Ten Steps to Stay Holiday Safe

Cybersecurity

November 25, 2024

Scammers often target shoppers and travelers during the holiday season. It is important to maintain good Cyber Hygiene to stay safe and protect your personal information from holiday scammers.

Spend some time and a little bit of effort in order to secure your digital life. The potential costs of identity theft and financial lost is too high for you to not be prepared.

Threat agents are counting on you being distracted and letting down your defenses. Stay safe by following the ten steps below.

Holiday Deals

Avoid clicking on unsolicited emails, social media ads, or text messages offering holiday deals that seem too good to be true. Stick to reputable retailers by visiting their official websites directly rather than following links.

Shop on Secure Sites not Apps

Look for "https://" in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar before entering personal or payment information. Avoid shopping on unfamiliar or unsecure websites.

Credit Not Debit

Credit cards often offer better fraud protection than debit cards, and using them can prevent scammers from accessing your main bank account.

2FA All The Way

For online accounts, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible to add an extra layer of security.

Look Out For Fake Alerts

Scammers may send fake notifications pretending to be from carriers like UPS or FedEx. Don’t click on any links; instead, track your packages directly on the carrier’s website using your tracking number.

Say No To Public WiFi

Avoid using public Wi-Fi when shopping or banking online. If you must, use a VPN to secure your connection.

Look Out For Charity Scams

During the holidays, fake charity scams become more common. Research charities on sites like Charity Navigator before donating, and give directly through official channels.

Monitor Your Accounts

Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized charges. Reporting suspicious activity early can limit potential damage.

Look Out For Social Media Scams

Avoid sharing too much information on social media, as scammers can use this information to target you. Watch for fake social media promotions or friend requests that lead to phishing sites.

Keep Up To Date

Keep your devices, apps, and antivirus software up to date to guard against the latest security vulnerabilities.

Be Cyber Aware

Cybersecurity is everyone's job. Let's work together to put your team on the right track.

Find Out How

James Brown