Take Action: Cyber Defense

While the federal government works to defend the homeland, your mission is closer to home—protect your household, because national security starts at your front door.

Cyber Trouble is Closer Than You Think – Here's What You Need to Know

Let’s be honest—thinking about “cyber threats” can feel like one more annoying thing to add to your to-do list. Like spam emails and pop-up ads, it's tempting to ignore it and move on. But this one matters. It’s worth paying attention to because it can hit you where it hurts—your bank account, your job, and your peace of mind. And right now, the chances of being targeted are going up.

In late June 2025, the United States and Israel launched a major military strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. You might think that has nothing to do with small-town Ohio, but when tensions rise overseas, cyberattacks at home often follow. Hackers tied to foreign governments, including Iran, may not go after Washington or the military directly. Instead, they go after what’s easier—everyday Americans, small businesses, and local governments.

Cyber threats are online dangers that aim to steal your information, damage your systems, or trick you into taking harmful actions. These threats come in many forms. Phishing is when someone sends a fake email or message that looks real, hoping you’ll click a bad link or enter your password. Credential harvesting is when hackers steal your usernames and passwords and try to use them on other websites. Disinformation is the spread of false information to confuse or mislead people. A data leak happens when your personal or financial information ends up where it doesn’t belong—often online for others to buy or steal.

Recent Cyber Incidents in Southwest Ohio (past 12 months)

• Washington Court House (City) (Fayette Co.) Ransomware

• Kettering Health Network (Dayton area) Ransomware

• Liberty Township, Butler Co. Ransomware

• Rumpke Waste & Recycling (Colerain Twp., Hamilton Co.) “Cyber security incident” (likely ransomware)

• West Clermont Local School District (Clermont Co.) – Financial fraud incident Phishing / ACH Fraud

• West Clermont Local Schools – PowerSchool Data Breach Third-party data breach

Don’t think it only happens to big companies. Most cybercrime targets regular people.

• "Karen," a retired teacher in the Blanchester area, got an email that looked like it came from her bank. She clicked a link and entered her login. The next day, her checking account was wiped out. It took her weeks to get even some of it back.

• "Mike," who runs a small HVAC business in Lebanon, used the same password for everything. Hackers broke into his email and sent fake bills to his customers. He lost money and trust.

• "Ashley," a college student in Sabina, used public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop. Someone nearby used a fake hotspot to watch her traffic. They got into her student loan account and changed the contact information. She didn’t find out until her credit took a major hit.

You might not think you're important enough to be a target. But hackers are usually not looking for someone specific. They go after anyone they can fool. They look for easy wins—people who reuse passwords, who don't update their phones or computers, and who click on messages that “feel” real. And right now, with tensions rising after the Iran strike, the U.S. government is warning that cyberattacks are more likely.

Federal agencies like DHS and CISA have issued warnings that Iranian-backed hackers and their supporters are stepping up activity. These groups are sending phishing emails, creating fake websites, and scanning the internet for any weaknesses they can find. While there haven’t been major data leaks yet, there’s concern about disinformation campaigns and attempts to spread panic or confusion.

So what can you do? Here’s the truth—it’s a hassle. But just like locking your doors or buckling your seatbelt, it’s worth doing. The first and most important step is to use strong, unique passwords for every account. That may sound impossible, but there's a tool that makes it easy: a password manager.

A password manager is an app that stores all your login information in one secure place. You only have to remember one strong password, and the manager does the rest. It can create long, random passwords that are tough for hackers to guess and store them securely. When you need to log in to a site, the app fills in your info automatically. Most password managers work on both your phone and your computer, syncing your data so you can access it from wherever you are.

Using a password manager means you don’t have to write passwords down or reuse the same one over and over again. You avoid the common mistakes that make it easy for cybercriminals to get in. And if one account gets hacked, your others stay safe.

In addition to using a password manager, turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA).

This adds a second step to your logins, like a text code or app notification, so even if someone has your password, they can’t get in without your phone or approval. Be careful with links in emails or texts, especially if they seem urgent or unexpected. Keep your devices updated—those updates fix security holes. And don’t share personal info like your birthday or address on social media, where hackers can use it to reset your accounts.

You’ve probably seen ads for companies selling identity theft protection or cyber insurance. Some are useful, but be cautious. Many just alert you if your info appears in a leak—which you can check yourself for free on sites like haveibeenpwned.com. These services don’t stop hackers from getting in. Some charge high monthly fees for things you can do yourself with the right tools and habits.

This isn’t about fear—it’s about preparation. No one expects to have their home broken into, but we still lock our doors. Cybersecurity is the same idea for your online life. A password manager, multi-factor authentication, and basic caution online go a long way to protect your identity, your money, and your peace of mind.

If you have questions or want to learn more, Clinton County EMA can help connect you with the right resources. We’re not your IT department, but we are here to help you stay safer—online and off.