There’s always so much to remember around the holiday season, and it’s all very important. But one item you don’t want to forget is cybersecurity. This holiday season, keep cybersecurity at the forefront of your mind while you are scouring the web for deals, wrapping goodies, and supporting your community. These simple reminders will help you keep your data safe and make your holidays happy.
Too good to be true
Online ads and tempting deals can be enticing, but they can also be traps. Beware of offers that seem too good to be true. Hackers place advertisements all over, even on social media, and those links could lead you right into a holiday data-stealing trap! Stick to well-known, reputable websites and sellers.
Secure your gift cards
Be cautious when websites or vendors insist on payment through gift cards. Scammers often prefer this method, as it’s difficult to trace and recover gift card funds. Legitimate sellers should accept conventional payment methods. If you are only given the option of using a gift card, stop the payment process and find a different website to shop from!
Don’t know it? Don’t trust it!
When shopping online, stick to trusted sources and known retailers. Avoid visiting random or suspicious websites. Choose established e-commerce
platforms and stores with a track record of reliability. If you need to check on shipping and delivery updates, you can go back to the trusted site to review those and dismiss any phony alerts you may receive.
Protect your new gadgets
Getting a new gadget is always exciting, but it’s important to be smart about how you use it. Hackers know about Internet of Things (IoT) devices and how to access them. Be sure to follow best practices when firing up these new toys. Change the default password, check all security settings, disable any unnecessary permissions, and keep it up to date to safely enjoy your devices.