Ah, the holiday season—full of festive lights, peppermint lattes, and, of course, marathon online shopping sessions. Who doesn’t love finding the perfect gift without battling crowded malls and overenthusiastic salespeople? But while you’re clicking through online deals and hunting for the best discounts, there’s one group of folks that’s just as excited as you are: cybercriminals.
That’s right—‘tis the season for more than just joy and cheer. With the rise in online shopping during the holidays, hackers and scammers are on high alert, looking to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. Phishing scams, fraudulent websites, and identity theft incidents skyrocket during November and December. The good news? You can enjoy your online shopping spree and still keep your financial information safe by following a few simple cybersecurity practices.
Here are some practical (and a little humorous) cybersecurity tips to make sure the only thing getting hacked this holiday season is your tree’s decorative lights.
Table of Contents
1. Check Your Website Twice (Like Santa Does)
Just as Santa double-checks his naughty and nice list, you should double-check the legitimacy of any website before entering your credit card information. Cybercriminals are masters at creating fake shopping sites that look almost identical to legitimate stores. You know, like that “Amaz0n.com” site that somehow has all the holiday deals.
How to spot a fake site:
- Check the URL carefully: Make sure it begins with “https” (the “s” is for “secure”) and watch out for slight misspellings or extra characters.
- Look for a padlock symbol: The little padlock icon next to the URL indicates the site uses encryption to protect your information.
- Research the seller: If you’re not familiar with the store, Google it first and check for customer reviews.
2. Use Strong Passwords (Not ‘Holiday123’)
If your go-to passwords are still something like “password123” or your dog’s name, we need to have a chat. Using weak, easily guessable passwords is like leaving your front door wide open with a sign that says, “Thieves welcome!” Cybercriminals use automated tools to guess passwords quickly, so don’t make it easy for them.
What to do instead:
- Use a unique password for every online shopping account.
- Make your passwords long. I recommend an easy-for-you to remember but hard-for-others to guess long passphrases like “ISecretlyLikeTaylorSwift!”
- Consider using a password manager to store all your login credentials securely. It saves you the headache of remembering a dozen complex passwords, and keeps the hackers guessing.
Pro Tip: To learn more about building secure passwords and avoiding common pitfalls, check out my course, Personal Cybersecurity Protection, on HomeTechHacker Academy. It’s packed with easy-to-follow tips for safeguarding your digital identity.
3. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): The Digital Deadbolt
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is like the deadbolt on your digital front door. Even if a cybercriminal gets hold of your password, 2FA requires them to have a second form of verification (like a text message code or an app prompt) to gain access to your account. That means they’d need to steal your phone too!
As I often recommend in my cybersecurity articles and presentations, enable 2FA on every account that offers it, especially your email and financial accounts. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in securing your information.
4. Beware of ‘Too Good to Be True’ Deals
Found the latest iPhone for 80% off on a random site? It’s probably a scam. Cybercriminals know that we’re more likely to fall for deals when we’re in a shopping frenzy. They’ll use limited-time offers, impossible discounts, and even fake emails from legitimate companies to trick you into giving up your information.
If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to reputable retailers, and if you’re tempted to click on a deal, go directly to the store’s official website instead of clicking through an email link.
Pro Tip: My book, The Personal Cybersecurity Manual, teaches you how to recognize these scams and keep your data safe. It’s like a holiday gift for yourself that pays dividends in digital peace of mind.
5. Skip Public Wi-Fi for Shopping Sprees
Sure, it’s convenient to shop while sipping a latte at your favorite café, but public Wi-Fi is like a playground for hackers. Anyone on the same network may be able to intercept the data you’re sending and receiving.
What to do instead:
- Shop at home using your secured Wi-Fi network.
- If you absolutely must shop on the go, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your data, making it much harder for hackers to spy on your online activities.
6. Keep Your Software Up-to-Date
I know, software updates can be a pain. But ignoring them is like skipping the flu shot during flu season—it’s a risky move. Software updates often include security patches that protect against the latest threats. So before you go on your shopping spree, make sure your operating system, browser, and security software are up-to-date.
7. Monitor Your Financial Accounts Regularly
Don’t wait until January to review your bank statements. Make it a habit to check your accounts frequently during the holiday season. Look out for any suspicious transactions, no matter how small. Hackers often test stolen card details with small charges before going on a spending spree.
Pro Tip: Set up alerts with your bank or credit card provider so you’re notified immediately if there’s any unusual activity. It’s like having your own digital watchdog.
8. Use a Credit Card Instead of a Debit Card
When it comes to online shopping, credit cards are generally safer than debit cards. Credit cards offer better consumer protections, and if your information is compromised, it’s easier to dispute fraudulent charges without affecting your main bank account.
So leave the debit card in your wallet and opt for the credit card instead—your future self will thank you.
Editor’s Note: If you are looking for more help with your holiday season, be sure to check out our articles about online shopping tools and gifts for tech lovers.
Final thoughts
The holiday season is meant to be merry, not marred by the headache of identity theft or fraud. You can enjoy your online shopping experience without having to look over your shoulder (digitally speaking, of course) by taking the precautions mentioned in this article.
If you want more in-depth tips on safeguarding your digital life, check out my Personal Cybersecurity Protection course or grab a copy of The Personal Cybersecurity Manual. Think of it as a gift to yourself—one that keeps giving long after the holiday season is over.
Happy (and safe) shopping!
