NYC's Newest Defense Against Cyberattacks? Fortune Cookies

OpenFortune & Take9 Collaborate to Raise Awareness of Cyber Threats Across New York City

NEW YORK, Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenFortune, one of the fastest-growing media companies known for its integration of advertising into fortune cookies, today announced the launch of a month-long effort in support of Take9, a public service campaign created by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and a coalition of our nation's top cybersecurity organizations.

As part of the campaign, OpenFortune will create and distribute over 100,000 branded fortune cookies across New York City, each carrying witty and thought-provoking messages designed to raise awareness around cyber threats and scams. These special edition cookies will be available in restaurants and delivery orders beginning this August, featuring taglines like:

• "Use passwords as complicated as your relationships."
• "Trust your instincts, not public Wi-Fi."
• "Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing."

The mission: spark tens of thousands of dinner table conversations about digital safety. Over 60% of people discuss their fortune cookie messages during a meal, making this campaign one of the most organic and engaging PSA deliveries of its kind.

But it doesn't stop with conversation- the campaign is built for lasting impact. Fortune cookie slips are read, shared, and saved- serving as powerful tools for ongoing awareness. The goal is for at least 20,000 New Yorkers to keep their fortune slips — tucked behind phone cases or posted on fridges — serving as daily reminders to take nine seconds before clicking, sharing, or downloading. By turning a simple fortune cookie moment into a daily reminder, the campaign helps New Yorkers build smarter, safer digital habits.

"Cybersecurity is no longer optional; it's essential," said Shawn Porat, Co-founder and CEO of OpenFortune. "Our goal is to make digital mindfulness second nature for New Yorkers. That's why OpenFortune and Take9 are turning these kinds of everyday moments into opportunities for education and protection through our fortune cookies. We want New Yorkers to realize that the threat of cyberattacks is getting stronger by the day."

Cyber threats are everywhere and increasingly hard to detect. Tech leaders like Apple, Google, and Microsoft offer built-in protections such as passkeys, password managers, and multi-factor authentication (MFA). But technology can only do so much. Being alert, using strong passwords, and taking a brief pause when something seems off are equally critical.

"The deal is that we're trying to get everyone to think hard about how to protect themselves from scams and our country from cyberattacks," said Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies. "Breaking into a cookie and reminding your friends to take 9 seconds before they click, download, or share something online is the sort of serious grassroots action we need to keep our country safe. We thank OpenFortune for stepping in and making this happen in a real way."

OpenFortune's distribution model reaches more than 135 million consumers per month through a network of over 47,000 restaurants and delivery platforms, blending tradition with modern media in a way that's tactile, trusted, and totally unexpected.

To learn more about the campaign, visit OpenFortune.com. For more on the Take9 campaign, visit pausetake9.org.

About OpenFortune
OpenFortune is a media platform that connects brands to consumers at scale – via fortune cookies. Our clients' branded fortune cookies are distributed to over 47,000 restaurants and delivery platforms nationwide. Through our mass distribution network and sophisticated targeting capabilities, OpenFortune reaches the hands, hearts, and minds of up to 135M consumers every month. Optimism, creativity, and tradition are at OpenFortune's core.

Media Contact:
Nicole Christopoul
Director of Integrated Marketing
NicoleC@openfortune.com 

SOURCE OpenFortune