As we approach the festive season, cybercriminals are ramping up their efforts to exploit increased online activity and seasonal goodwill.
To ensure both your professional and personal safety, here are some tips, that we hope you’ll find helpful, to help you stay secure online during the Christmas period.
1. Watch Out for Holiday-Themed Phishing Emails
Cybercriminals often send fake emails disguised as:
• Delivery notifications claiming issues with parcels from carriers like Royal Mail, DHL, or Evri.
• Charity appeals asking for donations to bogus causes.
• Exclusive sales or gift card offers, enticing you to click malicious links.
What to do:
• Be cautious with unsolicited emails, even if they appear festive or urgent.
• Verify the sender's email address (e.g., legitimate senders rarely use public domains like @gmail.com).
• Hover over links before clicking to check their legitimacy.
2. Fake Shopping Websites and Social Media Ads
Fraudulent websites offering incredible deals on popular items spike during Christmas. Once you enter your payment details, scammers can steal your money or personal data.
What to do:
• Stick to reputable retailers and check for “https://” and a padlock icon in the address bar.
• Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
• Use secure payment methods like PayPal or credit cards with buyer protection.
3. Be Careful with Public Wi-Fi
Shopping while out and about? Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making it easy for attackers to intercept your data.
What to do:
• Avoid entering sensitive information (e.g., passwords, card details) when using public Wi-Fi.
• Use your mobile data or a VPN for added protection.
4. Social Engineering Scams
Scammers often target businesses over Christmas by impersonating colleagues or managers. This might include fake requests to:
• Approve unusual payments or invoices.
• Transfer money to unknown accounts.
• Share sensitive business information.
What to do:
• Double-check requests for urgent financial actions by calling the requester directly.
• Report suspicious messages
5. Protect Your Personal Devices
Many of us will work remotely or check emails on personal devices over the holidays. These can be prime targets for attackers.
What to do:
• Ensure your antivirus software is up to date.
• Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts, and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Keep your operating system and apps updated with the latest security patches.
Recent Examples of Threats to Be Aware Of:
• Amazon and PayPal phishing scams: Fake emails prompting you to resolve “account issues” by clicking malicious links.
• Crypto giveaway scams: Fraudsters promise holiday “rewards” in exchange for personal details or cryptocurrency.
• QR code scams: Scammers use malicious QR codes in fake holiday promotions to steal your data or infect devices.
Let’s make cybersecurity a priority this festive season and ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for all.
Stay vigilant and stay safe!