With Thanksgiving marking the jump off point into the holiday season, lots of us are beginning our gift shopping battles in the Black Friday and Christmas sales, or taking some well-deserved time off. However, it’s critical to keep in mind that cyberbullies never take a holiday. To ensure that we are safeguarding our online presence against potential hackers and scammers it is essential to adopt a safety-focused mindset to protect our confidential information.
We’ve prepared some do’s and don’ts to help you strengthen your cybersecurity and safeguard your personal information from potential hackers. This information can help protect you during this busy time when you may be online more often than usual, shopping for gifts, or even just sharing the holiday cheer on social media.
Positive Online Habits
Let’s begin with the do’s. Above all, the most important factor in your online behavior should be maintaining a safety-oriented mindset. Be circumspect when sharing any sensitive information online. Make sure to use a strong, unique password for every online platform you are using; reusing passwords can contribute to an increased risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime. It’s also recommended to activate two-factor authentication whenever possible, as it adds an extra layer to your defense line against hackers.
Please exercise caution when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. Despite their convenience, they can serve as perfect grounds for cybercrooks to deploy their schemes. Cyberhackers often set up insecure or even entirely fraudulent networks in busy places like airports or coffee shops, lying in wait for their unsuspecting victims to log in – an action that grants them access to the victim’s sensitive information. Whenever you find yourself needing to use public Wi-Fi, we strongly recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) which encrypts your connection, keeping your data away from prying eyes.
Further, in terms of your social media, it is essential to set your profiles to private and limit whom you accept as followers, especially if you do not recognize or know them. This step will reduce the risk of unfriendly parties gaining access to your personal information.
Negative Online Habits
Moving onto the don’ts. Avoid sharing personal information such as your home address, pet names, or intricate details about your life online. Hackers often use this type of information to answer security questions and gain unauthorized access to your accounts. Additionally, exercise discernment with any link you encounter online. If an offer seems too good to be true, it most likely is. This is particularly crucial to remember during the holiday shopping season, when spam emails and promotional messages promising incredible deals may make an appearance in your inbox.
Please resist the temptation to click on these links. For instance, if you find an attractive deal in a promotion for a clothing store, go to the store’s website or app directly instead of clicking the link. The same is applicable for apps such as Venmo – if you receive any requests, open the app independently rather than clicking through the link. These types of links can be part of a phishing scam, which proliferate during the holiday season.
The most dangerous mindset of all is believing “I won’t get targeted by hackers”. The bitter truth is, hackers often target medium to small sized companies or individuals, as they are perceived as easier targets compared to larger corporations with potentially superior security measures.
Merry, Bright, and Secure
Keeping up with online security trends can sometimes be overwhelming, but it is critical – especially during this time of the year. Always err on the side of caution, prioritizing safety over mere convenience. That way, you can fully enjoy the holiday season to the fullest.
Should you need further assistance in this matter, please feel free to reach out. We have an array of services and solutions available that could help better protect you online during the holiday season and beyond.
Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday season ahead!