Cybersecurity Threats to Avoid During the Holiday Season
The holiday period is predominantly marked by a notable increase in consumer expenditure, with digital promotions for Black Friday and Cyber Monday facilitating the ongoing transition from traditional shopping to online purchasing. As consumers enthusiastically flock to websites, applications, and digital marketplaces in search of bargains, cybercriminals are ready to take advantage of these trends and behaviors for nefarious purposes.
The hectic nature of the holiday season frequently results in errors and oversights, which cybercriminals exploit amid the heightened online activity linked to holiday shopping. The substantial influx of traffic that online retailers experience during this time presents numerous opportunities for malicious actors to target consumers and perpetrate crimes such as ransomware attacks, identity theft, financial fraud, and more. Regrettably, individual consumers are not the sole victims of these threats.
Common Types of Attacks
In their attempts to execute successful attacks, threat actors deploy a multitude of tactics. A few popular types of scams to look out for during the holiday season include:
- Phishing campaigns target individuals with emails and texts imitating trusted retailers, enticing them with links to fake deals or shipping notifications that redirect to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and payment information.
- Malvertising describes the placement of malicious ads on legitimate websites to redirect users to harmful sites or install malware on their devices.
- Fake websites and applications created by cybercriminals imitate popular retailers to trick shoppers into sharing sensitive information.
- Credential stuffing attacks occur when cybercriminals leverage credentials that have been compromised in previous attacks to hijack user accounts and make unauthorized purchases.
- Infostealers is a term for malware that is distributed through fake downloads or malicious links to harvest sensitive information like credit card details and passwords.
Best Practices
- If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often lure victims with enticing ads and emails. Avoid clicking on links and visit verified retailers to confirm current deals.
- Slow down and stay on your toes. Always take a second to look for red flags. In emails and text messages, look closely for signs of fraud such as spelling errors, unexpected attachments, and unusual email domains. If opting to shop within an app, ensure your downloads are sourced only from trusted marketplaces like Google Play or the Apple App Store.
- Pay close attention to account activity. Keep a close eye on financial statements from your bank and credit card company, especially after making online purchases. Monitor for unusual charges or unauthorized transactions, and report any suspicious activity to your institution immediately.
- Always utilize the latest software. Whether you’re shopping on your phone, laptop, or tablet, it is important to keep up with software and application updates. Outdated operating systems and software can harbor unpatched vulnerabilities that attackers can easily exploit, increasing the likelihood of falling victim to one of these scams.
- Keep your accounts secure. Update passwords often and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible. This extra layer of security can help prevent unauthorized access even when credentials may be compromised.
