Cheers to a Cybersecure Holiday Shopping Season!

Written by Nathan Woolard

            The gift giving season is just around the corner, and the thrill of hunting down the perfect presents is sure to kick in full force.  However, if COVID-19 has you doing some or all of your shopping online, take a little extra time to protect yourself.  If you’re not staying on guard, it can be easy to fall into the traps laid by cybercriminals to steal your personal and financial information, so be alert and follow these tips to make sure your holiday stays merry:

• Keep your devices clean.  Before you start searching, make sure that your devices – computers, phones, tablets, and the like – are up-to-date and clear of malware and infections.
• Don’t make purchases on public Wi-Fi.  While it might be convenient to do some shopping while sitting at the café, the connection is far less secure and your data could be easily intercepted.
• Avoid scam websites.  The flurry of online ads and special email offers may be tempting, but don’t click any link that you don’t know is safe.  If you’re suspicious about an ad or email, go directly to the company’s website to verify its legitimacy.
• Do some research.  Many phony sites and businesses crop up online at this time of year.  Before making a purchase, check out reviews that others have left about the merchant in question, and look for information about customer service or a physical business location.
• Check the security policies.  Ensure that the retailers you select have privacy protection installed on their websites.  If there is a small lock icon in the corner of your URL bar, and if the URL itself begins with “https”, then the site will mask any data you share.  Be wary of providing information on any site that lacks the lock icon or begins with “http” without the “s.”
• Consider other payment options.  Credit cards have more consumer protections and are therefore safer to use than debit cards.  Other third party services, such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo, can be used to pay for your purchases without directly giving out your credit card information.  These digital wallets cover up your card info so the merchant just sees a one-time code that is only good for that purchase.  Then, if a hacker or thief accesses the store’s records, they won’t be able to see any of your card or bank details.
• Don’t save your card information to your accounts.  It’s convenient to save this info for faster checkout from your most frequented retailers, but some websites might not be properly equipped to protect your data, leaving you vulnerable to potential breaches.
• Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements.  Regularly checking your accounts is a surefire way to spot any unauthorized transactions.  For some extra assistance, consider setting up alerts to receive a text or email whenever your credit card is used.

Even while caught up in the hustle and bustle of your holiday shopping, don’t forget to give yourself the gift of cyber security.  These tips may not bring peace on Earth, but they’ll at least bring you peace of mind!