Consumers can have fun shopping this holiday season – but they also need to take precautions and understand that attackers lie in wait.
Shopping and cyber-hygiene tips can help you stay safe as you get ready to buy.
Keep All Devices Clean
Make sure all your Internet-connected devices – including PCs, smartphones, and tablets – are running only the most current versions of software and apps.
Form a Wi-Fi Strategy
Don’t make purchases via public Wi-Fi unless it’s absolutely necessary, and if you have to use public Wi-Fi, make purchases over a VPN. You can also set up your phone as a local hotspot.
Have an Authentication and Password/Passphrase Plan
Create long and unique passwords/passphrases for all accounts and use multifactor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
Beware of Fraudulent E-commerce Sites
Do your homework, especially if you’re unfamiliar with a site.
Only Use Credit Cards for Online Shopping Purchases
Consumers are always better off using credit cards for online shopping than a bank card.
Don’t Share Too Much Information with Charities
If they request more data than you feel comfortable sharing, cancel the transaction. Only fill out the required fields at checkout and don’t save payment information in your profile.
