Official City of New Britain, CT — Cyber Safety Initiative

Stay Safe in the
Digital World

A free city-wide platform protecting every New Britain resident, senior, student, and small business from cybercrime — launched by .

Free for all residents • No sign-up required • No computer skills needed

📞 Need help right now?  In case of emergency please contact:

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Check back soon for the latest scam and cyber safety alerts.

4 Things Everyone Should Do Online

These four habits stop the vast majority of cyberattacks. Simple, free, and takes less than an hour to set up.

1🔑

Use Strong Passwords & a Password Manager

Average users manage over 100 passwords today. A password manager generates strong, unique passwords and stores them safely — you only need to remember one master password.

  • ✓Use passwords with at least 16 characters
  • ✓Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
  • ✓Use a unique password for every single account
  • ✓Your password manager auto-fills them — no memorizing needed
2🛡️

Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA adds a second verification step when you log in — a code sent to your phone or fingerprint scan. Even if someone steals your password, they still cannot get in.

  • ✓Go to Settings (or "Privacy & Security") on any account
  • ✓Look for "Two-Factor" or "Multi-Factor Authentication"
  • ✓Choose codes by text, email, or an authenticator app
  • ✓One of the single best protections against account takeovers
3🎣

Recognize & Report Phishing

Phishing tricks you into clicking harmful links or giving away personal information. It arrives by email, text, social media, or phone call. AI has made fake messages look very convincing.

  • ✓Watch for urgent or threatening language
  • ✓Check sender email addresses very carefully
  • ✓Hover over links — look for misspelled domains (e.g. "amazan.com")
  • ✓When in doubt: delete it, do not click, and call us at (860) 826-3000
4🔄

Update Your Software Promptly

2 in 5 people rarely or never install software updates. Updates fix the security holes attackers use to break into your devices. Enable automatic updates so it happens without you thinking about it.

  • ✓Watch for update notifications on your phone and computer
  • ✓Install critical security updates immediately — do not delay
  • ✓Turn on automatic updates in your device Settings
  • ✓This applies to your phone, computer, browser, and all apps

⚡ These 4 habits prevent over 90% of cyberattacks

Source: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) — Secure Our World campaign

Common Scams Targeting Our Community

If someone contacts you with any of the following, hang up or delete the message immediately.

📞

IRS / Social Security Scam Calls

Callers claiming to be government agents demand immediate payment or your Social Security number. Government agencies never call demanding payment.

💳

Gift Card Payment Scams

Anyone asking you to pay with Google Play, Apple, or Amazon gift cards is a scammer. No real business or government accepts gift cards as payment.

💻

Tech Support Pop-ups

Pop-up warnings saying your computer is infected and telling you to call a phone number are fake. Close the window and call a trusted family member.

❤️

Romance Scams

Online "friends" or love interests who quickly ask for money or gift cards are almost always scammers. Never send money to someone you have not met in person.

📧

Phishing Emails

Emails pretending to be from your bank, Medicare, or Amazon asking you to "verify" your account. Never click links — call the company's official number instead.

🏆

Fake Lottery Winnings

If you receive a message saying you won a prize but must pay fees first to claim it, it is a scam. You cannot win a lottery you never entered.

🚫 Remember the Golden Rule

Legitimate organizations never ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or your password. When in doubt, hang up and call us at .

Why This Matters

Cybercrime targets everyone — seniors, students, families, and small businesses alike. Launched by , CyberSafe New Britain is a free, city-wide effort to make sure no resident faces a scam or cyberattack alone.

Have a question, a concern, or want to get involved? Reach out to the CyberSafe team or follow the City of New Britain online for updates.