Fall Into Cybersecurity: Best Practices for this Fall Season

Fall is here—the air is crisp, leaves are changing, and routines are settling back in. Just as we prepare our homes for cooler days by cleaning gutters, sealing windows, and storing up for the winter, we should also take time to strengthen our digital defenses.

Cyber threats don’t take a holiday. In fact, scammers often take advantage of seasonal busyness, shopping deals, and upcoming holidays to trick people. As God calls us to be wise and watchful, we can apply that same vigilance to protecting our digital lives.

Here are some fall-inspired cybersecurity best practices:

Rake Away Old Passwords
Like raking leaves, clear out weak or reused passwords. Use strong, unique passwords for each account. A password manager can help you stay organized.

Don’t Be Spooked by Scams
Phishing emails and fake holiday deals are common this time of year. Be discerning—slow down before clicking links or giving out information. As 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Patch and Protect
Farmers harvest and store crops in the fall, ensuring they last through winter. Likewise, keep your devices healthy by installing software updates, antivirus patches, and security fixes.

Gather with Gratitude, Share with Caution
As families share meals around the table, be mindful of what you share online. Don’t overshare personal details, travel plans, or sensitive information that scammers can use.

Back Up Your Harvest
Just as we store fruits and vegetables and other crops for the months ahead, you should back up important files to the cloud or a secure drive. If disaster strikes, you’ll have your digital harvest safe.

Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting data—it’s about being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. By staying watchful and wise, we not only safeguard our own lives but also protect our families, communities, and ministries from harm.

Let’s “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11) this fall—not only in our spiritual walk, but also in the way we protect ourselves online.

As we prepare for colder days and give thanks for God’s harvest, let’s remember that just as He provides for our physical needs, He also calls us to walk wisely in every part of life—even online. Protecting ourselves and others from harm is part of loving our neighbor and being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for this season of change, for the beauty of fall, and for the reminder that You are faithful in every season. Give us wisdom and discernment to guard our hearts, our homes, and our digital lives. Help us to stay alert against the enemy’s schemes and to use technology in ways that honor You. Protect our families, our communities, and all that we do online.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.