Staying Safe Online Over Christmas
The Christmas season has arrived, bringing a surge of online shopping deals. With events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, more people are turning to online shopping as an easy way to snag the best bargains before the holiday. However, this time of year is often a prime time for cyber criminals. Recent reports suggest that 48% of those shopping online around the Christmas period have fallen victim to cyber scams. Therefore, it is important to protect ourselves from online crimes by remaining vigilant and being aware of what to look out for. This blog offers practical tips to help you stay safe online this Christmas.
Common Online Scams
Fake websites: Online fraudsters may create fake websites that mimic well-known brands. These are designed to trick victims in to handing over their personal information and bank details. These websites may advertise products at a drastically low price in order to lure shoppers.
Phishing emails or texts: Phishing refers to when cyber criminals send scam emails (or text messages) that contain links to malicious websites. These emails or text messages appear to be from legitimate brands or websites but are actually used to steal payment details or personal information.
Gift card scams: Whilst gift cards may be a popular choice of present, they are also a tool for online scams. Criminals may sell fake or tampered gifts cards, or make people pay hand over gift card codes.
Social media: Over the festive season, social media is full of giveaways and ads. It is important to be vigilant and verify the legitimacy of some social media ads and giveaways.
Delivery scams: Delivery scams involve hackers creating fake delivery notifications through email or text, notifying the victim that there is an issue with their parcel. This often requests for the individual to input personal or financial details to resolve this issue. It is important to verify the sender of these emails or texts before clicking on any links.
How to Stay Safe While Shopping Online
1. Shop on familiar and trusted websites: Try and stick to websites that you trust and that you have used previously without any issues. If you do use a website that you have not used before, verify it’s legitimacy by looking at reviews and checking that the website has a secure encryption (this is indicated by a padlock symbol in the address bar and “https” in the URL).
2. Avoid clicking on unsolicited links: Be wary of clicking on links from emails or texts before checking the legitimacy of the sender. If you would like to talk to someone about a parcel, go to their website directly. This will avoid the risk of accessing fraudulent websites.
3. Use secure payment methods: Where possible, ensure that they payment method that you use offers protection. Paying by credit card offers more protection against fraud than a debit card. Additionally, payment services such as PayPal also offer another layer of protection.
4. Enable two-factor authentication: Many online shopping websites now offer two-factor authentication which requires you to add a second form of verification before logging in to your account. This adds an extra layer of security, helping to prevent hackers from logging in to your account and accessing your information.
5. Keep an eye on your bank statements: It is important to monitor your bank statements all year but especially during the festive season. Keep an eye out for any suspicious transactions and report anything unusual to your bank immediately.
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
Report the Scam to Your Bank: The first step is to contact your bank or financial provider immediately if you notice any unauthorised transactions. They can often help you stop payments by blocking your card or issue a new card if your information has been compromised.
Change Your Passwords: Think about updating the passwords for your online accounts and ensuring each profile has a unique one. This helps protect your other accounts from unauthorised access. Create strong passwords that include a mix of special characters, numbers, and avoid using personal information that hackers could easily uncover.
Report the Scam to Action Fraud: Action Fraud is the UK’s national centre for reporting fraud and cybercrime. By reporting scams, authorities are able to track and address fraud, helping to prevent others from being targeted. You can find their website here: actionfraud.police.uk
The holidays are a season of joy and celebration, but they also bring an increase in scams. By staying alert, practicing secure shopping habits, and recognising warning signs, you can enjoy the ease of online shopping while avoiding potential fraud.
Protecting Your Smart Devices Over Christmas
Many of our homes are filled with smart devices varying from security cameras to voice-activated assistants offering security, entertainment and convenience. During the festive season, sales of these smart gadgets soar. However, smart devices are often targeted by cyber criminals to gain access to personal data. As a result, it is important that these devices are as safe and secure as possible to avoid any risks to cyber crimes. Here are some practical steps to protect your smart devices during the Christmas season:
Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security by requiring you to confirm your identity through a another method. For example, a code sent to your phone. This makes it harder for hackers to access your device, even if they have your password. Additionally, many smart devices come with a default password, therefore it is important to create a unique and strong password for each device.
Regularly update firmware: Check for updates regularly and install them as soon as you can to stay protected with the latest security enhancements from the manufacturers. One way to do this is to enable automatic updates.
Separate wi-fi networks for smart devices: Consider using a separate Wi-Fi network for smart devices and another one for computers, tablets, and phones. Smart devices communicate with other devices over a shared network, meaning that if one device is compromised, others could be at risk.
Disable features that you do not use: If you do not need access to all the features on a smart device, disable them. This reduces the amount a ways a hacker can gain access. It is important to review the settings often and be aware of what features are in use and not in use.
Be cautious when downloading apps: When downloading apps on smart devices, only use official app stores, such as Google Play or Apple’s App Stores, to avoid the risk of malware. Also, be cautious about granting app permissions.
Monitor device activity and history: Monitor the log in activity of the device and which IP addresses have accessed them. This can alert you to any unusual log in attempts or unexpected activity. If you do notice anything unusual, you can take steps to improve the security of the device such as changing the password.
As you shop for the latest smart devices this holiday season, take time to plan how to secure them before connecting them to your home network. By taking these steps you can enjoy the convenience and excitement of your new gadgets while maintaining safety.
Stay Cyber Secure While Travelling This Christmas
Over Christmas, you may be getting ready to travel, whether that’s to visit family and friends or to take a local or overseas trip. As a result, it is vital to ensure that we consider cyber safety when travelling over this festive season. By keeping your devices secure, you can enjoy a stress-free and worry-less season.
Be wary of public wi-fi networks: Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecure and are often used by cyder criminals to steal your data. These Wi-Fi networks are often available in airports, restaurants, and shopping centres. If you do use public networks, avoid using apps or websites that hold personal and sensitive information. Instead consider using Virtual Private Network (VPN), which encrypts your internet connection, making it harder for hackers to access your data. Additionally, consider turning off auto-connect to available Wi-Fi networks on your devices to allow you to manually choose which networks that you are connected to.
Keep software and apps up to date: Download the latest software and security patches to keep your device up-to-date. This can protect your devices from known security threats and help keep your data safe during your travels.
Back up important data: Ensure that any important files, documents or photos are backed-up. Cloud services or external storage devices are a good way to protect important data. This will protect you if your device is lost, stolen or deleted.
Disable Bluetooth and location-sharing when not using: Bluetooth and location-sharing features can expose your device to cybercriminals who may exploit them to connect without your knowledge. Turn these features off when not in use to minimise the risk of unauthorised access or tracking.
Avoid public charging stations: While public charging stations in places like airports and cafes offer convenience, they can also pose security risks. Some are modified by attackers to install malware on devices through a method called “juice jacking.” To stay safe, use your own charger and plug it directly into a power outlet, or carry a portable battery pack for secure charging on the go.
Keep an eye on your accounts and device activity: When travelling, monitor your bank accounts and other critical accounts for unusual activity. Report any unauthorised transactions or logins to your bank or service provider immediately. Many apps also allow you to review login history, helping you detect and address any unauthorised access quickly.
With a few simple precautions, you can protect your devices and data while enjoying your holiday travels. Be cautious with public Wi-Fi, keep your software updated, and use strong security settings to maintain your digital safety.
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