The holiday season brings a surge in online activity, with individuals shopping for gifts and businesses ramping up eCommerce operations to meet demand. Unfortunately, this festive flurry also creates a prime opportunity for cybercriminals to strike, using scams, phishing attacks, and other malicious tactics to exploit the distractions and urgency of the season.
These holiday cyberthreats can compromise personal data, disrupt businesses, and inflict significant financial harm. Staying vigilant during this time of year is essential. In this guide, we’ll uncover the top threats to watch out for and share tips to help you stay protected.
Holiday cyberthreats and risks watch out for
Holiday cyberthreats come in many forms, targeting individuals, businesses through their employees, or businesses as a whole. The top five most prominent examples of holiday cyberthreats include:
Fake eCommerce sites
The holiday season is a prime time for cybercriminals to set up fake eCommerce websites, luring gift shoppers with deals that seem too good to pass up. These fraudulent sites often mimic legitimate retailers, complete with professional-looking logos, product descriptions, and checkout pages. Shoppers may unknowingly enter their credit card details or personal information, only to have their data stolen or receive counterfeit — or no — products in return.
Stay safe by shopping with trusted retailers and carefully inspecting the URLs of unfamiliar sites. Check the address bar for security indicators such as the “https” prefix or the padlock symbol. If a deal feels suspiciously generous, it’s worth investigating further before proceeding.
Malware hidden in holiday apps
Holiday-themed apps, from shopping trackers to festive games, are a popular way to enhance the holiday experience. However, some of these apps come with hidden dangers. Cybercriminals often disguise malware in seemingly harmless downloads, using these apps to steal sensitive data or compromise devices. Once installed, malicious apps can access personal information, track activity, or even deliver ransomware.
Avoid malware-infected apps by restricting your downloads to official app stores. Even then, review app permissions carefully before installing. If an app requests access to unnecessary data (such as a shopping tracker asking for phone call logs), it’s a red flag. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy festive apps without putting your devices or personal information at risk.
Holiday phishing scams
Phishing scams come out in force during the holiday season as cybercriminals try to slip their fraudulent emails among the dense volume of online shopping and festive communication. Hackers design realistic emails, messages, and advertisements to deceive users into sharing sensitive data.
A common scam is the fake order confirmation, where you’re urged to click a link to fix a “problem” with a recent purchase. Another popular tactic involves fraudulent charity donation requests that prey on holiday goodwill with urgent calls for help. In these and many other cases, the result is your financial information and login credentials end up in the hands of criminals.
Protect yourself by confirming the legitimacy of any unexpected message. Rather than clicking on provided links in emails or text messages, visit the retailer’s official website or reach out to the organization directly. Also keep in mind that trustworthy charities won’t rush you into making decisions.
Public Wi-Fi
Despite their convenience, the public Wi-Fi networks in malls, airports, and coffee shops lack proper security, making them easy for cybercriminals to compromise to get at you. Using methods such as man-in-the-middle attacks, hackers can intercept sensitive data, including your private messages, credit card information, or log-in credentials, as it travels through the Wi-Fi network.
As much as possible, don’t use public Wi-Fi to access sensitive data. Instead, switch to your mobile data for a more secure connection. If public Wi-Fi is your only option,
use a virtual private network (VPN) to secure your internet connection and your data.
Ransomware
During the holiday season, businesses are especially vulnerable to ransomware attacks, as cybercriminals capitalize on reduced staffing and the heightened demand for eCommerce. With many employees on vacation and systems operating under pressure, companies may be less equipped to spot and respond to threats. Examples include attacks where ransomware locks down a company’s files, demanding payment for their release, or even threats to leak sensitive data if the ransom isn’t paid.
Fortunately, maintaining regular data backups ensures quick recovery following an attack. Meanwhile, strengthening the security of hardware — including computers, routers, and mobile devices — with firewalls, encryption, and security software can significantly reduce the risk of a successful breach.
Additional security tips to guard against holiday cyberthreats
On top of the previously mentioned measures, there are various other ways you can protect yourself and your business against seasonal cyberthreats.
- Enable multifactor authentication (MFA): Add a login step such as a biometric scan or a code sent to your phone to prevent unauthorized access to accounts, even if your passwords get stolen.
- Keep software updated: Install updates for devices, apps, and systems to patch vulnerabilities cybercriminals might exploit.
- Monitor financial accounts: Set up transaction alerts to notify you of recent credit card and bank activity. Additionally, regularly review your accounts to catch any unauthorized charges.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Avoid reusing passwords. Use a password manager application to create and store secure passwords for all accounts.
- Raise awareness: Educate employees or family members about recognizing phishing scams, suspicious links, and other threats.
Staying vigilant against holiday cyberthreats is essential to protecting your personal and business data during this busy season. For expert guidance and robust managed cybersecurity solutions, contact predictiveIT today and keep your holiday worry-free.
