Stay Safe Against Cybercriminals This Holiday Season

Like most people, you do a lot of your holiday shopping online. It’s convenient, easy, and often cheaper than brick-and-mortar stores. But as convenient and easy as it is to shop online, it’s also just as easy for cyber criminals to target you and your personal information.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe against cyber criminals while buying gifts online:

1. Only shop on secure websites. Secure websites will have an https:// in the URL and will usually have a padlock icon next to the URL. Avoid shopping on websites that are not secure.

2. Use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards offer better protection against fraud than debit cards. If you use a debit card, make sure it is a Visa or Mastercard branded debit card, as they offer more protection against fraud than other debit cards.

3. Do not save your credit card information on any website. Cybercriminals can sometimes access saved credit card information, even on secure websites.

4. Use a strong password for your online account. A strong password is at least eight characters long and includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessed passwords such as your birthdate or child’s name.

5. Keep your computer and browser up to date. Install the latest security updates for your operating system and web browser. These updates often include fixes for security vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.

Common Ways Cybercriminals Take Your Info

There are many ways that cybercriminals can take people’s information. One common method is phishing scams. Phishing scams involve criminals sending fake emails or texts that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or credit card company. These messages often contain links to fake websites that look real but are designed to steal people’s login credentials or other sensitive information.

Another way that cybercriminals can take people’s information is by installing malware on their computers. Once installed, malware can allow criminals to access the infected computer and steal any stored data remotely. Malware can be installed through various methods, including email attachments, drive-by downloads, and malicious ads.

Yet another way that cybercriminals can take people’s information is by using social engineering techniques. Social engineering is tricking people into giving up sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. Criminals often use social engineering to target companies’ or organizations’ employees to gain access to sensitive data.

Ultimately, there are many ways that cybercriminals can take people’s information. By being aware of these methods and taking steps to protect yourself, you can help keep your information safe from criminals. Following these tips can help protect yourself against cyber criminals this holiday season. Happy shopping!