As the holiday season approaches, our excitement for shopping, festive activities, and connecting with loved ones increases. However, cybercriminals are equally active during this time, targeting vulnerable individuals and organizations. Here are holiday practical cybersecurity tips to help you stay safe and secure online during the season.

Holiday Cybersecurity Tips

During the holidays, particularly Thanksgiving and Christmas, everything is a bit more hectic. Cybercriminals are also busy during this time and looking to take advantage of you. But you can better protect your personal information by being proactive in fight against these thieves.

01 | Beware of phishing scams

Phishing emails and fake websites often surge during the holiday season. Cybercriminals impersonate trusted brands, offering enticing deals or pretending to be charities.

  What to do:

• Double-check the sender’s email address.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious links.
• Visit official websites directly by typing the URL into your browser.

02 | Shop securely online

Online shopping can expose your sensitive data if you’re not cautious. But these three sensible holiday cybersecurity tips will keep you aware while you shop online and in-store.

  Safe shopping:

• Only shop secure websites with “https://” in the URL.
• Avoid public wi-fi for online purchases. If necessary, use a virtual private network (VPN).
• Monitor your bank statements regularly for unauthorized transactions.

03 | Strengthen your passwords

The holiday rush can lead to careless password practices, so try following these best practices:

  Best practices:

• Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
• Enable multi-factor authentication where possible.
• Consider using a password manager to generate and store passwords securely.

04 | Watch out for holiday gift card scams

Gift card scams are a popular tactic during the holidays. Scammers often ask for payment via gift cards or sell fake ones.

  Stay safe:

• Purchase gift cards only from reputable retailers.
• Never share the card number or PIN unless you’re using it directly at a store or online checkout.

05 | Protect your devices

Your smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets are gateways to your personal information.

  Key steps:

• Keep your operating systems, browsers and software up to date.
• use reputable antivirus software.
• Avoid downloading apps or files from untrusted sources.

06 | Stay vigilant on social media

Social media scams, including fake giveaways and holiday offers, are prevalent during this time.

  Be cautious:

• Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages.
• Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
• Set your privacy settings to limit what others can see on your profiles.

07 | Backup your data

Cyberattacks like ransomware can lock you out of your own files. During the holidays, cybersecurity is extremely important, but you must follow practical tips and advice from experts year-round.

  Prepare in advance:

• Regularly back up important files to a secure cloud service or external drive.
• Test your backups to ensure they are working correctly.

08 | Educate your family and friends

Share your cybersecurity knowledge with less tech-savvy family members, especially children and elderly relatives, who are often targeted by scammers.

09 | Use credit cards over debit cards

Credit cards often offer better fraud protection than debit cards. They also limit potential losses if your card information is compromised.

10 | Be cautious with charitable donations

While the holidays inspire generosity, cybercriminals exploit this goodwill.

  How to avoid charity scams:

• Research charities on platforms like Charity Navigator.
• Donate directly through official websites.

Final thoughts

The holiday season is a time for celebration and connection, but it’s also a prime opportunity for cybercriminals. By staying alert and following these cybersecurity tips, you can enjoy the holidays without falling victim to online threats. Stay safe and have a wonderful holiday season!

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