The holiday season has many of us running at warp speed, trying to make sure everything is just perfect, from ensuring gifts and decorations purchased online arrive on time, to securing festive dinner reservations. The pace of holiday shopping can turn happy holidays to bah humbug moments if you fall for a cyber threat.
The National Retail Federation forecasts that during the November-December holiday season, retail sales could reach as much as $989 billion. There’s no doubt the virtual cash registers will be humming. But before you open that next “unbelievable savings” email, check out these five tips to help you stay safe while holiday shopping.
1. Fortify Your Devices
Before you purchase one more gift, take a few minutes to ensure your devices are protected:
- Software updates: If you don’t have automatic updates set for your operating systems, apps, and security software, see if it’s time for manual updates. Outdated software is a playground for cybercriminals. And if you’ve left anti-malware software off your shopping list, consider this purchase to secure all your others.
- Don’t forget about passwords: While it’s tempting to create easy-to-remember passwords used for every log-in, those are the most likely to be easy-to-hack. Unique passwords are critical and can be made easier using a password generator and password manager to keep track of them.
- Enable MFA: Some people complain about the extra step of multi-factor authentication. But that few seconds it takes to authenticate (such as through receiving a code via text) is a critical extra layer of security.
2. Don’t Get Hooked
You’re scanning through a flood of emails, and a subject line catches your eye that sounds too good to be true. It probably is. One of cybercriminals’ favorite holiday traditions is phishing. Protect yourself from these holiday scammers:
- Who’s the sender? Take a quick look at the sender’s address before clicking on anything in the email.
- Common red flags: Hurry, this sales ends in 5 minutes! Urgent messages are a sure sign that you need to look closely at the email before clicking. Poor grammar, typos, and odd links are also common signs of phishing.
- Verify, verify, verify: Always double-check the source before clicking a link or downloading an attachment. Your security depends on it.
3. Steer Clear of Shady Shopping Websites
Spotted an unbelievable deal on that must-have item? Before you click “Buy,” take a pause! Cybercriminals often spin up fake online stores to reel in unsuspecting shoppers. Tread cautiously before purchasing from an online merchant you’ve never heard of by using these tips:
- HTTPS is a dealbreaker: Before you snag that holiday deal, check the site’s URL. If it doesn’t start with “HTTPS” or lacks a padlock icon in the address bar, hit the brakes — it’s not secure! These features mean your data is encrypted and safe.
- Do your homework: Found an amazing deal on a site you’ve never heard of? Pause before you click “buy.” Read reviews, check for solid contact info, and steer clear of high-pressure tactics or sketchy payment methods. A few extra minutes could save you big headaches later.
- Ads can be tricky: Holiday shopping comes with a 53% uptick in malicious ads (“malvertising”). Designed to steal your data or infect your device. During the holiday season, there’s a 53% increase in “malvertising attacks” from malicious ads. Adware, a common culprit, spikes by 227% this time of year. Stay cautious and stick to trusted sites to keep your holiday spirit — and your data — intact.
4. Better Watch Out for Public Wi-Fi
- Catch Yourself Before You Connect: Free Wi-Fi at the mall, grocery store, cafes, and airports might seem like a gift, but hackers love them too! Steer clear of using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like online banking or checking emails. If you really need to connect, make sure you use a virtual private network (VPN) to keep your data secure.
- Stop Auto-Connect Surprises: Is your device automatically hopping onto public Wi-Fi? That’s like opening the door for hackers. Take a moment to check your phone, tablet, or laptop settings and turn off auto-connect for public networks.
5. Stay Merry & Monitor Your Accounts
The holiday hustle is in full swing, and it’s easy to let your finances fall by the wayside. But a quick check of your bank and credit card accounts can save you from post-holiday surprises! Here’s how to sleigh your account security:
- Say yes to alerts: No one likes an avalanche of texts, but alerts from your banks and credit cards is a good thing. You can set them for purchases over a specific amount, purchases made without the card present, or changes in account information.
- Review those statements: Make it a habit to review your bank and credit card statements for any unexpected charges. Spot something odd? Report it right away!
- Consider credit monitoring: With a credit monitoring service, you’re notified of any suspicious changes to your credit report faster than you can say, “Happy New Year!”
This holiday season, let your shopping trips and celebrations be filled with joy, not the stress of a cyberattack. By following these cybersecurity tips, you can safeguard your digital life and focus on the festive fun. Stay alert, stay informed, and prioritize your online security as much as you do your personal safety during this holiday shopping.
And once you’re done with your holiday shopping adventures, unwrap more insights about cybersecurity in our blogs or join our LinkedIn community.
