The holiday season is here, and that means sales, deals, and shopping sprees galore. From Black Friday through Cyber Monday, millions of shoppers head online in search of the perfect gifts at unbeatable prices. But while you’re checking names off your list, cybercriminals are checking theirs too - and they’re hoping to snag your personal and financial information along the way.
Online shopping is incredibly convenient, but it can also be risky if you’re unprotected. Fortunately, a few simple precautions can help you shop confidently and keep hackers on the naughty list where they belong. Follow these steps to protect your information and enjoy a safer holiday shopping season.
Step #1: Shop on Secure Networks
Before entering any personal or financial information online, make sure you’re connected to a private, secure Wi-Fi network. Public Wi-Fi hotspots, such as those found in airports, coffee shops, or retail stores, are convenient but not always safe. Cybercriminals can easily intercept data transmitted over open networks, including passwords, credit card numbers, and account logins.
If you need to make a purchase on the go, use your mobile carrier’s data connection or a trusted virtual private network (VPN). And always double-check that the website address begins with “https://”, where the “s” indicates the site uses encryption to protect your data and is secure.
Step #2: Keep Your Devices & Software Updated
Before you begin your Cyber Monday shopping spree, take a few minutes to ensure all your devices are up to date. Your smartphone, laptop, and tablet should be running the latest versions of their operating systems, browsers, and security software.
Hackers often exploit outdated software that lacks recent security patches. By staying current with system updates, antivirus tools, and malware protection, you close the digital doors that cybercriminals use to sneak in.
Tips to Protect Your Devices:
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Update your device’s operating system and browser to the latest versions.
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Make sure antivirus and malware protection programs are installed and up to date.
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Enable automatic updates whenever possible to maintain continuous protection.
Think of updates as your digital flu shot - they keep your devices strong and resilient through the busiest online shopping season of the year.
Step #3: Beware of Holiday “Deals” That Seem Too Good to Be True
The holidays are prime time for online scams. Fraudsters know shoppers are in a rush and may not double-check details before clicking “Buy Now.” If a deal seems unusually generous or comes from a retailer you’ve never heard of, proceed with extreme caution, or not at all.
Red Flags of a Potential Scam Site:
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Prices are significantly lower than those of major retailers.
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Missing contact information or generic customer service emails.
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Poor website design, broken links, or spelling or grammatical errors.
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Requests for payment through wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Stick to trusted retailers or well-known marketplaces. When in doubt, search for reviews or complaints online before completing your purchase. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Step #4: Be Wary of Holiday Emails & Texts
Your inbox is about to overflow with sales announcements, coupon codes, and “exclusive” deals, but not all of them are legitimate. Phishing scams often appear as emails or text messages from well-known retailers, shipping companies, or even financial institutions, luring you to click on links that lead to fake websites designed to steal your data.
How to Stay Safe:
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Don’t click links in unsolicited messages or pop-up ads. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the address into your browser.
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Check sender details carefully. Scammers often use slightly misspelled domains (like “Amaz0n.com” instead of “Amazon.com”).
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Avoid opening attachments from unknown senders. File attachments can contain malware designed to compromise your device.
Bonus Tip: Hover your mouse over a link before clicking to preview its true destination. If the URL looks suspicious or unfamiliar, steer clear.
Step #5: Pay Through Secure Methods
When shopping online, your payment method matters. Credit cards provide stronger protection than debit cards because they don’t directly pull funds from your checking account and usually offer better fraud dispute processes.
Mobile wallet payments, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, utilize a technology called tokenization. Instead of transmitting your actual credit card number, they send a one-time digital “token,” keeping your real information hidden from merchants and potential hackers.
Security Advantages of Mobile Wallets:
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Your payment data is encrypted and never shared directly with the retailer.
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Fingerprint or facial recognition encryption adds another layer of security.
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You can turn off lost or stolen devices remotely to protect your accounts.
Step #6: Monitor & Protect Your Accounts
Even with every precaution, it’s smart to keep an eye on your financial accounts during the holiday season. With extra spending and increased online activity, unusual charges can slip through unnoticed.
Enabling real-time alerts and notifications for your accounts is one of the best ways to stay on top of potential fraud. Consider setting notifications for:
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Purchases that exceed a certain dollar amount.
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ATM withdrawals or debit card usage.
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Suspicious transactions or login attempts.
Early detection is key. The sooner you catch unauthorized activity, the faster you can take action to protect your finances.
Bonus Tip: Consider enabling Card Controls through Mobile Banking. You can instantly turn your debit or credit card on or off if it’s misplaced or you suspect fraud.
Step #7: Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Before creating or updating online shopping accounts, take a moment to strengthen your passwords. Weak or reused passwords are among the easiest ways for cybercriminals to gain access to your information.
Create passwords that are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid personal information, such as names or birthdays, and consider using a password manager to securely store and generate complex passwords for each site.
If an account offers multi-factor authentication (MFA) - where you confirm your identity with a text, email, or biometric scan - enable it. It adds an extra layer of protection, even if your password is compromised.
We’re Here to Help!
Shopping online during the holidays is supposed to be fun - not stressful. By following these simple steps, you can protect your personal and financial information, reduce your risk of fraud, and keep your focus on the joy of the season rather than worrying about cyber threats.
If you have questions about protection services, such as mobile wallets and account alerts, or suspect you were a victim of fraud, we’re here to help. Please stop by the Credit Union or call 410-908-7618 to speak with a team member today.