The holiday season is fast approaching. It is a time for joy, connection, and (let’s be honest) a bit of online shopping. Unfortunately, it is also a prime time for cybercriminals to take advantage of distracted shoppers and travelers. Whether you’re buying gifts online or checking emails from the airport, staying vigilant can save you from headaches down the road.
Here are some quick cybersecurity reminders to help you stay secure this holiday season:
1. Shop Only on Trusted Websites
Stick to retailers you know and trust. Look for “https://” in the website URL. That extra “s” means the site is secure. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, especially from unknown sellers or links in social media ads.
Tip: Bookmark your favorite shopping sites and go directly to them instead of clicking links in emails or texts.
2. Watch Out for Phishing Scams
The holidays bring an uptick in fake shipping notifications, “order confirmations,” and gift card scams. Cybercriminals use these to trick you into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information.
Tip: Double-check the sender’s email address and hover over links before clicking. If you’re unsure, go directly to the retailer’s website to verify your order or shipment status.
3. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Using the same password across multiple accounts is like giving cybercriminals a skeleton key to your online life. Create strong, unique passwords for each account, or better yet, use a password manager to keep track of them.
Tip: Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. It adds an extra layer of protection, even if your password gets compromised.
4. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Activities
Airport, café, and hotel Wi-Fi networks are convenient but risky. Hackers can intercept your data on unsecured connections.
Tip: Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when connecting to public Wi-Fi, or wait until you’re on a trusted network before logging into accounts or making purchases.
5. Monitor Bank and Credit Card Statements
Keep a close eye on your financial accounts during the holidays. Small unauthorized charges can be an early sign of fraud.
Tip: Set up transaction alerts with your bank or credit card company to get notified immediately about any suspicious activity.
6. Keep Devices Updated
Updates may seem inconvenient, but they often patch critical security vulnerabilities. Before you travel, make sure your devices and apps are running the latest versions.
Tip: Enable automatic updates and restart your devices periodically to ensure patches are applied.
7. Be Cautious with Travel Booking Sites
Cybercriminals often create fake booking sites or send spoofed travel deals to capture payment details. Always verify the legitimacy of booking platforms before entering any information.
Tip: Book directly through the airline, hotel, or a well-known travel site. Avoid clicking on “too good to be true” travel offers shared via email or social media.
Stay Cyber-Safe, Stay Merry
The holidays are meant for joy, not cybersecurity incidents. With a few simple precautions, you can keep your personal and financial information safe while enjoying all the season has to offer.
Wishing you a happy and cyber-secure holiday season!
