The holiday season brings for a ton of online shopping. This also means that you will be regularly sharing valuable information like your credit card number numerous times throughout the web. This is primetime for cybersecurity hackers to get your information. This holiday season, be aware of the tricks that cyber criminals try to pull. Here are some tips to beef up your cyber security before Black Friday.
Ad Blockers
One security market trend that we have seen over the years is that cyber criminals are using fake ads on the web and also on social media to get you to click on. This gives them the opportunity to download malware onto your system and potentially steal your information. The best way to combat this is by using ad blockers and tracker blockers on your web browser. This will keep protected from pop-up ads that are gateways to your information for cyber criminals.
Do Your Research
Internet connected devices have the potential for being hacked. Tons of IoT devices are vulnerable to hacking. Do your research on which devices have been hacked. Just because a wireless security camera is from a major brand does not mean that it is impervious to cyber break ins.
Phishing
Every year, there is an influx of phishing emails that occur around the holiday season, and more specifically, around Black Friday. Be wary of emails that offer early-bird sales and coupon codes for you do download. A lot of these phishing emails are malware. Unless it comes directly from the retailer, it’s best to not trust it. You can always hover over the URL to see if it is in fact taking you to the company website.
And be aware of emails that use bad grammar and with many misspellings. Many would be hackers are from foreign countries and use translators to send out phishing emails. So, if you see an email about a Black Friday deal that seems like it was written by a four-year-old (no offense to four-year-olds), it’s probably a scam.
Manage Your Purchases
It is scary to think about, but someone might already have your credit card information, but are saving it. Why would a cyber criminal do that? Credit card companies are pretty good about flagging irregular purchases, but during days like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, you’ll probably make multiple purchases that are different from the norm, making it difficult for your credit card company to protect you. You will need to keep a strict eye on your statements to make sure nothing is awry and alert your credit card company if you recognize purchases you didn’t make.
Change Your Passwords
We know it is inconvenient to change your passwords often, but it is one of the best things you can do to protect your security. The longer a cyber attacker has to potentially break your password, the more at risk you become. This happens when passwords are never changed. It gives cyber criminals all the time they need to break your password. It is also a good idea to have different passwords for different websites. If a cyber criminal gets through your one password, they could potentially have access to everything you are connected to online.
If online retailers offer two-factor authentication, we recommend signing up for that capability. It is much more secure and protects your data better than a single sign in.
Be Wary of Apps You Download
You want to make sure that you stay away from shady third-party apps. It is best to stay on official app stores or download from store retailers to make sure you aren’t downloading a malicious application on your phone.
Another way to protect your family and possessions is with AvantGuard. AvantGuard is an industry leader in security monitoring. Reach out to find out what we can do for you or your business.
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