for reporting and recovery.
This informational report from the Security Operations Center at Cyber Florida at USF examines emerging AI-driven attack vectors -including deepfake-enabled social engineering, automated malware campaigns, prompt injection, AI-assisted spear phishing, and more; plus practical detection techniques, risk mitigation frameworks, and policy recommendations.
Authors: Waratchaya Luangphairin (June), Eduarda Koop, Isaiah Johnson, and Isaac Ward.
Florida’s critical infrastructure is facing escalating cyber threats that put essential services and public safety at risk. This report analyzes Florida-specific incidents and broader national trends to identify the most urgent threats, including ransomware, cybercriminal activity, nation-state actors, and the growing use of AI in cyberattacks. It offers practical, intelligence-driven recommendations to help leaders strengthen cyber hygiene and enhance resilience across the state.
For small and medium businesses working on federal contracts, the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) can seem overwhelming. Cyber Florida’s new CMMC L1 Guide helps put the new standards into simple language and actionable steps.
The coordinated “typhoon” campaigns, led by actors like Volt Typhoon, reflect a new phase of state-sponsored cyber warfare that demands a comprehensive U.S. and allied response integrating cybersecurity, intelligence, diplomacy, and legal reform. Dive into the McCrary Institute’s comprehensive brief on this persistent threat.
Este recurso apresenta etapas práticas para ajudar a proteger pessoas 60+ e seus familiares, amigos e cuidadores contra fraudes cibernéticas. Pessoas 60+ são cada vez mais alvo de criminosos digitais que exploram a confiança, a falta de familiaridade com a tecnologia e a vulnerabilidade financeira. De golpes de phishing (mensagens falsas que tentam enganar a pessoa para roubar informações) a fraudes de suporte técnico e roubo de identidade, esses ataques frequentemente resultam em danos emocionais e financeiros significativos.
Confira neste guia informações sobre os golpes mais comuns que atingem pessoas 60+, as melhores práticas para manter os dados pessoais protegidos e onde e como denunciar uma fraude cibernética. Compartilhe este guia com sua comunidade!
هذا المورد يقدّم خطوات عملية للحماية من “احتيال كبار السن الإلكتروني”. المحتالون يستغلّون الثقة، عدم الألفة بالتقنية، والضعف المالي. من رسائل التصيّد، إلى دعم فني مزيّف، إلى سرقة الهوية—النتيجة قد تكون خسارة مال وضرر نفسي.
ستجد هنا أشهر الأساليب، أفضل الممارسات لحماية المعلومات، وكيف وأين تُبلّغ.
Este recurso presenta pasos prácticos para ayudar a proteger a las personas mayores de 60 años y a sus familiares, amigos y cuidadores contra el fraude cibernético. Las personas mayores de 60 años son cada vez más un objetivo para los delincuentes digitales que explotan la confianza, la falta de familiaridad con la tecnología y la vulnerabilidad financiera. Desde estafas de phishing (mensajes falsos que intentan engañar a la persona para robarle información) hasta fraudes de soporte técnico y robo de identidad, estos ataques a menudo resultan en daños emocionales y financieros significativos.
En esta guía, encontrarás información sobre las estafas más comunes que afectan a las personas mayores de 60 años, las mejores prácticas para mantener los datos personales protegidos y dónde y cómo denunciar un fraude cibernético. ¡Comparte esta guía con tu comunidad!
This resource offers practical steps to help protect older adults and those who support them against cyber elder fraud. Older adults are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals who exploit trust, unfamiliarity with technology, and financial vulnerability. From phishing scams to tech support fraud and identity theft, these attacks often result in significant emotional and financial harm.
Read through for information on common elder scams, best practices for keeping personal information protected, and where and how to report a cyber elder fraud.
Guide created by the Cyber Florida Security Operations Center. Contributing Security Analysts: Lara Radovanovic, Zahid Rahman, Waratchaya Luangphairin
In today’s digital world, mobile phones are more than just phones. They are our personal secretaries. They manage our schedules, store our health and insurance information, act as our bank and workstations, and encapsulate our entire social lives through apps, photos, videos, and voice messages.
This informational report discusses cell phone privacy and how to prevent unwanted access, or in other words, when “a person gains logical or physical access without permission to a network system, application, data, or other resources. With real-world examples, reputable statistics, and a step-by-by-step guide for both iOS and Android devices, this report serves to help mobile users of all levels stay informed and in control.
Guide created by the Cyber Florida Security Operations Center. Contributing Security Analysts: Waratchaya Luangphairin, Lara Radovanovic, Zahid Rahman
