12 Essential Cyber Security Tips for Safe Online Shopping During the Holidays

With retail e-commerce sales expected to exceed $4.1 trillion worldwide in 2024, online shopping is set to reach unprecedented levels. As reported by Statista, this growth opens up more opportunities for shoppers but also makes them more vulnerable to cyber threats. Cyber attacks spike by 30% during the holiday season, exposing both consumers and companies to higher risks, as CyberDaily reports. Protecting your data and avoiding scams should be a top priority as you prepare for the holidays.

Why Cyber Attacks Increase During the Holidays

During the holiday rush, people are distracted, in a hurry, and often juggling work with personal shopping. This makes them easy targets for hackers. Whether it’s phishing scams disguised as order confirmations or ransomware attacks, the risks are significantly higher.

CyberDaily highlights that ransomware attacks rise during the holiday season, as cybercriminals take advantage of distracted employees and increased online activity. Phishing also remains a prevalent attack method, with cybercriminals exploiting busy holiday schedules and the surge in email communications.

Here are 12 simple but effective cyber security tips to keep your holiday shopping stress-free and secure.

Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it’s risky. These networks are often unsecured, allowing cybercriminals to intercept your data through man-in-the-middle attacks. If you’re making online purchases or logging into sensitive accounts, avoid using public Wi-Fi.

If you must use public Wi-Fi, ensure you activate a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which encrypts your data and secures your connection. For more tips on protecting your devices, read our post on securing mobile devices.

Beware of Phishing Scams

Phishing scams surge during the holidays, as hackers send fake emails disguised as shipping updates or special offers. Clicking on malicious links or attachments can lead to malware or stolen personal data.

Many people take more risks with online shopping during this season, which helps explain why 36% of Americans fall victim to online shopping scams, according to the FBI.

Cybereason also reports that 89% of businesses are particularly worried about increased phishing attacks during the holiday period.

Always verify the sender and avoid clicking on suspicious links, especially those asking for urgent actions or personal information.

See Keepnet free phishing awareness training sources to learn about phishing scams.

Use Credit Cards Instead of Debit Cards

When shopping online, using a credit card is safer than using a debit card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection, and in case of unauthorized charges, you can dispute them more easily. On the other hand, if your debit card is compromised, hackers can drain your bank account, and recovering those funds can be challenging.

Make sure your credit card offers zero-liability protection, so you aren’t responsible for fraudulent charges.

Set up Transaction Alerts

Setting up transaction alerts on your bank accounts and credit cards allows you to monitor activity in real-time. This way, you can quickly detect suspicious transactions and act immediately to prevent further damage.

For added protection, combine this with strong password management. Learn more about safeguarding your passwords in our post on password protection intelligence.

Be Cautious of Suspicious Phone Calls

Vishing, or voice phishing, is an increasingly common holiday scam where attackers impersonate banks or credit card companies to steal personal information. According to Keepnet, 3 out of 4 businesses have lost money to voice scams, highlighting the severity of this growing threat.

If you receive a suspicious call, do not share any personal or financial information. Hang up and call your bank directly using a verified number.

For more insights on vishing, you can check out a real vishing story shared by Keepnet and learn how to protect yourself from these threats.

To better understand how attackers operate and the steps to stay safe, explore Keepnet’s blog post on voice phishing.

Steer Clear of Unbelievable Deals

If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Cybercriminals often set up fake websites offering extreme discounts to trick shoppers into providing payment information. These sites can look legitimate but are designed to steal your financial details.

Additionally, check out this video where Keepnet shares a real-life story of how a fake job offer from a supposed crypto gaming company led to a devastating cyber attack.

Stick to well-known, reputable brands and bookmark trusted websites to avoid mistyping URLs that could lead to phishing websites. For more tips on avoiding phishing, check out our post on spotting phishing websites.

Use a Digital Wallet

Using a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay adds more protection when shopping online. Digital wallets use encryption and tokenization, which makes it harder for hackers to steal your payment information.

Ensure your device is updated with the latest security patches to minimize vulnerabilities. Learn more about how to stay secure with updates in our post on mobile device security.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords

According to Verizon, 81% of data breaches in 2023 involved weak or stolen passwords. Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, and use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols for complexity.

To simplify password management, consider using a password manager to store and generate unique passwords for each account. Popular options include LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password. These tools reduce the risk of all your accounts being compromised in case of a breach. Learn more in our guide on how to create a strong password.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a second layer of security to your accounts. This extra step requires you to verify your identity with a code sent to your phone, even after entering your password, making it harder for hackers to access your accounts.

MFA is especially important for securing your email, banking, and work-related accounts. See how MFA can strengthen your security in our post on MFA phishing protection.

Keep Your Software and Devices Updated

Many high-profile ransomware attacks in 2023 happened because organizations delayed applying critical software updates, according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Keeping your devices and software updated is one of the easiest ways to stay secure.

Make sure your operating systems, browsers, and apps are up to date with the latest security patches.

Be Mindful of What You Share on Social Media

Sharing too much personal information on social media during the holidays can make you a target for cybercriminals. Hackers often use information from social media profiles to answer security questions or craft convincing phishing emails.

Be cautious about what you post publicly, especially personal details like travel plans or family updates. Learn more about how to stay safe online by checking out our guide on being a good digital citizen.

Trust Your Instincts

Lastly, trust your instincts. If something feels off—whether it’s a suspicious email, an unfamiliar website, or a phone call asking for personal information—pause and verify before proceeding. Cybercriminals often rely on catching people off guard, so it’s important to stay vigilant, especially during the busy holiday season.

Protect your holiday season with Keepnet

This holiday season, don’t let cyber threats ruin your celebrations. With the rise in cybercrime, it’s more important than ever to stay secure and vigilant. Keepnet provides comprehensive solutions, including cyber security awareness training and phishing simulation tools, designed to protect your business from evolving threats.

Our tools are proven to reduce the risk of phishing and other cyber attacks by up to 92%. Here’s how Keepnet can help:

• Phishing Simulator: Train your employees to recognize and respond to phishing attempts with realistic, customized phishing simulations.
• Security Awareness Training: Equip your team with essential knowledge to confidently handle cyber threats, minimizing the chances of human error.
• Incident Responder: In the event of a breach, our incident responder tool automates the process, helping you limit damage and restore security efficiently.

Start your free trial today and ensure your business stays protected through the holiday season and beyond.