The holiday season brings joy, family gatherings, and festive cheer, but it also attracts cybercriminals seeking to exploit the increased online activity. With the surge in online shopping, the risk of falling victim to cyber-attacks escalates. Therefore, maintaining heightened cybersecurity awareness during this period is essential. Here are crucial tips to protect yourself and your data during the festive season:
Deceptive online Tactics
Deceptive online tactics occurs when criminals employ fraudulent emails, text messages, or phone calls to deceive their targets, typically aiming to prompt visits to specific websites. These sites may unleash computer viruses or pilfer sensitive information, such as bank details. During the current period, phishing scams are on the rise, taking advantage of heightened gadget and technology usage.
Watch for signs like generic greetings (“Dear Sir/Madam” or “valued customer”) without direct references to your name and be alert to grammar and spelling errors in communications. Exercise caution with any suspicious links or attachments in emails, refraining from clicking on them. To verify the authenticity of a message, it’s advisable to contact the company directly. Additionally, promptly report any dubious messages or deceptive online tactics attempts to the National Cyber Security Centre for government intervention. Stay vigilant to protect yourself from falling prey to phishing schemes.
Ensuring Secure Online Shopping
Online shopping offers undeniable convenience, particularly during festive seasons. However, prioritizing security is paramount when making online purchases.
Before sharing personal and financial details on any website, ensure its legitimacy and security features. Look for “https” in the address bar and a padlock icon, indicating a secure and encrypted connection.
Create robust, unique passwords for online shopping accounts, incorporating a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts to prevent potential compromises.
Exercise caution with deals that significantly deviate from typical prices or make extravagant promises. Thoroughly research sellers and products before making a purchase; if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.
When shopping in public spaces with available Wi-Fi options, be cautious. Public Wi-Fi can be insecure, allowing criminals to intercept data. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for financial transactions whenever possible to safeguard your information.
Online Networking Platforms
During the festive season, although social media platforms offer a way for people to connect with loved ones, they are also ripe for scams and malware, posing potential risks. Festive spirits often lead individuals to share abundant personal information without considering the repercussions.
This data can become a target for cyber-attacks, enabling scammers to gain unauthorized access to accounts, pilfer personal information, or engage in identity theft. To safeguard yourself, exercise caution in sharing information.
Be vigilant when engaging with posts and direct messages, particularly those containing suspicious links or attachments. Prior to clicking, hover over the link to confirm its legitimacy. If the website appears unfamiliar or unrelated to the message, refrain from clicking. If a message from a known contact seems unusual, verify its authenticity through a trusted communication channel.
Similarly, approach messages requesting urgent money or personal information from businesses with skepticism. Legitimate organizations never seek sensitive details via social media.
While social media serves as a marketplace, exercise caution when sharing bank details on buy-and-sell platforms. Refrain from using provided links for purchases, opting for cash transactions when meeting to collect items, as it generally enhances safety compared to electronic fund transfers.