Safe Shopping: Essential Cyber Security Tips for the Holidays

Christopher Souza | CEO

With the holidays upon us, the season of gift-giving is in full swing. Black Friday sales are starting earlier each year, and Cyber Monday always brings some enticing deals. But sometimes, those deals are too good to be true.

When shopping online, you’re essentially putting a lot of personal information out there—making it easier for hackers to access details like your full name, shipping and billing addresses, email, phone number, and, of course, credit card information. In more severe cases, you might even be sharing sensitive data such as your birthday or Social Security number when signing up for store credit cards or loyalty programs. Either way, it’s safe to say you probably don’t want this vital information out there for anyone to find.

Cybercriminals often target victims during the holidays through social media platforms and third-party programs designed to steal personal information. Victims of these scams can lose as much as $1,500 or more—an unexpected hit that certainly isn’t accounted for in most holiday budgets.

Don’t become a victim. Whether you’re shopping for friends, family, or treating yourself to a great deal, it’s crucial to stay vigilant with your cybersecurity. TSI has compiled these 8 tips to help keep you safe during the holiday shopping season—so you can spend more money on gifts and give less money to scammers.

1.  Stay Secure

No matter what device you’re using to browse or shop—whether it’s a desktop, tablet, smartphone, or even a smart fridge, if that’s your thing—make sure it’s updated with the latest security patches. You don’t want to leave your devices vulnerable with outdated software or weak firewalls that hackers can exploit to steal your information.

2. Shop from Trusted Sources

When shopping online, it’s best to stick to websites you know and trust, or those with a solid reputation. Avoiding unfamiliar retailers could be the difference between scoring a $20 shirt and falling victim to a $200 scam. Always do your research and check reviews if you’re not familiar with a store. That Instagram ad for a new shop with amazing, out of this world deals might just really be not from this planet.

3. Monitor your Payment Method

When shopping online, you’ll inevitably need to enter your precious card information into a retailer’s database to complete your purchase. That’s why we always recommend using a credit card over a debit card. Debit cards are directly linked to your bank account, and if cybercriminals get hold of your card details, they could potentially access all your accounts. Credit card disputes are much easier to resolve, and using a credit card helps protect your savings. Regardless, always check your card balances after making an online purchase to ensure your information hasn’t been compromised or exploited.

4. Avoid Obvious Scam Deals

Wow! The new iPhone is 95% off at a store called Scams R’ Us??? Sign me up, right? WRONG. While it’s a good thing that the holidays are prime time for shopping with major retailers offering great deals, it also means shady, less-reputable businesses will advertise deals that sound even better—often ones that sound like a steal. Scammers use these enticing offers to lure victims. Stay vigilant, research the retailer, and don’t fall for deals that seem too good to be true—because they probably are!

5. Don’t Fall for Holiday Phishing

Phishing is a tried-and-true tactic that cybercriminals often use to trick you into revealing personal information. They often send emails, messages, or create fake websites designed to steal your financial and personal data. It can be tricky to tell what’s real and what’s fake, so one key tip is to always verify the sender’s identity before clicking on any links or responding. Remember, no legitimate business will ever ask for confidential information via email.

Learn more about phishing here: Phishing | What Does Phishing Mean? | TSI Support

6. Use a VPN While Shopping

A great way to protect your online privacy and keep your personal and financial information secure is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) while shopping—especially when using public Wi-Fi.

7. Make Strong and Unique Passwords

For any accounts you create while online shopping, it’s a good practice to use long, complex passwords and avoid reusing the same one across multiple sites. A password manager can be a great tool to help you keep track of them all and stay secure.

8. Just Be Careful

No matter what type of shopping you’re doing, cybersecurity should always be a top priority. Keep a close eye on your accounts after every purchase, save all emailed receipts, and stay alert to potential threats. The holidays are meant to be a joyous time of celebration, not one filled with paranoia or cyber scams. So, stay informed, stay safe, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at TSI if you have any questions. We wish you a safe and cyber-secure holiday season!

About Technical Support International

TSI is 35-year old cybersecurity (MSSP) and IT support (MSP) company specializing in helping DIB organizations address their NIST 800-171 and CMMC compliance obligations. As a CMMC-AB Registered Provider Organization (RPO), TSI offers a complete NIST 800-171 and CMMC support solution to help guide our clients toward a successful certification audit and provide the assurance that they’re adhering to these expansive compliance requirements.